Associate Project Archaeologist at SWCA Environmental Consultants Lombard, IL

Associate Project Archaeologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Associate Project Archaeologist to support our Midwest operations. This role is a core member of our Cultural Resources Program, responsible for managing small to medium cultural resources projects, including proposals, fieldwork, research, report writing, quality assurance/quality control reviews, and managing client, agency, and tribal relationships.

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position with benefits. Annual pay will be commensurate with individual qualifications and experience. This is a hybrid role with 75% office work, and a potential for up to 25% field work.

Thisrequisitioncanbefilledattwodifferentlevels

• Manage all aspects of cultural resource projects, including budgeting, scheduling, research, fieldwork, report writing, and curation. More junior candidates will manage sub-tasks and/or smaller projects.
• Work with clients and agency representatives to ensure successful project implementation.
• Assist in developing high-quality proposals, work plans, reports, and literature reviews, with oversight from subject matter experts.
• Nurture and develop client relationships.
• Oversee and conduct fieldwork and deliverables, ensuring compliance with SWCA’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program.
• Supervise personnel in the field, office, and/or laboratory.
• Take responsibility for team safety by developing safety plans (when applicable) and anticipating potential hazards.
• Collaborate with SWCA personnel across role levels and disciplines.
• Maintain SWCA’s high standards of scientific ethics and quality assurance.
• Identify and resolve problems creatively.
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary environmental team.
• Work independently and responsibly to resolve project challenges.
• Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in cultural resource management (CRM), gained through a combination of educational and professional experience, across various project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Proven experience managing CRM tasks, including budgets, scheduling, and scopes of work.
• Familiarity with Section 106 and Historic Preservation regulatory requirements in Illinois or nearby Midwest states.
• Demonstrated experience as a primary report author in a CRM context for diverse project types, sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) certification or eligibility for RPA status.
• Experience conducting QA/QC reviews of field documents, site forms, and reports.
• Proven leadership experience managing archaeology crews on diverse projects.
• Ability to coordinate personnel and resources within budgetary constraints.
• Familiarity with cultural resource regulations and processes in (IL, IN, WI, OH, MI, etc)
• Transmission/Generation experience
• SOI Qualified
• Familiarity with cultural resource regulations and processes in Illinois and/or nearby Midwest states.
• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.

• Experience in marketing, business development, client management, and/or leading large proposal efforts.
• Collaborative experience working on interdisciplinary teams of scientists and planners.
• CPR and First Aid certification (training provided if not currently certified).
• Adaptability to changing project needs, agency requests, and evolving priorities.
• Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and agency representatives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven technical writing skills, including primary report authorship, with a strong track record of completing technical reports and projects on time.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 1,850+ staff, employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of…