Cultural Resources Technician

SWCA has an opportunity in our Sacramento, California office for a Cultural Resources Technician. This is a temporary, on-call, hourly position. Our Sacramento office offers a unique work environment and specializes in Cultural Resources Management and Environmental Compliance.

About the role

You will assist the Field Director and Project Team in completing archaeological pedestrian surveys, construction monitoring, and other field or office tasks. Responsibilities include GPS data collection using tablet units, coordinating with contractors in the field, and communicating with the team through daily reporting of field activities.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and maintain SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance, and have the awareness to identify and resolve challenges in creative ways.
• Perform all aspects of archaeological survey, excavation, monitoring, data collection, and documentation in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal guidelines and requirements.
• Identify cultural materials while safely working on construction sites and around heavy equipment; communicate resource requirements with construction personnel and other monitors.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with construction crews and project personnel.
• Maintain written daily survey, monitoring, or site-recordation logs and provide daily email updates to project management.
• Perform digital photography and utilize electronic data collection tools and GIS mapping applications.
• Perform basic laboratory studies.
• Follow instructions and ask informed questions.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times and during all interactions with project personnel and members of the public.
• Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history, or a closely related field is required.
• Participation in an accredited field school or equivalent experience.
• At least 6 months to 1 year of professional experience identifying and documenting cultural resources.
• Experience should include work as a field archeologist in California or the Great Basin using a range of field methodologies, including survey, testing, excavation, and monitoring.
• Familiarity with California prehistoric and historical cultural resources (including ability to quantify/analyze materials) and the culture history of California.
• Ability to read and interpret topographical maps and navigate using a compass.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills (both oral and written) and ability to coordinate effectively with SWCA senior staff and other project personnel.
• Ability to work safely and cooperatively with minimal supervision.
• Availability to work extended field rotations (10-12 days at a time) and travel accordingly.
• Ability to pass a Motor Vehicle background screening.
• Ability to travel to locations, 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.
• Current valid driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.
• Currently reside in northern California (Sacramento area preferred).
• Active 40-hour HAZWOPER training is a plus.

Pay

An employee in this Sacramento-based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $21.73–$28.68/hr. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.