Associate Project Archaeologist

About the role

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Associate Project Archaeologist for our Rocky Mountain Plains subregion. This position will be based out of our Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN office or our Bismarck, ND office, but distributed employees within driving distance of either office will be seriously considered. Under the supervision of a Project Manager or Lead Archaeologist, the Associate Project Archaeologist will assist on all aspects of cultural resource projects from pre-field desktop reviews to coordinating agency deliverables. This work is well-suited for a team-oriented individual that thrives in a collaborative work environment. Creative problem-solving skills are a must. This position has an approximately 30% field-based component, with overnight travel required.

Responsibilities

• Assist project managers on all aspects of cultural resource projects, including budgeting, schedule, fieldwork, and reporting.
• Conduct background research for archaeological studies, including records searches.
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are ready for fieldwork.
• Coordinate with agency personnel, subconsultants, construction crews, and Native American monitors, as needed, to arrange fieldwork and facilitate projects.
• Supervise fieldwork, including archaeological survey, testing, data recovery, and/or construction monitoring, and ensure quality and completeness of data collected.
• Communicate regularly with project managers to ensure that a project’s budgetary and timetable needs are met.
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Maintain SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance; be motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.
• Take responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Meets the requirements to be an Archaeological Principal Investigator in North Dakota.
• Experience with the archaeology of the Midwest.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in cultural resources management (CRM) on a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in managing all aspects of archaeological projects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation), including working on a variety of project types and sizes, in multiple regions, and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Experience with federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to the management of cultural resources (National Environmental Policy Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act).
• Has provided QA/QC review of field documents, site forms, and reports.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes in project needs, agency requests, and more.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a variety of colleagues, clients, and agency representatives.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Team-oriented attitude.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in cultural resources management (CRM) on a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology, including at least one year of supervisory experience in prehistory and/or history.
• Excellent technical writing skills with a record of completing technical reports in a timely fashion.
• Has worked on an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and planners.
• Experience and interest in business development, proposal writing, and client management.
• Experience overseeing junior staff.
• Experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Experience collecting field data utilizing modern mobile technology (tablets, Bluetooth GPS receivers, mobile software).
• Experience with computer-based programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, ArcGIS Online, and others.

Why Work At SWCA

SWCA is a growing, 1,960+ staff, employee-owned firm providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our vision is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

SWCA offers a Total Rewards package, including a competitive benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, and award-winning career development. SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff.

Pay

An employee in this North Dakota-based position can expect an hourly rate of $29.87/hr - $38.11/hr. 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.

Benefits

Candidates are encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package, workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, and career development opportunities. For more details, visit SWCA Benefits & Wellness.