Assistant Cultural Resources Technician 2

GAI Consultants Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

GAI Consultants Inc. is seeking a Cultural Resources Technician 2 to support field projects across the Southwestern region. You will identify, excavate, screen, and record artifacts, and assist with laboratory tasks following federal/state archaeological standards.

Travel is required; you will work outdoors in varied weather, hike 8–10 miles daily with gear, and maintain accurate field forms and notes. Pre-employment drug testing is required for these opportunities.

Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. degree in Archaeology/Anthropology or related field; completion of academic field school preferred.
• Minimum one to three years CRM experience in North America preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to travel (required) and independent transportation preferred.
• Experience in archaeological field excavation techniques, artifact identification, data recording, mapping, and surveying.
• Experience in fieldwork in AZ, CO, KS, NV, NM, OK, TX, or UT preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Follow required health and safety policies per OSHA.
• Excavate, screen, and collect archaeological materials per standards.
• Identify and record features and structures within project study areas.
• Document and map survey areas, testing locations, excavations, and observable resources.
• Complete field forms on paper or electronically.
• Record soil color and type using a Munsell soil chart.
• Use a compass for basic navigation.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Walk 8–10 miles daily with gear.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Willingness to travel

Ability to work outdoors in varying天气?

Education

B.A./B.S. in Archaeology/Anthropology or related field; field school completion preferred

Tools

Compass navigation

Munsell soil chart

Job description

GAI has immediate openings for Full‑Time Cultural Resources Technician 2 to support various field projects across the Southwestern region. These employees will be responsible for identifying, excavating, and recording potential sites, washing and/or processing artifacts for laboratory analysis, and assisting with various laboratory tasks associated with post field activities in accordance with federal and/or state archaeological standards. Projects may include Phase I through Phase III, historic and/or prehistoric investigations. Pre‑employment drug testing is required for the above opportunities.

Job Duties

• Follow required health and safety policies as specified by GAI, client, and OSHA.
• Maintain appropriate level of client confidentiality.
• Excavate, screen, and collect archaeological materials in accordance with federal and/or state archaeological standards.
• Identify and record any archaeological features and structures minimally within the project study areas.
• Accurately document and map survey areas, testing locations, excavations, and any observable cultural resources.
• Accurately complete paper and/or electronic field forms.
• Record soil color and type using a Munsell soil chart.
• Use a compass for basic orienteering within the project vicinity.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to walk 8 to 10 miles a day (sometimes in rugged terrain), while carrying tools and equipment.
• Perform any and all other duties assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree in Archaeology/Anthropology or a related field (completion of academic field school preferred).
• Minimum one to three years CRM experience in North America preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to travel (required) and with independent means of transportation (preferred).
• Experience in archaeological field excavation techniques, artifact identification, data recording, mapping, and surveying.
• Previous experience conducting archaeological fieldwork in one or more of the following states is preferred but not required: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

Physical Requirements

• Use fine motor skills to handle delicate objects, write by hand, feel sharp objects, and reach with hands/arms
• Possess satisfactory close range vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Talk, hear, taste or smell
• Stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Lift and/or move objects weighing up to 40lbs
• Hike over various types of terrain while carrying up to 25lbs of gear
• Extensively dig/shovel and screen soils for artifact recovery
• Manually clear brush/vegetation from testing locations
• Work outdoors in extreme temperatures and weather conditions
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

• Projects will vary throughout the Southwest. Overnight stays will be required for the majority of the work being offered. Hotel and Per Diem are provided.

General Characteristics

• Continues to show progress acquiring basicskills; follows procedures; good organizational skills; works with safety in mind, must be flexible with work hours and willingness to travel up to100% during the weekdays and occasional weekend travel and/or work, able to do physically demanding work

Minimum Years of Experience

• 1 to 3 Years of Experience

Education

• B.A./B.S. Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Historic Preservation, American Studies, or associated degree; enrolled in field school; or equivalent skills and experience

Technical Responsibilities

• Primarily field position; excavation skills; basic knowledge of soils; accurate note taking and completion of field forms; sketch maps; basic photography; basic compass/navigation skills
• Employee responsible for obtaining their basic field kits; must possess steel toed shoes; responsibility for maintaining and upkeep of company issued field equipment

Project and Task Management

• Responsible for personal task management and adherence todeadlines and scope

Management Responsibility

• Coach/Mentor less experienced staff; may be required to lead asmall crew; responsible for staying on budget and schedule; discusses work performance oftechnicians with Managers
• Ability to work with or without a supervisor present; ability to take direction from a leader

Communication Skills

• Possess oral and written communication skills; interacts with well with other staff, ability tofunction positively in a teamenvironment; ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, coworkers and with lesser experienced personnel, ability to convey field results clearly and concisely to senior level cultural resources staff

Why GAI?

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You'll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you'll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development.

At GAI, you'll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:

Competitive Pay & Recognition

• Market based, competitive compensation
• Performance driven recognition and development bonuses

Comprehensive Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources

Meaningful Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
• An additional floating holiday-use it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Growth, Learning & Financial Security

• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications

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#gaiatwork

#gaiconsultants

#lifeatgai

Education

Bachelors of Anthropology (required)

Experience

Archaeological fieldwork experience in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, or Utah. (preferred) Archaeological field excavation techniques; Artifact identification; Data recording; Mapping and surveying (required) 1 - 3 years: Cultural Resource Management (CRM) experience in North America (preferred)

Licenses & Certifications

Driver's License (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

All applicants have the right to apply and equal opportunity under the law. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.