Project Archaeologist

SWCA, Incorporated; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Project Archaeologist to support the Houston Gulf Coast team. This regular, full-time, hourly role manages cultural resources projects, including proposals, fieldwork, research, and report writing, while coordinating with clients, agencies, and tribes.

The ideal candidate will have a Master's in Archaeology/Anthropology and at least four years of CRM experience, with PI eligibility in Texas. The position allows distributed work within the Southeast U.S.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Four years of CRM experience across a variety of project types, sizes, and agencies.
• Permittable as a Principal Investigator in TX.
• Office-based role with occasional field visits.

Responsibilities

• Leads or assists projects with technical approach, project management, and QA/QC.
• Develops and manages deliverables for complex projects under senior PM guidance.
• Manages client, agency, and tribal relationships.
• Develops proposals, research plans, and Section 106 reports with SME oversight.
• Oversees report deliverables per QA/QC program and standards.
• Writes scientifically sound reports on cultural resources.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Occasional field visits and PI reviews as needed.

Skills

Project management

Quality assurance

Client/agency communication

Team collaboration

Report writing

Field supervision

Education

Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Archaeologist to support our Houston, Texas Gulf Coast team. This role is a core member of our Cultural Resources Program, responsible for managing cultural resources projects, including proposals, fieldwork, research, report writing, quality assurance/quality control reviews, and managing client, agency, and tribal relationships.

This is a regular, full-time, hourly position with benefits. Annual pay will be commensurate with individual qualifications and experience. While we prefer candidates based in the Houston area, we are open to a distributed arrangement for the right candidate located in the Southeast U.S.

Application deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

What you will accomplish

• Leads or assists assigned projects with initiative, taking responsibility for the technical approach, project management, and ensuring quality assurance and control. Develops and manages deliverables for more complex projects, managing tasks under the direction of a senior project manager.
• Innovates and adapts methods to meet future client needs, staying ahead in their professional discipline.
• Encourages team collaboration, fostering an environment where team members work together to achieve project goals and share information effectively.
• Makes project management or task decisions, urgently when necessary, using sound judgment to consider trade-offs and ensure project success (within project parameters).
• Develops and manages technical approaches and directs and conducts quality assurance and control tasks.
• Completes technical reviews of deliverables, ensuring they meet project requirements and professional standards.
• Communicates effectively with clients and agencies, being responsive to their requirements and developing strong professional relationships.
• Completes project tasks promptly, ensuring client satisfaction and resolution of any issues, while contributing to team unity and effective collaboration.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Work with agency representatives for successful project implementation.
• Assist with technical, high-quality proposals, research plans, Section 106-related reports, and literature reviews, with oversight from subject matter experts and project managers.
• Nurture and develop agency relationships.
• Oversee report deliverables, adhering to SWCA's Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program.
• Write scientific and technically sound reports and research related to cultural resources

Experience and qualifications for success

• A Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in cultural resources management (CRM) on a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Can lead projects/tasks from start to finish, with guidance (PM for medium projects or Task Lead for large projects)
• Permittable as a Principal Investigator in TX.
• Performs technical subject matter expert review of cultural resources deliverables
• Available for occasional project visits and PI reviews in the field, but mostly an office-based position

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of experience in cultural resources management on a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Meet the Secretary of Interior's standards for archaeology.