Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant or Associate Project Archaeologist – Field Director to join our Southern California Cultural Resource Program. Under the supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, this role 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. 

This role supports projects throughout Southern California, with anticipated fieldwork across the region. While the position is affiliated with either our Pasadena or Riverside, CA office, we will also consider hybrid or remote (distributed) candidates located within Southern California.

This requisition can be hired at either level:

• Assistant Project Archaeologist: Two (2) + years of relevant industry experience and expertise.
• Associate Project Archaeologist: Three (3) + years of relevant industry experience and expertise

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, hourly/non-exempt position that will be primarily field-based and is a wonderful career-growth opportunity to join SWCA’s expanding practice.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

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

• Manage and participate in all aspects of cultural resources projects successfully, including budgeting, scheduling, scope development and management, client management, research, fieldwork, report writing, curation.
• Collaborate with other project managers across offices and disciplines to successfully meet client and agency needs.
• Work with clients and agency representatives for successful project implementation.
• Prepare and create technical, high-quality proposals, work plans, reports, and literature reviews with little supervisory oversight.
• Oversee fieldwork and deliverables, adhering to SWCA’s Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program.
• Collaborate with SWCA’s managers, directors, and principal investigators on technical and business development efforts throughout the company.
• Maintain SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance and is motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.
• Assist in the continuing development of SWCA’s Cultural Resource Program and expand SWCA’s professional reputation in cultural resources consulting and research throughout the Southern California sub-region and beyond.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. 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.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in cultural resources field activities, including experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• One (1) year of experience in managing projects, including working on a variety of project types and sizes, on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation), in multiple regions, and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Eligible to be listed as a qualified Field Director under SWCA's California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) statewide permit
• Experience in cultural resources management (CRM) with a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience with the archaeology of Southern California.
• Expertise in federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to the management of cultural resources (National Environmental Policy Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act).
• Experience providing QA/QC review of field documents, site forms, and reports

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in cultural resources field activities, including experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Two (2) or more years of experience managing projects, including working on a variety of project types and sizes, on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation), in multiple regions, and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology, including at least one year of supervisory experience in prehistory and/or history.
• Demonstrated technical writing skills with a record of completing technical reports in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated experience working with interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and planners.
• Experience and interest in business development, proposal writing, and client management.
• Experience supervising junior staff.
• Experience collecting field data utilizing modern mobile technology (tablets, Bluetooth GPS receivers, mobile software).

Other Job Conditions

When driving is required 

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements. 

When traveling is required 

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.  

Safety Expectations 

•  Project level:  Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.  

Work Environment 

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures. 

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Pasadena/Riverside, CA-based position is:

• Assistant Project Archaeologist: $30.13 to $38.24 per hour.
• Associate Project Archaeologist: $33.60 to $42.87 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 [email protected] or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected].

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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