Assistant Project Archaeologist – Field Director/SWCA Full Time

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, nearly 1,600 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 seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist – Field Director to support our Southern California Cultural Resources Program. This position is a regular, full-time, hourly position and will primarily be field-based. Under supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, 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. 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 fieldwork will occur throughout southern California, as well as central and northern California and Nevada, including within active U.S. military facilities. The candidate may be asked to submit to background screening in order to work on these facilities. Candidates local to southern California are strongly preferred (the local office is in Pasadena) and familiarity with California and Great Basin cultural resources is required.

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 Native Americans, as appropriate.
• 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.
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff.
• Field Directors may also assist with office-based tasks, including performing Class I literature reviews, background research, site form and technical report preparation.

Experience and qualifications for success

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology or a closely related field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred, but not required.
• Candidates who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology are strongly preferred.
• Three (3) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist in California and/or the Great Basin with two years of supervisory experience.
• Has led crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Qualified for listing on the BLM Statewide California Cultural Use Permit and Forest permits as a Field Director.
• 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).
• 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 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 easily deal with the unexpected (changes in weather, changes in client demands, changes in crew makeup or size, etc.).
• Active 40-hour HAZWOPER certification preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certified preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record, and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.

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 on-line application process due to a disability, please email [email protected] or call 480-5811-5378. 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 Pasadena,CA based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $29.21 – $37.13/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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