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Assistant Staff Archaeologist


Job Location:

Las Vegas, NV - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 8 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 20 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

About the opportunity

SWCA has an opportunity for three Assistant Staff Archaeologists working in Nevada reporting into our Las Vegas Nevada office. You will communicate with Field Directors Project Managers and GIS staff through regular scheduled field status reports. The Assistant Staff Archaeologist will participate in technical research writing and data QA/QC for reporting efforts and assist with survey and excavation projects in the field including collecting GPS data using tablets and/or iPads taking photographs and documenting resource characteristics.

Our Las Vegas office specializes in cultural and natural resources services within a relaxed work environment. We take pride in rapidly delivering on client needs which can lead to extended field efforts with overtime compensation. With our network of offices across the US we have the ability to move our field staff rapidly to meet these needs and the selected technician may have the opportunity to assist on a wide variety of projects across the country as a result.

This position is a temporary position and you will work up to 40 hours per week. This position is hourly and non-exempt with a strong preference for individuals within driving distance of Las Vegas NV. Project work will occur primarily in Nevada although opportunities to work in the SW USA may also arise. You should be able to work flexible hours with the potential for long-term field mobilizations for specific projects. Per diem and lodging are provided for all project work requiring overnight stays away from the home office.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

What you will accomplish
  • Conduct archaeological fieldwork under the direction of a Project Manager or Field Director on projects including monitoring survey testing and data recovery.
  • Conduct archaeological survey excavation and associated field recording including completion of field forms digital photography and in-field mapping.
  • Thrive in our team-oriented approach to project execution.
  • Maintain a strong commitment to customer service and to producing quality work.
  • Identify historic and prehistoric artifacts accurately.
  • Conduct archaeological lab work including artifact washing analysis and curation preparation.
  • Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
  • For Assistant Staff Archaeologists depending upon project an element of your job may be to independently supervise a small crew while conducting archaeological fieldwork. This includes:
      • Use SWCA-provided personal protective equipment and comply with all SWCA and client safety policies.
      • independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers to ensure quality and on-time delivery;
      • ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly productively and safely;
      • serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers including communicating issues to relevant senior managers;
      • receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; and
      • monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.
Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum of a bachelors degree in Anthropology Archaeology or a closely related field required.
  • Current valid drivers license and the ability to safely operate a 4wd vehicle on rugged backcountry roads.
  • Ability to travel to a location walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours sometimes in inclement weather rugged terrain often at high altitudes and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
  • Willing to travel overnight for extended periods of time. Travel percentage within Nevada is expected to be 95%.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Minimum of one (1) year of experience with a wide range of field methodologies including archaeological survey testing and monitoring.
  • At least 3 to 6 months of experience with Nevada and/or desert SW resource definitions and recording guidelines.
  • Experience authoring cultural resources technical reports following Nevada reporting guidelines.
  • Familiarity with ArcGIS Field Maps software Ipads and digital field data collection.
  • Ability to be listed on federal and state cultural resource permits in Nevada.

Why Work at SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultantsis a growing employee-owned firm providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star)is to makeSWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; weare #AlwaysLearning we #NeverSettleand we #GiveBack.

We are 100% employee-owned and we build our success together. With offices across the United States SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Records Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

At SWCA we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance internal and external professional development and training programs education reimbursement and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical dental vision employee assistance wellness life and disability plans and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

If you need assistance accessing SWCAs website completing the online application or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability please contact us at or call 1-. Were committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

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.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its alignment with this commitment SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An Assistant Staff Archaeologist in this Las Vegas NV-basedposition can expect a rate of $21.63/hour to $27.81/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience qualifications geographic location client requirements where applicable and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCAs Total Rewards package which includes a competitivebenefits package ( forward-thinking workplace flexibility outstanding corporate culture award-winning career development and more.

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 SWCAs 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-CR1


Required Experience:

Staff IC


About Company

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SWCA provides comprehensive environmental planning, permitting, regulatory compliance, natural and cultural resource management, and air quality services to businesses and government clients across the United States.

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