Lead Archaeologist (Crew Chief - New Mexico)

Key Responsibilities

• Use experience, education from a degreed program, and professional judgment to identify and target locations of enhanced site probability based on cultural, geological, and other environmental features.
• Adhere to project health and safety plan and participate, and/or lead when necessary, in office and field training and meetings.
• Offer recommendations for improvements to Health & Safety Manager.
• Perform pre-field background research, prepare maps, input data into electronic devices, and prepare project summary for field staff.
• Conduct archaeological survey, testing, and excavation in support of Phase I, II, and III studies in accordance with the research design to identify, record, and evaluate historic and prehistoric cultural resources.
• Conduct archaeological monitoring during project construction as required, including coordination with contractors.
• Provide in-field supervision to field teams including Archaeological Assistants, Archaeological Technicians, Archaeologists, and other Lead Archaeologists while working alongside them to fulfill the daily, weekly, or project-length research requirements.
• Provide daily updates on project progress to the Principal Investigator/Project Manager.
• Recognize archaeological signatures and apply reasoning to evaluate resources.
• Record accurate, organized, and clear field notes, maps, drawings, logs, forms, tables, databases, artifact bags, box labels, and other project documentation.
• Collect and inventory artifacts, ecofacts, and samples in accordance with the research design, and keep an accurate field specimen log.
• Identify potential human and faunal remains, and treat any suspected human burial remains respectfully and in a manner consistent with the research design and applicable State and Federal guidelines and laws.
• Perform quality control of field data (hand-written and electronic) on a daily basis to ensure information is accurate and complete.
• Use electronic and traditional navigational equipment (GPS, iPad/ArcCollector/Survey 123, compass, transit, etc.) to determine project limits, record fieldwork, document findings, and communicate progress.
• Photo-document artifacts, features, excavation units, land use, landscapes, unique environmental features, historic structures, archaeology sites, unique environmental features, specialized equipment or technique usage, and work-in-progress.
• Procure and maintain field equipment, technology, field laboratory supplies, vehicles, and supplies in a clean, working, and safe manner and report any malfunctions, shortages, and risks to project leadership.
• Occasionally meet with, coordinate, and collaborate with landowners, land agents, clients, other field research teams, and visiting regulatory agency staff.
• Occasionally contribute to thorough, accurate, professional, high-quality technical reports and minor project reviews.
• Complete timesheets and other administrative or project requirements accurately and on schedule.
• Understand and adhere to the SEARCH Brand Guidelines, SEARCH Style Guide, SEARCH Fieldwork Guide, and the SEARCH Employee Manual, and encourage others to do the same.
• Understand and strictly adhere to SEARCH's confidentiality, non-disclosure, and social media agreements, as well as any project- or client-specific requirements limiting the release of project data.
• Analyze artifacts and write up artifact descriptions.
• Maintain utilization goals.
• Travel for extended periods of time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Permitted or eligible to be permitted in NM or AZ (BLM, ASM, and/or State Lands).
• Completion of an accredited archaeological field school.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional archaeological field experience.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience in the field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines while remaining detail oriented, organized, and able to work well on multiple tasks.
• Ability to obtain government security clearance.
• Valid driver's license, a good driving record, and access to reliable transportation.

Qualifications Preferred

• Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Located in, or willing to relocate to, Tucson, Arizona.
• Understanding of the Cultural Resource Management (CRM) industry (firms, clients, contracts, new research, and projects) at the regionwide, nationwide, and worldwide level.
• Understanding of State and Federal cultural resource laws, particularly the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior's professional qualifications standards for archaeology and be an RPA or be eligible to become an RPA.
• Report writing experience as main author or contributor.
• Cert competent at collecting field data using a total station or land survey equipment.
• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) or other remote-sensing technology.
• CPR, Lifesaving, Wilderness First Aid, HAZWOPER, or other health and safety training.
• Off-road driving training and/or experience.

About SEARCH

SEARCH is a global leader in archaeology, maritime archaeology, and the full spectrum of cultural heritage services. SEARCH's staff are industry leaders and subject matter experts who support commercial and government clients worldwide. Since 1993, SEARCH has completed over 5,000 projects nationwide and across 44 countries, spanning seven continents and four oceans. By integrating science, technology, and creativity, SEARCH harnesses the power of the past to advance the projects, places, and people it serves.