Staff Archaeologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a temporary Staff Archaeologist to join our Southern California Cultural Resources Program. Under the supervision of a Cultural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, this role performs field and office tasks while providing day-to-day guidance and support to archaeological field crews.

The Staff Archaeologist will help coordinate field activities and lead crews of archaeological surveyors, monitors, and/or excavators. The role may also assist with office-based tasks, including the preparation of site forms and technical reports in support of renewable energy, oil and gas, energy transmission, transportation, and land development projects. Some projects include overtime hours or prevailing wage rates and often require travel and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays.

This role supports projects throughout Southern California, with anticipated fieldwork across the region.

This is a temporary, full-time, hourly/non-exempt position with benefits. The position will be primarily field-based and offers an excellent opportunity to continue developing field leadership and technical skills within SWCA’s expanding practice.

Field Supervisory Responsibilities: Depending upon project assignments, this role may serve as the lead for field survey crews, independently directing daily work activities, promoting safe and productive work practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback in support of successful project delivery.

Application Deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

 We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Performs assigned tasks with appropriate supervision, demonstrating the ability to prioritize project work based on client requests and project requirements.
• Contributes productively to team efforts, seeking input from colleagues and project managers to ensure task accuracy and adherence to professional standards.
• Oversees the work of teams for data collection, processing, analysis, and quality control tasks.
• Develops components of project deliverables, contributing to technical reports and planning documents in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
• Communicates task progress and issues effectively, ensuring transparency and facilitating timely resolution of any challenges.
• Participates actively in team projects, fostering a collaborative work environment and sharing information to enhance project outcomes.
• Completes assigned data collection tasks in the field or through research, as well as data processing and analysis tasks.
• Ensures adherence to policies and professional standards, maintaining the integrity and quality of work.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities 

• Coordinate day-to-day field activities and provide field leadership to archaeological survey, monitoring, and excavation crews.
• Support coordination with clients, agency representatives, project managers, and interdisciplinary teams to meet project requirements.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, work plans, proposals, literature reviews, and curation materials.
• Apply SWCA’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures to assigned fieldwork and project deliverables.
• Promote team safety, contribute to project safety planning when applicable, and identify and communicate potential field hazard.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. One year of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Two years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of experience in cultural resources field activities, including experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Some experience in managing projects, including working on a variety of project types and sizes, on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation), in multiple regions, and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Experience in cultural resources management (CRM) with a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience with the archaeology of Southern California.
• Expertise in 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).
• Experience providing QA/QC review of field documents, site forms, and reports
• Current valid driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4wd vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads required
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and often at high altitudes, and the ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in cultural resources field activities.
• One (1) or more years of experience managing projects.
• 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.
• Eligible to be listed as a qualified Field Director under SWCA's California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) statewide permit
• Demonstrated technical writing skills with a record of completing technical reports in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated experience working with interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and planners.
• Experience and interest in business development, proposal writing, and client management.
• Experience supervising junior staff.
• Experience collecting field data utilizing modern mobile technology (tablets, Bluetooth GPS receivers, mobile software).

Other Job Conditions

When driving is required 

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements. 

When traveling is required 

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.  

Safety Expectations 

Staff level: Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.   

Work Environment 

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures. 

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Pasadena, CA-based position is $26.94 – $34.47 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact accommodations@swca.com or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.

Use of Technology in Hiring 

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience. 

Candidate Use of AI 

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.