Assistant Staff Archaeologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 47,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock ownership plan

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Staff Archaeologist in Houston, TX to perform field and office tasks while supervising a crew of Archaeological Technicians on survey, site recording, or monitoring projects.

The role includes leading field crews, directing daily work, preparing site forms and technical reports, and coordinating with project managers. Travel may be required; candidates should endure varying weather and rugged terrain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related field.
• One year of related experience preferred; or equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and dense vegetation.
• Experience working in Texas, Louisiana, and the greater Gulf Coast region.
• Experience leading crews of field technicians on various project types and sizes.

Responsibilities

• Performs assigned tasks with supervision, prioritizing project work based on client requests and project requirements.
• Oversees the work of teams for data collection, processing, analysis, and quality control tasks.
• Develops components of project deliverables and contributes to technical reports and planning documents.
• Communicates task progress and issues to management, ensuring timely resolution.
• Participates in team projects and shares information to enhance project outcomes.
• Completes data collection tasks in the field or through research, and data processing with minimal oversight.

Skills

Crew supervision

Fieldwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology

Accredited archaeological field school

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Staff Archaeologist to join our Cultural Resources team in Houston, TX. In this role, you will perform field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members.

You will supervise one crew of Archaeological Technicians during survey, site recording, or monitoring projects. You may also assist with office-based tasks, including laboratory work, the preparation of site forms, and technical reports. SWCA offers a unique work environment specializing in delivering natural and cultural resources services across Texas and the greater Gulf Coast Region.

Depending upon project assignments, this role may serve as the lead for field survey crews, independently directing daily work activities, promoting safe and productive work practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback in support of successful project delivery.

This is a full time opportunity based out of our Houston, TX.

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

• Performs assigned tasks with appropriate supervision, demonstrating the ability to prioritize project work based on client requests and project requirements.
• Contributes productively to team efforts, seeking input from colleagues and project managers to ensure task accuracy and adherence to professional standards.
• Oversees the work of teams for data collection, processing, analysis, and quality control tasks.
• Develops components of project deliverables, contributing to technical reports and planning documents in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
• Communicates task progress and issues effectively, ensuring transparency and facilitating timely resolution of any challenges.
• Participates actively in team projects, fostering a collaborative work environment and sharing information to enhance project outcomes.
• Completes assigned data collection tasks in the field or through research, as well as data processing and analysis tasks, with minimal oversight.
• Ensures adherence to policies and professional standards, maintaining the integrity and quality of work.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Communicate with Field Directors, Project Managers, and GIS staff by preparing and submitting regular field status reports.
• Support technical research and writing and perform data quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) for reporting efforts.
• Assist with field mapping activities, including collecting GPS data using handheld units.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher, with demonstrated awareness and interest in one or more technical area. One year 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 related field
• Completion of an accredited archaeological field school or demonstrative equivalent
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather (including high heat and humidity) and , rugged terrain, and dense vegetation.
• Experience working in Texas, Louisiana, and the greater Gulf Coast region
• Experience leading crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies

Additional Information:

• Estimated time in the field is approximately 90-100%
• Project schedules may often include up to 12-hour days, 6 days a week for extended periods
• Hours worked over 40 hours per week are paid at time-and-a-half rate
• Single occupancy hotels paid directly by SWCA
• Per diem for full day, unless otherwise noted for specific projects
• Vehicles provided for projects

Other Job Conditions

Applicants must be willing to participate in drug and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, when required by project or client requirements.

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

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.

Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.

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 [office name] based position is $22.71 to $29.20 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.

Use of Technology in Hiring

Candidate Use of AI

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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