Cultural Resources Technician

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Amherst, MA is seeking a Cultural Resources Technician to support archaeological field studies for renewable energy, transmission, transportation, development, and infrastructure projects across New England. This is a field-focused role emphasizing hands-on fieldwork, data collection, documentation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

The position requires travel within the Northeast up to 70% and occasional national travel, with safety and quality

Qualifications

• Accredited Field School Certification.
• Ability to travel and perform long field hours in various weather.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a 4wd vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Assists with field, laboratory, or office tasks including data collection, processing, documentation and quality control.
• Supports assessment of cultural values and potential project impacts.
• Communicates task needs and progress to field supervisors to ensure client requirements.
• Follows safety and quality protocols and established procedures.
• Performs related work and adheres to regulations and standards.
• Conduct surveys, shovel testing, and excavations per project requirements.

Skills

Fieldwork

Documentation

Data collection

Communication

Safety protocols

Education

Accredited Field School Certification

Tools

Collector

Survey123

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Cultural Resources Technician to join our Amherst, MA team. In this role, you will support archaeological field studies for projects such as renewable energy, transmission, transportation, development, and infrastructure.

This is a primarily field opportunity based out of Amherst, Massachusetts, with projects across New England and the greater Northeast. Priority will be given to applicants living in the Northeastern states. Depending on project needs, this position may require 70% travel within the Northeast and 10% travel across the country to support fieldwork and client projects. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to support project delivery and contribute to high quality environmental outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to build foundational technical skills, gain hands‑on experience, and grow your career in environmental consulting.

Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. Applications will be accepted through 11/15/2026 at 5:00 PM PT.

What you will accomplish

• Assists with the completion of technical project tasks, in the field, laboratory, or office, including data and information collection, processing, and documentation, as well as quality control. Technicians are expected to work efficiently, in manners that ensure accuracy and thoroughness in ethically applying the directed approach.
• Supports the assessment of cultural values and resources and potential impacts to these from proposed projects, to inform strategies that aim to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on cultural values, resources, and the people and communities who hold them significant.
• Communicates effectively with team members and supervisors, soliciting and valuing their input to meet client requirements and project goals diligently. This involves clear articulation of task needs, issues, and progress to the field supervisor or task lead, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Follows directions, safety and quality protocols, and other established procedures to complete tasks successfully and with accountability.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct archaeological surveys, shovel testing, and archaeological excavations in accordance with project requirements and established field methodologies.
• Assist with data recovery efforts and associated archaeological field documentation.
• Complete field forms, digital photography, and field mapping to accurately document archaeological findings.
• Assist with archaeological laboratory and office tasks, including artifact processing and documentation as needed.
• Collect GPS data using field equipment and applications under the supervision of a Field Lead or Project Archaeologist.
• Follow established safety procedures and proactively communicate potential hazards to field supervisors.

Experience and qualifications for success

• An accredited Field School Certification.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk, and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather (including extreme heat and humidity), rugged terrain, often at high altitudes.
• Current valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a 4wd vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 6+ months experience with a wide range of field methodologies, including archaeological survey, testing, excavation, methodology and monitoring.
• Knowledge of Collector and Survey123.