Archaeological Field Director

Are you passionate about cultural resources and ready to take a leadership role in the field? Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a dynamic, experienced Archaeological Field Director to support cultural resource projects out of our Arizona offices. This position may initially be part-time/as-needed, with strong potential to become full-time based on workload and interest. Overnight and regional travel may be required.

The position can be located in our Phoenix, AZ office or Gilbert, AZ office.

The Archaeological Field Director will oversee archaeological field crews and coordinate closely with the Principal Investigator and project management team to successfully execute cultural resource investigations throughout Arizona and the greater Southwest. The successful candidate must be capable of independently directing field activities, making informed field decisions, maintaining high-quality documentation, and ensuring work is completed in accordance with applicable agency standards, project scopes, permits, and safety requirements.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of archaeological projects, including survey, monitoring, testing, and data recovery projects throughout the Southwest and across the country. For qualifying travel assignments, generous per diem and company-paid accommodations are available.

• Direct and supervise cultural resource field projects, including pedestrian survey, site recordation, monitoring, archaeological testing, and data recovery.
• Lead and coordinate archaeological field crews, including daily assignments, field logistics, safety coordination, and productivity.
• Implement project-specific field methodologies and ensure compliance with approved scopes of work, research designs, permits, and agency requirements.
• Coordinate regularly with the Principal Investigator and project manager regarding field progress, discoveries, schedule, staffing, and potential scope changes.
• Identify, evaluate, and document archaeological sites, features, artifacts, and other cultural resources in the field.
• Make informed recommendations regarding site boundaries, resource documentation, additional testing, and other field needs in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
• Ensure accurate collection of field data and completion of required documentation, including daily reports, site forms, feature forms, monitoring logs, historical in-use structure forms, photo logs, and other project records.
• Review field documentation for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and QA/QC prior to submission.
• Collect, manage, and review geospatial data using ArcGIS Field Maps, GPS equipment, and other applicable field technologies.
• Maintain accurate project photographs, field notes, artifact provenience information, and electronic data.
• Provide preliminary identification and assessment of artifacts and cultural resources encountered during field investigations.
• Oversee subsurface testing and data recovery activities, including shovel testing, test units, excavation units, mechanical investigations, and related documentation as applicable.
• Apply knowledge of soils, geomorphology, topography, archaeological site formation processes, and regional cultural history to field decisions.
• Assist with mobilization planning, equipment preparation, access coordination, and other field logistics.
• Communicate professionally with landowners, agency representatives, clients, subcontractors, construction personnel, and other project stakeholders as appropriate.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to archaeological technicians and junior staff.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and support collaboration across disciplines and offices.
• Work in a variety of terrains, climates, and environmental conditions throughout the year.
• Perform physical field tasks, including hiking long distances and regularly carrying equipment weighing approximately 20-50 pounds.
• Travel locally, regionally, and nationally as required by project assignments.

• Master’s Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional archaeological field experience, including demonstrated experience supervising archaeological field crews.
• Strong experience conducting cultural resource investigations in the Southwest required;
  Arizona experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with archaeological survey, site recording, monitoring,…