Field Archaeology Team Lead — Phase I–III Projects

SEARCH; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Per Diem (overnight travel)

Group Health Insurance

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Group Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Emergency Travel Assistance

Generous 401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays (11)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Merit-Based Raises, Bonuses, and Prom.

Job summary

SEARCH is seeking a Full-Time Lead Archaeologist to head field teams in the Terrestrial Archaeology division across the Continental US. You will guide Phase I–III studies, oversee pre-field research, and manage fieldwork, artifact analysis, and reporting under senior leadership.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, updating reports, refining field methods, and ensuring safety and compliance with research designs. Travel and coordination with landowners and clients are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Completion of an accredited archaeological field school.
• Minimum of two years of professional archaeological field experience.
• At least one year of supervisory field experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to obtain government security clearance.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Identify locations of enhanced site probability using cultural, geological, and environmental features.
• Adhere to health and safety plan; participate in training; lead when necessary; suggest improvements.
• Revise field methodology in consultation with project leadership.
• Perform pre-field background research; prepare maps; input data; prepare project summaries.
• Conduct archaeological survey, testing, and excavation for Phase I–III studies.
• Conduct archaeological monitoring during project construction; coordinate with contractors.
• Provide in-field supervision to field teams and work alongside them.
• Provide daily updates on project progress to Principal Investigator/Project Manager.
• Record field notes, maps, drawings, logs, forms, and artifact logs.
• Collect and inventory artifacts and samples according to the research design.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology

Accredited archaeological field school

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

Total station

GPS

ArcCollector/Survey 123

Field notebooks/data entry

Job description

SEARCH is seeking a Full-Time Lead Archaeologist to head field teams in the Terrestrial Archaeology division across the Continental US. You will guide Phase I–III studies, oversee pre-field research, and manage fieldwork, artifact analysis, and reporting under senior leadership.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, updating reports, refining field methods, and ensuring safety and compliance with research designs. Travel and coordination with landowners and clients are expected.