FIELDWORK ASSISTANT SUPERVISORS – OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE, LANCASTER

Oxford Archaeology; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Archaeology offers a permanent role as a Field Assistant Supervisor, providing competitive pay and career progression through comprehensive training in archaeological practices. You will participate in significant projects across various locations while being part of a vibrant and professional team.

Benefits

Company pension scheme with 6% employer contributions

Competitive salary benchmarked regularly

21-24 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Subsistence payment for away projects

Free high quality personal protective equipment

Paid travel time for long journeys

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Candidates must prove experience in UK or Irish commercial archaeological fieldwork.
• A full clean driving license is desirable.
• Membership of CIfA at PCIfA level is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Join the Field Assistant Supervisor Training Pathway including office-based and on-site training.
• Gain experience in task delegation, supervision, and Health & Safety.
• Progress to Supervisor grade upon achieving competency.

Skills

Technical proficiency

Proven experience of professional archaeological fieldwork

Education

Degree in archaeology or related discipline

CIfA membership at PCIfA level

Tools

CSCS card

Job description

About The Role

Permanent contract

Salary: £28,720 to £29,562

Oxford Archaeology is one of the largest independent archaeological practices in Europe. Our size and reputation ensure that we work on the most exciting and varied projects and can offer real opportunities for long-term employment and career development. We have offices in Cambridge, Lancaster and Oxford and are a registered heritage charity.

Oxford Archaeology is at the forefront of training the next generation of archaeologists. We have recently launched our new Fieldwork Training Pathways; you will be enrolled on the Fieldwork Assistant Supervisor Training Pathway. For more information see here.

Our Oxford office programme includes the excavation of prehistoric sites, including a highly significant flint site, and Roman settlements both within and adjacent to the County and also work within several Oxford Colleges.

Our Cambridge office is working across the East of England with upcoming work for the remainder of the year including major infrastructure projects in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, alongside residential developments across the East Midlands and East Anglia.

Both the Cambridge and Oxford programmes include the excavation of prehistoric sites and medieval settlements on the Suffolk coast.

Our Lancaster office has a very full work programme and are looking for experienced staff to add to the field team. Much of the work for the next 12 months is focused on the A66 upgrade between Penrith and Brough in Cumbria (an away based- project) on multiple sites ranging from the early prehistoric through to post-medieval period.

Position

We offer a competitive salary range of £28,720 to £29,562; appointments will be made on the basis of demonstrated ability, previous experience and CIfA membership if appropriate. Appointments will be made on a permanent contract basis.

Successful candidates for Assistant Supervisor positions will join our Field Assistant Supervisor Training Pathway which includes office-based training sessions lead by OA specialists and senior managers covering areas such as Health and Safety, site survey, post-excavation, finds recognition and training and mentoring of others. You will also be given on-site training in task delegation and supervision, watching briefs, machine watching and record checking. As you progress through the programme you will also be given the opportunity to undertake external training courses including plant supervision (NPORS), CAT and Genny, First Aid at Work and Site Supervisors Safety Training (SSSTS). When the required levels of competency are achieved you will be in a position to apply for promotion to Supervisor grade, as vacancies arise.

Position Requirements

• Candidates must demonstrate proven experience, technical proficiency and good working knowledge of professional archaeological fieldwork within the UK or Irish commercial environment.
• A degree in archaeology or related discipline will be highly advantageous, as will membership of the CIfA at PCIfA level.
• A full clean driving licence is desirable as is a current CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card.
  
  

Employee Benefits

• Competitive, constantly benchmarked salary of £28,720 to £29,562.
• A company pension scheme with 6% employer contributions. Employees with 10 years of employment or in project management roles gaining access to Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is one of the few remaining defined benefit schemes in the UK.
• In addition to the industry leading Fieldwork Training Pathway, we offer many other opportunities for career progression including placements and specialist training in all areas of the business, including finds, environmental, archives, post-excavation, burials, community engagement, heritage management, historic buildings, geomatics, geoarchaeology and contracts.
• 21-24 days’ holiday (depending on length of service) with 3 additional concessionary days at Christmas plus Bank Holidays.
• Subsistence payment of £22.50 per night (tax free) and free, single room accommodation (usually B&B or self-catering) for away-based projects.
• 37.5 hour (basic) week with optional paid overtime at time and a half for hours in-excess of 37.5 hours Monday-Friday and on Saturdays, and double time on Sundays and bank holidays.
• Paid travel time for journeys to site that take longer than one hour from the office and free transport from regional offices to sites.
• Free high quality personal protective equipment (inc. full breathable waterproofs, fleece etc).
• Comprehensive care for employee welfare through a number of policies, including: the AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Premier, generous paid sick leave, a network of mental health first aiders, and personal accident insurance.
• Annual driver’s allowance of £520 for approved drivers (pro-rata) in addition to paid overtime for driving.
• We pay 100% of CIfA subscription fees.
• Cycle to work scheme.
  
  

To apply

If You Would Like To Be Part Of a Friendly, Respected, And Established Organisation, Please Apply By Completing The Application Form

https://surveys.oxfordarchaeology.com/index.php/967128

Closing Date: 29th June 2025

Applications will be considered on receipt and we are looking to make immediate appointments.

Due to the anticipated high volume of interest, it may not be possible for us to respond to all applicants. If you have not heard from us four weeks after the closing date, please consider that your application has been unsuccessful in this instance.

Oxford Archaeology is an Equal Opportunities employer. All applications are judged on the relevant skills and experience of the candidate, and not by gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, belief, age, nationality (other than where work permits may be required), or ethnicity. You must meet the requirements to live and work in the UK, as set out by UK Visa and Immigration – see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

Registered Charity No. 285627; Company Registration No. 1618597

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