As-Needed Archeological Field Technicians (Pacific Northwest)

Rincon Consultants; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 33,000 - 51,000; Part time

Job summary

Rincon Consultants is seeking Archaeological Field Technicians for projects across the Pacific Northwest. This on-call role supports field surveys, monitoring, site recording, and data collection under experienced Rincon staff.

Travel to remote locations may be required, with emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology/Anthropology and 1+ year of field experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology or related discipline.
• 1+ years of professional archaeological field experience.
• Ability to work independently in the field with good judgment.
• Experience operating field equipment (GPS, cameras, tablets).
• Knowledge of ESRI Field Maps and Survey123.
• Ability to hike 10–12 miles/day in outdoor conditions.
• Willingness to travel to remote project locations for extended field sessions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct archaeological surveys, monitoring, site recording, and field evaluations under Rincon staff.
• Collect and document field data with accuracy and project-standard compliance.
• Prepare field forms, site records, maps, photos, and documentation.
• Coordinate with project managers, field leadership, clients, and tribal monitors.
• Identify and photograph artifacts; assist with resource recordation and notes.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology

Tools

GPS equipment

Esri Field Maps

Survey123

Job description

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About The Role

Rincon Consultants is seeking As-Needed/On-Call Archaeological Field Techniciansfor projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. As an Archaeological Field Technician, you'll play an important role in supporting cultural resource investigations across a variety of projects.

Candidates with professional archaeological field experience are preferred. Candidates should be familiar with the practical requirements of archaeological survey, site recording, evaluation, and monitoring.

Please note: While this position is posted under the Portland location, it is open to candidates throughout the Pacific Northwest, with a particular interest in candidates based in the Seattle and Portland areas.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct archaeological surveys, monitoring, site recording, and field evaluations under the direction of Rincon cultural resources staff.
• Collect and document field data while ensuring accuracy and compliance with project standards.
• Prepare field forms, site records, maps, photographs, and other project documentation.
• Coordinate effectively with project managers, field leadership, clients, tribal representatives, and fellow team members.
• During archaeological survey, communicate effectively with the crew leader to verify understanding of instructions or site-specific data. Scientifically identify, describe, measure, and photograph artifacts and assist crew leaders with recordation of cultural resources.
• During testing and data recovery excavation, follow principal investigator’s or field director’s instructions to identify buried cultural resources (artifacts and/or cultural features) and document them effectively, identify and document soil stratigraphy, and understand permit requirements and screening protocols.
• During archaeological monitoring, communicate with the construction crew and Native American Tribal monitors and maintain daily logs that include detailed descriptions of construction activities, communication, and notification of additional or ongoing monitoring needs.
• Assist with laboratory processing and analysis of archaeological materials as required.
• Maintain high standards for safety, data quality, and regulatory compliance while performing field assignments.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related discipline.
• One or more years of professional archaeological field experience. A Master's degree may substitute for one year of professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in the field while exercising sound professional judgment.
• Experience with or ability to operate field equipment, including GPS equipment, cameras, tablets, and other devices.
• Knowledge of and experience using ESRI Field Maps and Survey123.
• Ability to work in physically demanding outdoor environments, including hiking up to 10-12 miles per day in inclement weather while carrying approximately 25 pounds.
• Willingness and availability to travel to a remote project location in support of extended field sessions lasting 8–12 consecutive days when required.
• Ability to maintain reliable transportation to the local Rincon office or project locations, as needed.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to provide and receive feedback.
• Ability to resolve conflict through collaboration and communication.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.

Nice To Have

• Accredited archaeological field school certification
• Experience with Pacific Northwest cultural resources and regional archaeological, historic, and ethnographic contexts.
• Previous utility corridor or infrastructure project experience.
• Working knowledge of NHPA, SEPA, NEPA, and related cultural resource regulatory requirements.
• Previous archaeological field experience in Oregon and Washington.

Compensation

The base hourly range for this temporary position is $24.00-$37.00 per hour. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.