Assistant Project Archaeologist - Crew Chief

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, nearly 1,900 staff, employee‑owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) isto make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee‑ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #Always Learning, we #Never Settle, and we #Give Back.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist – Crew Chief to support our Nevada‑based Cultural Resources Program, with offices in Las Vegas and Reno. This position is a temporary, hourly position and will primarily be field‑based. Under supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, an Assistant Project Archaeologist‑Crew Chief performs field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members.

Anticipated fieldwork will occur throughout Nevada. Candidates must be based in Nevada (can be a distributed employee in Nevada or hybrid near our Las Vegas or Reno offices).

The Crew Chief will assist with the management of all aspects of fieldwork, supervising one or more crews of archaeological surveyors, monitors, and/or excavators. When available, 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.

Final date to receive applications:
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.

• Supervise fieldwork, including archaeological survey, testing, data recovery, and/or construction monitoring and ensure quality and completeness of data collected.
• Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets and Geodes.
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork.
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff.
• Crew Chiefs may also assist with office‑based tasks, including performing Class I literature reviews, background research, site form and technical report preparation.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology or a closely related field is required. A Master's degree is preferred, but not required.
• Candidates who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology are strongly preferred.
• Three (3) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist with two years of supervisory experience.
• Has led crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Must be qualified for listing as a Crew Chief on a BLM Cultural Resources Use Permit for the Southern Nevada District (12 months total experience in a similar roll, 4 of which must be in the Southern Nevada District). Qualifying for other districts is beneficial but not required.
• Possess advanced skills and knowledge in one or more specialty areas. Of particular interest are lithic analysis, geoarchaeology, historical archaeology, and GPS/GIS technology (using Collector, Survey 123, and/or Trimble units and Arc Pad software).
• Has demonstrated skills relating to…