Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist – Field Director to support our Chicago Cultural Resources Team in the Midwest. This position is a regular, full-time, hourly position and will primarily be field based. Under supervision of Cultural Resources Team Leads and Project Managers, an Assistant Project Archaeologist–Field Director performs field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members.

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, oil and gas, energy transmission, transportation, and land development projects. Some projects include overtime hours or prevailing wage rates, 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.

To be considered, please provide a cover letter and a resume/CV with professional references.

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 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, including performing background reviews, research, site forms, technical report preparation, developing and tracking scopes of work, schedules, and budgets.
• Communicates regularly with the Project Manager to ensure that a project’s budgetary and timetable needs are met. Supports invoicing and budget tracking.
• Takes initiative, resolves problems, and creates improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective and efficient manner.
• In coordination with the project manager, organizes the report writing and production effort and prepares technical reports.
• Maintains SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance; is motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.
• Follow all SWCA health and safety procedures.

Experience and qualifications for success

• A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history, or a closely related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.

• Participation in an accredited field school or equivalent experience.

• Minimum three (3) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Midwest.

• Has led crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.

• 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 and in rugged terrain), 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.

• 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 or related field.
• Candidates who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology.
• Possess advanced skills and knowledge in one or more specialty areas. Of particular interest are lithic analysis, geoarchaeology, historical archaeology, and GPS/GIS technology (using Collector, Survey 123, and/or Trimble units and ArcPad software).
• Experience with computer-based programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and others.
• Experience writing technical archaeology reports to SHPO standards.
• Knowledge of federal and state preservation laws and regulations including, but not limited to the National Environmental Policy Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• CPR and First Aid certified.

Why Work at SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of environmental professionals who specialize in environmental planning, natural and cultural resource management, and regulatory compliance. Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today.

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.

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.

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 on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Illinois office - based position can expect an hourly wage of $27.30-34.65/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.

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

#SWCA-IND

#LI-NP1

Keywords

Assistant Project ArchaeologistField Directorarchaeological surveytestingdata recoveryconstruction monitoringfield crewtechnical report preparationleadershipsupervisioncommunication skillsQA/QC reviewfield documentssite formstravelfieldworkDriver's License4WD vehiclelithic analysisgeoarchaeologyhistorical archaeologyGPS/GIS technologyMicrosoft Office SuiteAdobe AcrobatCPRFirst Aid