Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director to support our Arizona cultural resources team, with offices in Tucson, Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ. Under the 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 role will be primarily field-based.

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. Anticipated fieldwork will occur throughout Arizona, across various land jurisdictions. The candidate may be asked to submit to background screening to work in some of these locations. This position is a regular, full-time, 40+ hour per week, hourly/non-exempt position. Those with more experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on the level of their experience.  

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.

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.
• Assists with technical reviews of deliverables, ensuring they meet project requirements and professional standards.
• Communicate 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 

• Supervise fieldwork, including archaeological survey, testing, data recovery, and/or construction monitoring and ensure quality and completeness of data collected.
• Provide data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; use 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Southwest.
• Led crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Demonstrated skills relating to QA/QC review of field documents and site forms.
• 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.
• Willingness to participate in a drug testing and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, as some projects require such screenings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Southwest.
• Meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology.
• Qualified for listing on the AAA blanket survey permit, BLM Statewide Arizona Cultural Use Permit, and/or National Forest permits as a Field Director.
• Possess advanced skills and knowledge in one or more specialty areas -- lithic analysis, geoarchaeology, and historical archaeology are of particular interest.
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent leadership and supervision abilities, including problem-solving, constructive conflict resolution, and decision making.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing.
• 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.

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 Arizona-based position is $26.78 per hour to 33.99 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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