Cultural Resources Technician

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Amherst Woods (MA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility

Wellness time

Career development

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Cultural Resources Technician to join our Amherst, MA team. This role focuses on supporting archaeological field studies across New England, including renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

The position is primarily field-based, with significant travel within the Northeast and occasional national travel as needed. Applicants will work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality environmental outcomes and build foundational technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred.
• Ability to travel regionally and perform fieldwork for long hours in varied conditions.
• Current valid driver’s license required to operate 4WD vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Assist with field tasks, data collection, processing and documentation with quality control.
• Assess cultural values and project impacts to inform avoidance or mitigation strategies.
• Communicate with team leads to meet client requirements and project goals.
• Follow safety, quality procedures and applicable regulations.

Skills

Fieldwork

Travel readiness

Safety procedures

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

GPS field equipment

Field mapping

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 areidentified.Applications will be acceptedthrough 11/15/2026 at 5:00 PM PT.

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

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through post-secondary education or training; bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Demonstrated awareness and interest in one or more technical area is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

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.

Other Job Conditions

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 Amherst, MA- based position is $19.31 - $25.49. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

This position offers flexibility, paid wellness time, and opportunities to build technical skills and gain experience across a variety of environmental projects. Learn more about our On-Demand Employee Benefits and Career Development Guide.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail].

If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

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.

#LI-CH