Project Archaeologist

Terracon; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon is seeking an experienced archaeologist to provide fieldwork, artifact identification, and reporting for diverse projects. The role includes supervising field crews, ensuring data quality, and developing proposals and MOAs as needed.

The candidate will conduct archival research, identify artifacts, and prepare complex reports while promoting safety and pre-task planning. SOI qualification and a relevant graduate degree are required.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or closely related field (MA, MS, PhD).
• Intimately familiar with the cultural history of the region and surrounding areas.
• SOI qualification (Secretary of Interior).
• Valid driver's license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects.
• Maintain quality standards on all projects.
• Conduct fieldwork and write reports for testing and data recovery projects.
• Manage a field crew and ensure Field Technicians and Crew Chiefs perform fieldwork to high standards.
• May serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on survey, testing, and small data recovery projects.
• Conduct archival research or field documentation and record analyses.
• Identify artifacts and recognize features/stratigraphy.
• Ensure field forms, data collection, and sample collection are consistent and complete.
• Prepare proposals and simple MOA documents.
• Present papers at professional conferences.
• Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for Authorized Project Reviewer readiness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Field supervision

Artifact identification

Report writing

Conference presentations

Education

Graduate degree in Archaeology/Anthropology (MA/MS/PhD)

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Provide archaeological services for a broad array of projects and clients. This may include conducting field work, identifying artifacts, laboratory analysis, writing reports, preparing proposals, and consulting with clients and stakeholders.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.


• Be responsible for maintaining quality standards on all projects.


• Responsible for conducting fieldwork and writing more complicated reports for testing and data recovery projects.


• Manages a field crew and ensures that Field Technicians and Crew Chiefs are performing fieldwork to the highest standards.


• May serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on survey, testing, and small data recovery projects.


• Conducts archival research or field documentation and ensures the team is recording appropriate information or conducting appropriate analyses.


• Confidently identifies artifacts and recognizes natural and cultural features/stratigraphy.


• Responsible for ensuring field forms, data collection, and sample collection are consistent, complete, accurate and follows project-specific requirements.


• Prepares more complicated proposals and simple Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) documents.


• Presents papers at professional conferences.


• Promote pre-task planning for all projects.


• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert on projects in preparation of becoming an Authorized Project Reviewer.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or closely related field (MA, MS, PhD) and a minimum of 5 years' related experience.


• Intimately familiar with the cultural history of the region and surrounding areas.


• Secretary of Interior (SOI) qualified.


• A valid driver's license with acceptable violation history may be required.