Assistant Project Archaeologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist to support renewable energy, transmission, and other industrial development projects, reporting into Sheridan, Wyoming. This position is a regular, full-time, hourly position and will be a combination of field- and office-based. Under supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, an Assistant Project Archaeologist leads field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members. Those with more experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on their overall qualifications and experience level.  

The successful candidate will manage fieldwork by supervising crews, and will assist with office-based tasks, including preparation of site forms, technical reports, and research in support of primarily renewable energy and transmission projects. Some projects include overtime hours and often require travel and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust. In addition, a technical (i.e., cell phone) allowance is offered.  

Anticipated work will occur primarily in Wyoming but will extend into adjacent states.  Candidates with previous experience in this geography are strongly preferred. 

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission. 

What you will accomplish

• Supervise fieldwork, including archaeological survey, testing, data recovery, and/or construction monitoring and ensure quality and completeness of data collected. Coordinates with Tribes, as appropriate. 
• Complete office-based tasks, including performing literature reviews, background research, site forms, technical reports, and regional archaeological research and synthesis. 
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork. 
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff. 
• Take responsibility for team safety, develops safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards. 
• For the assistant project archaeologist position, a key element of your job will be to supervise a small crew while conducting cultural resources fieldwork. This includes:
  • Independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
  • Ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely.
  • Serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers.
  • Receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field.
  • Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when correction action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications 

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology or a closely related field is required.  
• Three (3) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist.
• Has led crews of field technicians. 
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours (sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and at high altitudes), plus additional hours organizing paperwork/emails daily.
• Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to provide guidance and feedback on crew performance as per company guidelines. 
• Able to easily deal with the unexpected changes in weather, client needs, crew makeup or size, etc. 
• Organized and meticulous with ensuring survey, documentation, and paperwork are complete. 
• Excellent leadership and supervision abilities, including problem-solving, constructive conflict resolution, and decision making. 
• Qualified for listing on federal and statewide permits for Wyoming and/or adjacent states.

Preferred Qualifications 

• A Master’s degree is preferred. 
• Regional research focus, including presentation and/or publication history, is preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing. 
• Demonstrated skills relating to QA/QC review of field documents and site forms.  

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, nearly 1,700 staff, employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services.  Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.  

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. 

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. 

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. 

An employee in this Sheridan, Wyoming-based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $26.78 - $33.99/hr. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more. 

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success. 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers. 

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