Project Archaeologist Field Director

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant or Associate Project Archaeologist Field Director to join our Southern California Cultural Resource Program. Under the supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager this role performs field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members.

The Field Director will manage all aspects of fieldwork supervising one or more crews of archaeological surveyors monitors and/or excavators. They may also assist with office-based tasks including preparation of site forms and technical reports in support of a variety of renewable energy oil and gas energy transmission transportation and land development projects.

Some projects include overtime hours or prevailing wage rates and often require travel and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. 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 addition a technical (i.e. cell phone) allowance is offered.

This role supports projects throughout Southern California with anticipated fieldwork across the region. While the position is affiliated with either our Pasadena or Riverside CA office we will also consider hybrid or remote (distributed) candidates located within Southern California.

This requisition can be hired at either level:

• Assistant Project Archaeologist: Two (2) years of relevant industry experience and expertise.
• Associate Project Archaeologist: Three (3) years of relevant industry experience and expertise

This is a regular (with benefits) full-time hourly/non-exempt position that will be primarily field-based and is a wonderful career-growth opportunity to join SWCAs expanding practice.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool isestablished.

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.

• Leads orassistsassigned 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.
• Assistswith technical reviews of deliverables ensuring they meet project requirements and professional standards.
• Communicate effectively with clients and agencies being responsive to theirrequirementsand 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

• Manage and participate in all aspects of cultural resources projects successfully including budgeting scheduling scope development and management client management research fieldwork report writing curation.
• Collaborate with other project managers across offices and disciplines to successfully meet client and agency needs.
• Work with clients and agency representatives for successful project implementation.
• Prepare and create technical high-quality proposals work plans reports and literature reviews with little supervisory oversight.
• Oversee fieldwork and deliverables adhering to SWCAs Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program.
• Collaborate with SWCAs managers directors and principal investigators on technical and business development efforts throughout the company.
• Maintain SWCAs high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance and is motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.
• Assist in the continuing development of SWCAs Cultural Resource Program and expand SWCAs professional reputation in cultural resources consulting and research throughout the Southern California sub-region and beyond.
• Take responsibility for team safety develop safety plans (when applicable) and anticipate potential safety hazards

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelors degree or higher. Two years of relevant progressively responsible experience. Three years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience performance training and/or education.

• Bachelors degree in Anthropology Archaeology or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in cultural resources field activities including experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes regions and agencies.
• One (1) year of experience in managing projects including working on a variety of project types and sizes on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation) in multiple regions and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Eligible to be listed as a qualified Field Director under SWCAs California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) statewide permit
• Experience in cultural resources management (CRM) with a variety of project types sizes regions and agencies with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience with the archaeology of Southern California.
• Expertise in federal state and local laws and regulations related to the management of cultural resources (National Environmental Policy Act Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act).
• Experience providing QA/QC review of field documents site forms and reports

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Anthropology Archaeology or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in cultural resources field activities including experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes regions and agencies.
• Two (2) or more years of experience managing projects including working on a variety of project types and sizes on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation) in multiple regions and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interiors Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology including at least one year of supervisory experience in prehistory and/or history.
• Demonstrated technical writing skills with a record of completing technical reports in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated experience working with interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and planners.
• Experience and interest in business development proposal writing and client management.
• Experience supervising junior staff.
• Experience collecting field data utilizing modern mobile technology (tablets Bluetooth GPS receivers mobile software).

When driving is required

Applicants must possess a valid drivers license and meet SWCAs driver requirements.

When traveling is required

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.

Safety Expectations

• Project level: Takes responsibility for team safety developing safety plans (when applicable) and anticipating potential safety hazards.

Work Environment

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain lifting and carrying equipment up to 2550 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 is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Pasadena/Riverside CA-based position is:

• Assistant Project Archaeologist: $30.13 to $38.24 per hour.
• Associate Project Archaeologist: $33.60 to $42.87 per hour.

Actual pay may vary based on experience qualifications geographic location and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan 401(k) with profit sharing medical dental and vision coverage paid time off wellness programs and professional development opportunities.

If you need accommodation due to a disability please contact or call 1 .If you require assistance with the application process please contact

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology including AI-assisted tools to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair transparent and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However all application materials assessments and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience skills and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience complete assessments on their behalf or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women minorities veterans and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

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.

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