Archaeological Field Director

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

Access to multiple benefits including health and wellness programs

401(k) plan

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking an experienced Archaeological Field Director for part-time, project-based work in Central Pennsylvania and beyond. This role is well-suited for experienced archaeologists or independent consultants seeking flexibility. Responsibilities include leading archaeological investigations, overseeing field crews, and ensuring compliance with project standards. Candidates must possess a graduate degree in Archaeology and relevant supervisory experience. This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects with flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of professional archaeological supervisory experience.
• Meets Secretary of the Interior Standards for Archaeology.
• Valid REAL ID driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Strong written, verbal, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and discretion.
• Valid REAL ID driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to pass required drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across field and reporting activities.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality standards.
• Oversee archaeological excavations and field crews.
• Conduct survey transects and manage project methodologies and safety protocols.
• Prepare and manage documentation and data for technical reports and records.

Skills

Leadership

Technical documentation

Fieldwork experience

Judgment and discretion

Technical reporting

Education

Graduate degree in Archaeology or Anthropology

Tools

GIS tools (Survey123, Field Maps)

Survey123

Field Maps

Job description

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking an experienced Archaeological Field Director for part‑time, project‑based work supporting cultural resource projects in Central Pennsylvania and on select projects nationwide.

This role is ideal for experienced archaeologists or independent consultants seeking flexible, supplemental, or project‑driven work while continuing to apply their field leadership and technical expertise on meaningful projects. It is well suited for professionals who prefer project‑based or part‑time work rather than full‑time consulting, are comfortable leading field crews while balancing hands‑on technical work and value flexibility while maintaining professional rigor and accountability.

Assignments are tied to defined project needs and durations, with advance notice provided whenever possible to support planning around other professional or personal commitments.

Your Responsibilities

As a Part‑Time Archaeological Field Director, you will provide leadership across field and reporting activities, ensuring projects meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards.

Field & Project Leadership

• Direct cultural resource investigations in the field and laboratory
• Lead and organize archaeological field crews
• Oversee excavation activities including shovel testing, test units, and trenching
• Conduct survey transects (up to 15 miles per day, project‑dependent)
• Ensure compliance with project methodologies and safety protocols

Technical & Documentation Responsibilities

• Complete archaeological site forms, sketches, profiles, logs, and required documentation to be used in the preparation of technical reports
• Identify and describe soil profiles, horizons, artifacts, and cultural features
• Manage artifact processing, organization, inventory, and curation

Data & Tools

• Direct data management prior to and during field projects
• Utilize GIS tools such as Survey123 and Field Maps (project‑dependent)

Your Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field
• Minimum 1 year of professional archaeological supervisory experience (Academic experience does not fulfill this requirement)
• Meets Secretary of the Interior Standards for Archaeology
• Strong written, verbal, and technical documentation skills
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and discretion
• Valid REAL ID driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Ability to pass required drug screening

Preferred (Project‑Dependent) Experience

• Experience with Mid‑Atlantic Archaeology
• Cultural resource survey experience on military installations
• Familiarity with ArcGIS applications (Survey123, Field Maps)
• Experience organizing and managing archaeological data and inventories
• Preferred qualifications are project‑dependent and not required for all assignments.

Travel & Scheduling Expectations

• Field assignments may require travel and work at locations remote from the home office
• Assignments are project‑based and may involve extended field deployments
• Advance notice of assignments is provided whenever feasible
• Periodic travel may include overnight stays; international travel is rare but possible

Physical Requirements

• This role includes fieldwork with physical demands typical of archaeological investigations.
• Reasonable accommodation may be provided where appropriate.
• Ability to walk up to 15 miles per day in uneven terrain
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (typically 35 pounds of field gear)
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and climb as required
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception

This is a part‑time, project‑based role designed for experienced professionals seeking flexibility. If you meet SOI standards and enjoy leading field investigations without a full‑time schedule, we encourage you to apply.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part‑time roles will be pro‑rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week. Benefits Summary: Regular full‑time and part‑time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short‑term/long‑term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full‑time and part‑time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law). Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law. The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements. Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.