Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director to support our Pacific NW Cultural Resources Team. Under supervision of the Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Managers, an Assistant Project Archaeologist–Field Director performs field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members. Role will be primarily field based.  The candidate may be asked to submit to background screening and must be able to pass a drug test. This position is a regular (with benefits), full-time, hourly position.  

The Field Director will manage all aspects of fieldwork, supervising one or more crews of archaeological surveyors, monitors, and/or excavators. They may also assist with office-based tasks, including preparation of site forms and technical reports in support of a variety of renewable energy, energy transmission, and land development projects. Some projects 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. Fieldwork is anticipated throughout the Pacific Northwest, with immediate needs in Idaho. While candidates local to the Boise, Idaho area are strongly preferred, we encourage applicants from outside the state to apply if they meet the qualifications and are willing to travel. Fieldwork sessions typically last 8 to 10 days, and candidates should expect to be in the field approximately 50% of the month during field season. 

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.
• Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets with ESRI Field Maps, and Geodes. 
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork.
• Accurately identify historic and prehistoric artifacts and features, and train less experienced field crew in their identification.
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff.
• Assist with office-based tasks, as needed, including performing Class I literature reviews, research, site forms, technical report preparation, tracking milestones, schedules, and budgets.
• Communicate effectively when reporting to Team Leads, Principal Investigators, and Project Managers.
• Work independently in a responsible manner.
• Work within defined schedules and meet deadlines.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required qualifications:

• Qualified for listing on the BLM Statewide Idaho Cultural Use Permit as a Field Director as follows
  • Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field (i.e. history or architectural history), and have at least 12 months of pertinent professionally supervised experience, with increasing responsibility leading to duties as field director.
  • Three (3) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Pacific Northwest, and a minimum of 4 months of field experience in each of the geographic/cultural areas relevant to Idaho (i.e. the Snake River Plain, northern Great Basin, Columbia Plateau and/or regions adjoining portions of Idaho, such as Plains experience for Eastern Idaho).
  • Has led crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
  • Competence in recording, collecting, handling, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting cultural property data, relative to the type and scope of work proposed.
• Extremely 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.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing.
• Has demonstrated skills relating to QA/QC review of field documents and site forms.
• 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 travel for fieldwork sessions that are 8 to 10 days long. Ability to be away in the field approximately 50% of the month.
• Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to provide guidance and feedback on crew performance as per company guidelines.
• Has enough experience to be able to rationally deal with the unexpected (changes in weather, changes in client demands, changes in crew makeup or size, etc.).
• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record, and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.

Preferred qualifications:

• A master’s degree in in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field.
• Candidates who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology.
• Experience writing technical archaeology reports to SHPO standards.
• Knowledge of federal and state preservation laws and regulations including, but not limited to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
• CPR and First Aid certified. 

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. 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 would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All 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 PNW U.S. based position can expect an hourly rate of $28.12-$35.69/hour.  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.

Applicants must be willing to participate in a drug testing and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, as some projects require such screenings. Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

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