Senior Archaeologist (Field Director)

About the role

GAI is seeking a Senior Archaeologist (Field Director) to support various projects across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern regions. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, excavating, recording, and reporting on archaeological sites and projects in accordance with state and federal standards and guidelines. Projects may include Phase I through Phase III studies on both historic and precontact sites.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Supervise Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III studies on both prehistoric and historic archaeological sites and, when necessary, assist in the preparation of reports and proposals along with client and agency coordination.
• Responsible for supervising field crew and interacting with office and laboratory staff, and client representatives.
• Responsible for identifying and recording historic and prehistoric archaeological sites, supervising hand and mechanical excavations, generating plan and profile maps of excavated units and features, completing standard level and feature forms, and screening soils to recover artifacts.
• Identify artifacts (stone tools, pottery, historic-period ceramics, glass, etc.) in the field as well as accurately document the context of recovered items.
• Responsible for producing accurate field notes and records needed for report preparation.
• May be responsible for assisting in the processing of artifacts in GAI’s laboratory which may include washing, cleaning, preliminary analysis, or other curation procedures.
• Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of safety policies and regulations to ensure duties of self and others are performed in a safe manner.
• This position will be in the field 60 to 70% of the time. The project will require frequent travel and overnight stays throughout the North East and Mid-Atlantic region. The distance should be expected to be a 50 to 400 mile radius – sometimes further. The projects can often be in remote areas in any and all conditions.
• Responsible for any and all other duties assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• B.A. or M.A. degree in Anthropology, Archaeology or a related field plus field school (preferred)
• Experienced in the Section 106 process
• Ability to maintain valid driver's license

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 items and equipment weighing up to 40lbs
• Hike over various types of terrain for long distances 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
• Competently drive a full-size pickup truck, daily and for trips potentially up to 8 hours long

General Characteristics

• Continues to acquire intermediate 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
• Solid understanding of data base software, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Must do a variety of administrative functions via use of the computer

Minimum Years Of Experience

• 6+ Years of Experience

Education

• B.A./B.S. Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Historic Preservation, American Studies, or associated degree

Technical Responsibilities

• Advanced understanding of National Historic Preservation Act
• Excellent field skills
• Archaeological monitoring
• Solid understanding of artifacts and soils
• Photography skills
• Strong mapping skills
• Accurate completion of field forms
• Literature searches
• Sketch maps
• Compass/navigation skills
• Writing reports of archaeological investigations
• Preparation of report figures
• Assists in proposals (i.e. scope of work, budgets, etc.)

Project and Task Management

• Personal task management and adherence to deadlines and scope
• Quality control of field work and documentation
• Coach/Mentor less experienced staff
• Required to lead and direct field crews on larger, complex projects
• Responsible for staying on budget and schedule
• Discuss work performance of technicians with Managers
• Able to work independently

Communication Skills

• Possess oral and written communication skills
• Interacts well with other staff, clients, landowners, contractors, etc.
• Communicates well with agency officials
• Communicate effectively with supervisor, coworkers and with lesser experienced personnel
• Convey field results clearly and concisely to senior level cultural resources staff
• Coordinates well with other non-cultural resources GAI staff