Asst./Associate Project Archaeologist - Field Director

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Pasadena, CA

10d

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring an Assistant or Associate Project Archaeologist – Field Director for its Southern California Cultural Resource Program. Under the supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, the role performs field and office work and supervises archaeological survey, monitoring, and excavation crews. The Field Director manages fieldwork and may also prepare site forms and technical reports for projects involving renewable energy, oil and gas, energy transmission, transportation, and land development. The position manages cultural resources projects from budgeting, scheduling, scope development, research, and fieldwork through reporting and curation. It also involves client and agency coordination, technical review, quality assurance and control, proposal and work-plan preparation, and collaboration across offices and disciplines. The role contributes to business development and the continuing development of SWCA’s Cultural Resource Program, while maintaining scientific ethics and taking responsibility for team safety. The role supports projects throughout Southern California and is affiliated with either the Pasadena or Riverside, California office. Hybrid or remote candidates located within Southern California may also be considered. The position is primarily field-based and may involve domestic travel, overnight stays, overtime, and prevailing-wage projects. Project-related travel and lodging are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. This is a regular, full-time, hourly/non-exempt position with benefits. The Assistant level requires at least two years of relevant industry experience; the Associate level requires at least three years.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field; knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree or higher.
At least two years of relevant, progressively responsible experience; the Assistant level requires two or more years of relevant industry experience.
Two years of experience in cultural resources field activities, including leading archaeology crews across varied project types, sizes, regions, and agencies.
One year of project-management experience covering project aspects from pre-field tasks through final report preparation, across multiple regions and regulatory agencies.
Eligibility to be listed as a qualified Field Director under SWCA’s California Bureau of Land Management statewide permit.
Cultural resources management experience across varied project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing responsibility.
Experience with the archaeology of Southern California.
Expertise in federal, state, and local cultural-resource laws and regulations, including NEPA, NAGPRA, and Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Experience providing quality assurance and quality control review of field documents, site forms, and reports.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver requirements when driving is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification for work-related domestic travel when required.
Ability to hike over uneven terrain, lift and carry equipment weighing up to 25–50 pounds, and work outdoors in varying or extreme weather conditions.
Ability to follow safety procedures while potentially exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
Five years of cultural resources field experience, including leading archaeology crews across varied project types, sizes, regions, and agencies.
Two or more years of project-management experience covering work from pre-field tasks through final report preparation across multiple regions and regulatory agencies.
Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology, including at least one year of supervisory experience in prehistory and/or history.
Demonstrated technical writing skills and a record of completing technical reports on time.
Experience working with interdisciplinary teams of subject matter experts and planners.
Experience and interest in business development, proposal writing, and client management.
Experience supervising junior staff.
Experience collecting field data using modern mobile technology, including tablets, Bluetooth GPS receivers, and mobile software.
Three or more years of relevant industry experience for the Associate Project Archaeologist level.

Responsibilities

Manage and participate in cultural resources projects, including budgeting, scheduling, scope development and management, client management, research, fieldwork, report writing, and curation.
Lead or assist assigned projects, taking responsibility for technical approaches, project management, and quality assurance and control.
Manage project tasks and deliverables, including complex work under the direction of a senior project manager.
Supervise archaeological surveyors, monitors, and excavators and oversee fieldwork and project deliverables.
Prepare technical proposals, work plans, reports, literature reviews, site forms, and other project documentation.
Conduct or assist with technical reviews to ensure deliverables meet project requirements and professional standards.
Communicate and coordinate with clients, agencies, project managers, and interdisciplinary teams to meet project needs.
Collaborate with managers, directors, and principal investigators on technical work and business development.
Contribute to development of SWCA’s Cultural Resource Program and its professional reputation in Southern California and beyond.
Follow applicable regulatory, contractual, industry, and company requirements.
Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans when applicable, and anticipate potential hazards.
Complete other related work as assigned.