Associate Project Archaeologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Associate Project Archaeologist to support our Midwest operations in Chicago, IL. This role is a core member of our Cultural Resources Program, responsible for managing small cultural resources projects, including proposals, fieldwork, research, report writing, quality assurance/quality control reviews, and managing client, agency, and tribal relationships.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to all phases of cultural resources projects, including field investigations, technical reporting, agency coordination, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will have opportunities to build technical expertise, manage project tasks, support client and stakeholder communication, and develop the skills necessary to take on increasing responsibility in project planning and delivery.

This is a regular, full-time, hourly/non-exempt position with benefits. Qualified individuals can either work in a hybrid work environment near our Chicago or Cincinnati offices or be distributed (= remote) in the Midwest. Annual pay will be commensurate with individual qualifications and experience. This is a hybrid role with 75% office work, and a potential for up to 25% field work.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Leads or assists assigned projects with initiative, taking responsibility for the technical approach, project management, and ensuring quality assurance and control. Develops and manages deliverables for more complex projects, managing tasks under the direction of a senior project manager.
• Innovates and adapts methods to meet future client needs, staying ahead in their professional discipline.
• Encourages team collaboration, fostering an environment where team members work together to achieve project goals and share information effectively.
• Makes project management or task decisions, urgently when necessary, using sound judgment to consider trade-offs and ensure project success (within project parameters).
• Develops and manages technical approaches and directs and conducts quality assurance and control tasks.
• Completes technical reviews of deliverables, ensuring they meet project requirements and professional standards.
• Communicates effectively with clients and agencies, being responsive to their requirements and developing strong professional relationships.
• Completes project tasks promptly, ensuring client satisfaction and resolution of any issues, while contributing to team unity and effective collaboration.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Manage budgeting, scheduling, research, fieldwork, report writing, and curation for cultural resources projects; for larger projects, work with oversight from Principal Investigators and Project Managers.
• Assist in developing proposals, work plans, reports, and literature reviews with oversight from subject matter experts.
• Nurture and develop client relationships.
• Oversee and conduct fieldwork and project deliverables.
• Supervise personnel in the field, office, and/or laboratory.
• Take responsibility for team safety, including developing safety plans (when applicable) and anticipating potential hazards.
• Collaborate with personnel across role levels and disciplines.
• Maintain high standards of scientific ethics.
• Identify and resolve problems creatively.
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary environmental team.
• Work independently and responsibly to resolve project challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. Three years of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Five years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Architectural History, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in cultural resource management (CRM), gained through a combination of educational and professional experience, across various project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Familiarity with Section 106 and Historic Preservation regulatory requirements in Illinois or nearby Midwest states.
• Familiarity with other cultural resource regulations and processes in Illinois and/or nearby Midwest states.
• Demonstrated experience as a primary report author in a CRM context for diverse project types, sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Architectural History, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in cultural resource management (CRM), gained through a combination of educational and professional experience, across various project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• At least one (1) year of experience managing cultural resources projects
• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) certification or eligibility for RPA status.
• SOI Qualified
• Collaborative experience working on interdisciplinary teams of scientists and planners.
• Experience conducting QA/QC reviews of field documents, site forms, and reports.
• Proven leadership experience managing archaeology or architectural history crews on diverse projects.
• Ability to coordinate personnel and resources within budgetary constraints.
• Proven experience assisting with the management of CRM tasks, including budgets, scheduling, and scopes of work

Skills and Knowledge:

• CPR and First Aid certification (training provided if not currently certified).
• Adaptability to changing project needs, agency requests, and evolving priorities.
• Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and agency representatives.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments and proactively resolving challenges as they arise.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills. Exercises independent judgment while collaborating appropriately with stakeholders on high-impact decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven technical writing skills, including primary report authorship, with a strong track record of completing technical reports and projects on time.

Other Job Conditions

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.

Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Chicago based position is $31.36 to $40.02 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance based bonuses.

As a 100% employee owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact accommodations@swca.com or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

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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