Assistant Staff Archaeologist

SWCA, Incorporated; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Houston, TX is seeking an Assistant Staff Archaeologist to join our Cultural Resources team. You will supervise a crew of Archaeological Technicians during survey, site recording, or monitoring projects and assist with lab work and reports.

The role emphasizes field leadership, data collection, and coordination with project managers, GIS staff, and field directors. Periodic travel to Gulf Coast projects is expected, with full-time hours from our Houston office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related field is required.
• Completion of an accredited archaeological field school or demonstrative equivalent.
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours in challenging conditions.
• Experience working in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast region.
• Experience leading crews of field technicians on various project types.

Responsibilities

• Supervise one crew of Archaeological Technicians during survey, site recording, or monitoring projects.
• Lead field survey crews and direct daily activities, ensuring safety and productivity.
• Prepare site forms and technical reports in collaboration with the team.
• Assist with laboratory work and data quality control.
• Prepare regular field status reports for Field Directors and Project Managers.
• Support data processing, GIS tasks, and QA/QC for reporting.

Skills

Crew leadership

Field data collection

GPS data collection

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology or related field

Accredited archaeological field school completion

Tools

GPS units

Field survey equipment

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.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates areidentified.Thisposition may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool isestablished.

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.

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