Cultural Resources Field Monitor

EWI Recruitment; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

EWI Recruitment is seeking a Cultural Resources Field Monitor to support construction and land-development activities in areas with potential archaeological, historic, or cultural significance. This field-based role involves monitoring ground-disturbing work, documenting cultural resources, and ensuring compliance with cultural-resource laws and approved plans.

The position may require travel to active project sites, variable schedules, and work in changing weather and terrain.

Qualifications

• Relevant education or experience in archaeology, anthropology, cultural-resource management, historic preservation, or related discipline.
• Familiarity with archaeological field methods and regulatory practices.
• Strong observation, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to travel, work independently, and walk/stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Observe excavation, grading, trenching, utility installation, and related activities.
• Maintain accurate daily monitoring logs, field notes, photographs, maps, and artifact records.
• Recognize archaeological materials, features, and human remains; report discoveries promptly.
• Coordinate with construction supervisors, archaeologists, tribal representatives, landowners, and regulators.
• Prepare concise field reports and incident documentation; provide cultural-resource awareness briefings.

Skills

Field monitoring

Archaeology

Cultural resources

Documentation

GPS

Mapping

Education

Bachelor's degree in archaeology/anthropology

Tools

GPS equipment

Cameras

Mapping software

Job description

We are seeking a Cultural Resources Field Monitor to support construction and land-development activities in areas with potential archaeological, historic, or cultural significance. The successful candidate will monitor ground-disturbing work, identify and document cultural resources, and help ensure that project activities comply with applicable cultural-resource laws, permits, environmental commitments, and approved monitoring plans. This is a field-based position that may involve travel to active project sites, variable schedules, and work in changing weather and terrain conditions.

Key responsibilities include observing excavation, grading, trenching, utility installation, and related activities; maintaining accurate daily monitoring logs, field notes, photographs, maps, and artifact records; recognizing archaeological materials, features, and human remains; and immediately reporting discoveries through established procedures. The Field Monitor will coordinate respectfully with construction supervisors, equipment operators, inspectors, archaeologists, tribal representatives, landowners, and regulatory personnel as required. Duties may also include providing cultural-resource awareness briefings, assisting with site avoidance and protective measures, collecting and packaging materials in accordance with approved protocols, supporting surveys or testing, and preparing concise field reports and incident documentation.

Applicants should have relevant education or experience in archaeology, anthropology, cultural-resource management, historic preservation, or a related discipline. Familiarity with archaeological field methods, cultural-resource regulations, and occupational safety practices is preferred. The role requires strong observation, communication, organization, and documentation skills, along with the judgment to stop or redirect work when potentially significant resources are encountered. Candidates must be able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, walk and stand for extended periods, navigate uneven ground, lift field equipment, and use standard mobile devices, cameras, GPS equipment, and basic mapping or data-entry tools. A valid driving licence and willingness to travel or work flexible hours may be required. Additional consideration may be given to candidates with experience working with Indigenous communities, tribal cultural representatives, or construction monitoring programs.