Associate Project Archaeologist

About the opportunity

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.

This requisition can be filled at two different levels

• Associate Project Archaeologist – Typically with at least five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise
• Project Archaeologist – Typically with at least seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise

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.

The Project Archaeologist will manage larger, more complex tasks and projects, while the Associate Project Archaeologist will primarily handle sub-tasks or smaller projects under supervision.

• 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.

Requirements:

• 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 Minnesota, North Dakota, and/or South Dakota.
• Transmission/Generation experience
• SOI Qualified
• Familiarity with cultural resource regulations and processes in Illinois…