Staff Archaeological Monitor

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Temporary Archaeological Monitor to support cultural resources efforts in Western North Carolina. The role involves observing ground-disturbing activities, documenting compliance with monitoring plans, permits, and regulatory requirements, and coordinating with project teams to protect cultural resources.

This temporary 40-hour-week assignment supports projects in Western North Carolina, with preference for candidates near Asheville.

Qualifications

• 1 year of relevant, progressively responsible experience; 2 years preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field.
• SOI qualifications per U.S. Secretary of the Interior standards for Archaeology.
• Ability to work outdoors and in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Implement monitoring activities per approved plans and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with mitigation measures and best management practices.
• Conduct field monitoring and inspection for environmental commitments.
• Support inspections/audits by collecting field observations and docs.
• Coordinate with inspectors and project leads to document compliance.
• Maintain communication with teams and leadership on monitoring results.
• Provide observations to support project delivery and issue resolution.
• Perform monitoring to ensure overall environmental compliance.
• Follow federal, state, local, and company regulations and standards.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

SOI-qualified

Field archaeology

Compliance monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology

Job description

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Temporary Archaeological Monitor to join our Cultural Resources team in Western North Carolina. In this role, you will support archaeological monitoring activities for construction projects, including observing ground-disturbing activities associated with single-family residential development and documenting compliance with approved cultural resource monitoring plans, permits, and regulatory requirements.

This is a temporary, 40 hour/week opportunity supporting projects in Western North Carolina. Priority will be given to applicants located within approximately two hours of Asheville, NC. This assignment is expected to continue through the fall, with the potential to extend through December based on project needs.

You will work closely with Project Archaeologists, environmental inspectors, construction personnel, and project teams to support cultural resource protection measures and successful project delivery.

Depending upon project assignments, this role may serve as the lead for field survey crews, independently directing daily work activities, promoting safe and productive work practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback in support of successful project delivery.

What you will accomplish

Essential Job Duties

• Implements resource‑specific monitoring activities in accordance with approved monitoring plans, permits, and regulatory requirements to verify compliance during project activities.
• Assists with implementation and verification of mitigation measures and best management practices intended to prevent or minimize environmental impacts associated with assigned resources.
• Conducts resource monitoring and inspection to verify adherence to environmental commitments and standards.
• Supports compliance inspections or audits (e.g., stormwater pollution prevention plan or spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plan) by collecting field observations and documentation relevant to assigned monitoring responsibilities.
• Coordinates with environmental inspectors or project leads to conduct resource monitoring activities and document compliance with applicable environmental requirements and mitigation measures.
• Documents monitoring results, observations, and incidents and communicates findings to environmental inspectors, project leads, or clients as required.
• Maintains regular communication with environmental inspectors, project teams, and technical specialists to support implementation of monitoring requirements and mitigation measures.
• Provides field observations and documentation to support project teams in evaluating potential compliance issues or requests related to permit conditions or mitigation measures.
• Performs resource monitoring in accordance with project requirements and approved plans to support overall environmental compliance during project activities.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Implements archaeological monitoring requirements during ground-disturbing activities to identify and protect cultural resources.
• Evaluates archaeological resources encountered during construction and assists with avoidance, protection, or treatment recommendations.
• Implements unanticipated discovery procedures for archaeological materials, cultural features, and human remains.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Two years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.
• Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.
• Every employee is expected to demonstrate proficiency in SWCA’s Core Competencies, with leaders expected to demonstrate excellence in additional Focus Area Competencies. Action-Oriented; Client Focus; Collaborates; Decision Quality; Ensures Accountability; Instills Trust; Situational Adaptability

Experience And Qualifications For Success

• Must meet the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards (SOI-qualified) for Archaeology.
• Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field, or equivalent education and experience that meets SOI qualification requirements.
• Experience conducting archaeological fieldwork, monitoring, survey, excavation, or other cultural resource management (CRM) activities.
• Experience identifying, documenting, and evaluating archaeological resources in the field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience performing archaeological monitoring during construction activities, particularly residential, infrastructure, or other ground-disturbing projects.
• Experience implementing inadvertent discovery procedures and documenting archaeological discoveries.
• Experience working with construction personnel, environmental inspectors, and project teams in the field.
• Familiarity with cultural resource monitoring plans, field documentation standards, and CRM reporting procedures.

Additional Information

• Applicants must be willing to participate in drug and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, when required by project or client requirements.
• 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.

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.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this North Carolina-based position is $27.04 to $34.32 per hour. 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.

SWCA continues to invest in our people. We value the skills and experience of our internal team members and strongly encourage qualified employees to apply for open positions. We believe in promoting from within whenever possible, offering meaningful opportunities for career growth.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.