Assistant Staff Archaeologist

About the role

SWCA has an opportunity for three Assistant Staff Archaeologists working in Nevada, reporting into our Las Vegas, Nevada office. You will communicate with Field Directors, Project Managers, and GIS staff through regular, scheduled field status reports. The Assistant Staff Archaeologist will participate in technical research, writing, and data QA/QC for reporting efforts, and assist with survey and excavation projects in the field, including collecting GPS data using tablets and/or iPads, taking photographs, and documenting resource characteristics.

Our Las Vegas office specializes in cultural and natural resources services within a relaxed work environment. We take pride in rapidly delivering on client needs, which can lead to extended field efforts with overtime compensation. With our network of offices across the US, we have the ability to move our field staff rapidly to meet these needs, and the selected technician may have the opportunity to assist on a wide variety of projects across the country as a result.

This position is temporary, hourly, and non-exempt with a strong preference for individuals within driving distance of Las Vegas, NV. Project work will occur primarily in Nevada, although opportunities to work in the SW USA may also arise. You should be able to work flexible hours with the potential for long-term field mobilizations for specific projects. Per diem and lodging are provided for all project work requiring overnight stays away from the home office.

Responsibilities

• Conduct archaeological fieldwork under the direction of a Project Manager or Field Director on projects including monitoring, survey, testing, and data recovery.
• Conduct archaeological survey, excavation, and associated field recording, including completion of field forms, digital photography, and in-field mapping.
• Thrive in our team-oriented approach to project execution.
• Maintain a strong commitment to customer service and to producing quality work.
• Identify historic and prehistoric artifacts accurately.
• Conduct archaeological lab work, including artifact washing, analysis, and curation preparation.
• Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
• For Assistant Staff Archaeologists, depending upon project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise a small crew while conducting archaeological fieldwork. This includes:
  • Use SWCA-provided personal protective equipment and comply with all SWCA and client safety policies.
  • Independently assign and direct the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
  • Ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and be held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely.
  • Serve as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers.
  • Receive and resolve complaints from employees in the field.
  • Monitor team productivity and provide timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology or a closely related field.
• Current valid driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4wd vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, often at high altitudes, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Willing to travel overnight for extended periods of time. Travel percentage within Nevada is expected to be 95%.
• Work up to 40 hours per week.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience with a wide range of field methodologies, including archaeological survey, testing, and monitoring.
• At least 3 to 6 months of experience with Nevada and/or desert SW resource definitions and recording guidelines.
• Experience authoring cultural resources technical reports following Nevada reporting guidelines.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS, Field Maps software, iPads, and digital field data collection.
• Ability to be listed on federal and state cultural resource permits in Nevada.

Benefits

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm offering a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

• 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).
• Medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life, and disability plans.
• Eligibility to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.
• Performance bonuses.
• Professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria.
• Career development programs, including the Career Landscape initiative to help employees chart rewarding career paths.

Pay

An Assistant Staff Archaeologist in this Las Vegas, NV-based position can expect a rate of $21.63/hour to $27.81/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses.