Project Archaeologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Archaeologist to support our Houston, Texas Gulf Coast team. This role is a core member of our Cultural Resources Program, responsible for managing cultural resources projects, including proposals, fieldwork, research, report writing, quality assurance/quality control reviews, and managing client, agency, and tribal relationships.

This is a regular, full-time, hourly position with benefits. Annual pay will be commensurate with individual qualifications and experience. While we prefer candidates based in the Houston area, we are open to a distributed arrangement for the right candidate located in the Southeast U.S.

Application deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

• Leads or assists assigned projects with initiative, taking responsibility for the technical approach, project management, and ensuring quality assurance and control. Develops and manages deliverables for more complex projects, managing tasks under the direction of a senior project manager.
• Innovates and adapts methods to meet future client needs, staying ahead in their professional discipline.
• Encourages team collaboration, fostering an environment where team members work together to achieve project goals and share information effectively.
• Makes project management or task decisions, urgently when necessary, using sound judgment to consider trade-offs and ensure project success (within project parameters).
• Develops and manages technical approaches and directs and conducts quality assurance and control tasks.
• Completes technical reviews of deliverables, ensuring they meet project requirements and professional standards.
• Communicates effectively with clients and agencies, being responsive to their requirements and developing strong professional relationships.
• Completes project tasks promptly, ensuring client satisfaction and resolution of any issues, while contributing to team unity and effective collaboration.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Work with agency representatives for successful project implementation.
• Assist with technical, high-quality proposals, research plans, Section 106-related reports, and literature reviews, with oversight from subject matter experts and project managers.
• Nurture and develop agency relationships.
• Oversee report deliverables, adhering to SWCA’s Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program.
• Write scientific and technically sound reports and research related to cultural resources

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

• A Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in cultural resources management (CRM) on a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Can lead projects/tasks from start to finish, with guidance (PM for medium projects or Task Lead for large projects)
• Permittable as a Principal Investigator in TX.
• Performs technical subject matter expert review of cultural resources deliverables
• Available for occasional project visits and PI reviews in the field, but mostly an office-based position

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven (7) years of experience in cultural resources management on a variety of project types, sizes, regions, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Meet the Secretary of Interior’s standards for archaeology.

Applicants must be willing to participate in drug and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, when required by project or client requirements. 

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

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.  

Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.  

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. 

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Houston, TX -based position is $34.88 to $44.61/hr. 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.