Cultural Resources Technician

About the opportunity

SWCA has an opportunity in our Sacramento, California office for Cultural Resources Technician who will assist the Field Director and Project Team in completing Archaeological pedestrian surveys, construction monitoring, and other field or office tasks. You will assist with GPS data collection using tablet units, coordinate with contractors in the field, and communicate with the Team through daily reporting of field activities. 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. 

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. 

What you will accomplish

• 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. 

Experience and qualifications for success

• 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 - 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. 

• Candidates must demonstrate excellent attention to detail and will have strong organizational and analytical skills. 

• Must have strong communication skills (both oral and written) and demonstrate ability to coordinate effectively with SWCA senior staff and other project personnel. 

• Candidate must be motivated and able 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 is required. 

• Current valid driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4wd vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads required. 

• Dependable, respectful, organized, pro-active, and on-time. 

• Currently reside in northern California (Sacramento area preferred). 

• Active 40-hour HAZWOPER training a plus. 
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

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.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

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.

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