Staff Archaeologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for a Staff Archaeologist to join our Arizona Cultural Resources team, with offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. Our team of accomplished environmental and cultural resources scientists is growing, and we are looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality cultural resources work.

 

In this position, you will perform mainly field-based tasks while working under a Field Director, with other staff, and potentially supervising field technicians during survey, site recording, monitoring, or excavation projects. In this role, you will also assist a variety of office-based tasks including laboratory work, the preparation of site forms, and contributing to technical reports.

 

This is a regular (with benefits), hourly, non-exempt, full-time opportunity reporting to our Tucson, AZ office.  Hybrid work environments are encouraged. 

 

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

• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized before fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are ready for fieldwork.
• Accurately identify historic-era and prehistoric artifacts and features, and train less experienced field crew members in their identification.
• Complete and contribute to 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.
• Assist with office-based tasks, including laboratory work, performing literature reviews, research, site form preparation, and technical report preparation, as needed.
• Work independently in a responsible manner, within defined schedules, and meet deadlines;
• Communicate effectively when reporting to Project Archaeologists, Principal Investigators, and client representatives or land agents, to facilitate successful project planning and logistics.
• Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
• For Staff Archaeologists, depending upon the project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise an archaeological survey crew in the field. This includes: 
  • independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery;
  • ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely;
  • serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers;
  • receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; an
  • monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline

Experience and qualifications for success

Minimum Qualifications:

 

• A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of experience conducting a wide range of field methodologies, including archaeological survey, testing, excavation, methodology and/or monitoring.
• Current valid driver's license and the ability to safely operate a 4wd vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads required.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Currently reside in the greater Tucson area or plans to relocate there in the immediate future.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

 

Preferred qualifications:

• An accredited Field School Certification.
• Two (2) years of experience conducting a wide range of field methodologies, including archaeological survey, testing, excavation, methodology and/or monitoring.
• 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.
• Can pass drug testing and alcohol screening as some projects require such screenings

 

 

Why Work at SWCA:

 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing 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.

 

We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. 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. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

 

At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. 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.

 

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re 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. 

 

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 Arizona-based position can expect an hourly rate of $23.95/hr. - $30.64/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 (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), 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. 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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