Cultural Resources Intern

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking one Cultural Resources Intern for Summer 2026 to support both office and field projects in our Pasadena, San Diego, or Riverside, CA offices. The Cultural Resources Intern will support a diversity of field-based and office-based projects and will work with talented, multidisciplinary teams of cultural resources professionals.  Your role as a Cultural Resources Intern will be assisting with cultural resources and archaeology data entry, artifact analyses, reporting, and fieldwork during the summer field season. You should be able to work outside during fieldwork sessions that generally last for a week or more.

This internship will occur during summer 2026 (early June to Mid-August). Earlier start dates or later end dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are encouraged.  This is a paid, 40-hour per week internship. Interns will be paid $21.38/hour. This role will be primarily field based, with some travel and overnight lodging required. Desktop assignments will be assigned for working days not in the field. Interns will ideally be located within commuting distance of an SWCA office.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position. Applications will not be considered without a cover letter.

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.

Our Vision (the North Star): Help drive SWCA to be 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. Established in 1981, SWCA has a long-standing presence in the United States and is known for sound science and creative solutions.  Established in 1981, SWCA has a long-standing presence in the United States and is known for sound science and creative solutions.

Core Values: We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture. 

Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

What you will accomplish

Cultural Resources Intern positions are usually both field and office based. Interns typically receive: 

• Hands-on experience with surveying and site recording methods
• Experience following local State Historic Preservation Office and federal agency guidelines for performing archaeological fieldwork.
• Introduction to precontact and historic artifact identification.
• Introduction to cartography and archaeological map analysis.
• Opportunities to participate in various types of cultural resources management fieldwork.
• Exposure to a nationally recognized cultural compliance consulting firm and lead professionals in the field.
• Coordination with academic staff to meet course credit requirements.
• Understanding the significance criteria for the California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Current enrollment in a community college, college, or university, pursuing a certificate of proficiency, Associates degree, or Bachelor’s degree with a focus on cultural resource management, anthropology, archaeology, or a related field.
• Individuals who completed a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in anthropology, archaeology, cultural resource management, or related field in the past 12 months will also be seriously considered.
• Completion of at least three credits of archaeology courses, architectural history courses, or the equivalent.
• Applicants that are pursuing a master’s degree will also be considered. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible through this program.
• Experience with cultural resources field work (e.g., archaeology, anthropology, architectural history, etc.) through classwork, honors thesis or capstone projects, professional or intern experience, or volunteer work.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Must have good communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Must have ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.

Important for Field-Based roles

• For archaeological interns, successful completion of an archaeological field school.
• May require an ability to travel to the field 50%–75% of the time, including spending up to 10 days at a time at a field location.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours (up to 10 hours a day), sometimes in inclement weather and rugged terrain, and the ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions, effectively execute tasks, and conform to shifting priorities and demands.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle on backcountry roads required.

Helpful Skills

• Familiarity with GPS devices and digital data collection, and/or mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Technical writing experience.

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 a confidential conversation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We are 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. 

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged 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.