Archaeological Field Director

Archaeological Field Director Opportunity

Stantec is seeking an experienced Archaeological Field Director for part-time, project-based work supporting cultural resource projects in Central Pennsylvania and on select projects nationwide. This role is ideal for experienced archaeologists or independent consultants seeking flexible, supplemental, or project-driven work while continuing to apply their field leadership and technical expertise on meaningful projects. It is well suited for professionals who prefer project-based or part-time work rather than full-time consulting, are comfortable leading field crews while balancing hands-on technical work and value flexibility while maintaining professional rigor and accountability.

Assignments are tied to defined project needs and durations, with advance notice provided whenever possible to support planning around other professional or personal commitments.

As a Part-Time Archaeological Field Director, you will provide leadership across field and reporting activities, ensuring projects meet regulatory, safety, and quality standards.

• Field & Project Leadership
• Direct cultural resource investigations in the field and laboratory
• Lead and organize archaeological field crews
• Oversee excavation activities including shovel testing, test units, and trenching
• Conduct survey transects (up to 15 miles per day, project-dependent)
• Ensure compliance with project methodologies and safety protocols
• Technical & Documentation Responsibilities
• Complete archaeological site forms, sketches, profiles, logs, and required documentation to be used in the preparation of technical reports
• Identify and describe soil profiles, horizons, artifacts, and cultural features
• Manage artifact processing, organization, inventory, and curation
• Data & Tools
• Direct data management prior to and during field projects
• Utilize GIS tools such as Survey
  123 and Field Maps (project-dependent)

Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field. Minimum 1 year of professional archaeological supervisory experience (academic experience does not fulfill this requirement). Meets Secretary of the Interior Standards for Archaeology. Strong written, verbal, and technical documentation skills. Ability to exercise professional judgment and discretion. Valid REAL r's license with a clean driving record. Ability to pass required drug screening.

Preferred (project-dependent) experience includes experience with Mid-Atlantic Archaeology, cultural resource survey experience on military installations, familiarity with ArcGIS applications (Survey
123, Field Maps), and experience organizing and managing archaeological data and inventories.

Field assignments may require travel and work at locations remote from the home office. Assignments are project-based and may involve extended field deployments. Advance notice of assignments is provided whenever feasible. Periodic travel may include overnight stays; international travel is rare but possible.

This role includes fieldwork with physical demands typical of archaeological investigations. Reasonable accommodation may be provided where appropriate. Ability to walk up to 15 miles per day in uneven terrain. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (typically 35 pounds of field gear). Ability to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and climb as required. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception.

This is a part-time, project-based role designed for experienced professionals seeking flexibility. If you meet SOI standards and enjoy leading field investigations without a full-time schedule, we encourage you to apply. This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.