Project Archaeologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Houston, TX

3d•$35 - $45

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Project Archaeologist to support its Houston, Texas Gulf Coast team. This regular, full-time, hourly position is a core member of the Cultural Resources Program and manages cultural resources projects, including proposals, fieldwork, research, report writing, quality assurance and quality control reviews, and client, agency, and tribal relationships. Candidates based in the Houston area are preferred, though a distributed arrangement may be considered for a candidate in the Southeast U.S. The role is mostly office-based but includes occasional project visits and field Principal Investigator reviews. The Project Archaeologist leads or assists projects, takes responsibility for technical approaches and project management, develops deliverables for complex projects, and manages tasks under a senior project manager’s direction. The role involves collaborating with team members, making sound project and task decisions, communicating with clients and agencies, and ensuring deliverables meet project requirements and professional standards. The position also requires compliance with applicable regulations, standards, specifications, and company requirements. SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm that provides environmental services across the United States. It describes its workplace as collaborative and team-focused and emphasizes sustainability, learning, collaboration, community engagement, and career development. The expected pay range for this Houston-based position is $34.88 to $44.61 per hour, with actual pay depending on qualifications, experience, geographic location, and other permitted factors. Eligible employees may receive performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher, or an equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.
At least four years of relevant, progressively responsible experience.
A master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
Four years of cultural resources management experience across a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing responsibility.
Ability to lead projects or tasks from start to finish with guidance, serving as project manager for medium projects or task lead for large projects.
Ability to qualify as a Principal Investigator in Texas.
Ability to perform technical subject matter expert reviews of cultural resources deliverables.
Willingness to participate in drug and alcohol screening as part of pre-employment when required by project or client requirements.
A valid driver's license and ability to meet SWCA's driver requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel.
Ability to hike over uneven terrain, lift and carry equipment weighing 25–50 pounds, and work outdoors in varying or extreme weather conditions.
Ability to follow required safety procedures when exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions.

Nice To Haves

Seven years of experience in cultural resources management across a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing responsibility.
Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for archaeology.
Houston-area residence is preferred; a distributed arrangement may be considered for the right candidate in the Southeast U.S.

Responsibilities

Lead or assist assigned projects, taking responsibility for technical approaches, project management, and quality assurance and control.
Develop and manage deliverables for complex projects and manage tasks under the direction of a senior project manager.
Adapt methods to meet future client needs and stay current in the professional discipline.
Encourage team collaboration and effective information sharing.
Make project or task decisions using sound judgment and considering trade-offs within project parameters.
Develop and manage technical approaches and direct and conduct quality assurance and control tasks.
Review technical deliverables to ensure they meet project requirements and professional standards.
Communicate with clients and agencies, respond to their requirements, and develop professional relationships.
Complete project tasks promptly, resolve issues, support client satisfaction, and contribute to team collaboration.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Work with agency representatives to support successful project implementation.
Assist with technical proposals, research plans, Section 106-related reports, and literature reviews, with oversight from subject matter experts and project managers.
Nurture and develop agency relationships.
Oversee report deliverables in accordance with SWCA’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control program.
Write scientifically and technically sound cultural resources reports and research.
Perform technical subject matter expert reviews of cultural resources deliverables.
Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans when applicable, and anticipate potential safety hazards.
Perform other related work as assigned.