Assistant Cultural Resources Technician 1

About the role

GAI Consultants, Inc., is seeking an Assistant Cultural Resources Technician 1 to support various projects across the mid-Atlantic and Midwestern regions. This technician will be responsible for identifying, excavating, and recording potential sites following state archaeological standards. Projects may include Phase I through Phase III, historical and/or prehistoric investigations.

Responsibilities

• Maintains appropriate level of client confidentiality
• Excavates, screens, and collects archaeological materials in accordance with state archaeological standards
• Identifies and records any archaeological features and structures within project right-of-way
• Photographs and maps survey areas, testing locations, excavations, and any observable cultural resources
• Accurately completes paper and/or electronic field forms
• Records soils using a Munsell soil chart
• Uses a compass for basic orienteering within the project vicinity
• Manually removes brush/vegetation when necessary
• Works outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Hikes, off-trail, while carrying tools and equipment
• Performs any and all other duties assigned by supervisor

Physical Requirements

• Use fine motor skills to handle delicate objects, write by hand, feel sharp objects, and reach with hands/arms
• Possess satisfactory close range vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Talk, hear, taste or smell
• Stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Lift and/or move up to 40lbs
• Hike over various types of terrain while carrying up to 25lbs of gear
• Extensively dig/shovel
• Manually clear brush/vegetation from testing locations
• Work outdoors in extreme temperatures and weather conditions

General Characteristics

• Shows progress acquiring basic skills; follows procedures; good organizational skills; works with safety in mind, must be flexible with work hours and willing to travel up to 100% during the weekdays and occasional weekend travel and/or work
• Able to do physically demanding work

Minimum Years of Experience

1 to 2 Years of Experience

Education

• A.A. or B.A./B.S. Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Historic Preservation, American Studies, or associated degree
• Enrolled in field school
• Equivalent skills and experience

Technical Responsibilities

• Primarily field position; excavation skills; accurate note taking and completion of field forms; sketch maps, basic photography; basic compass/navigation skills
• Employee responsible for obtaining their basic field kits; must possess steel toed shoes; responsibility for maintaining and upkeep of company issued field equipment

Project and Task Management

• Responsible for personal task management and adherence to deadlines and scope
• Management Responsibility: No managerial responsibilities at this level
• Employee responsible for taking direction from a leader

Communication Skills

• Possess basic oral and written communication skills
• Interacts with well with other staff
• Able to function positively in a team environment

Why GAI?

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You’ll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you’ll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development. At GAI, you’ll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay & Recognition
• Market based, competitive compensation
• Performance driven recognition and development bonuses
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
• Meaningful Work–Life Balance
• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
• An additional floating holiday—use it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Growth, Learning & Financial Security
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications