General
This position requires prior technical training. The aim of our company is to provide clients with high-quality research reports in a timely and cost-effective manner. During the field season, our work load may vary from very light to overwhelmingly busy. Since we are a small company, each employee must be able to learn and perform a wide variety of tasks, and be able to switch between disparate tasks as work gets re-prioritized and demands shift. It will not be unusual to find out at 4pm that we have to go to the field the next day, even though we had scheduled it as a lab day.

We are looking for a conscientious, hard working person who has an interest in expanding their skill base as well as furthering their work experience. We will give added consideration to individuals who have a genuine interest in learning more about the Cultural Resource Management process as well as learning new skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Description of Tasks
Employees in this position will be responsible for implementing a variety of tasks associated with archaeological cultural resource management. Due to the small size of our company, archaeological technicians will not be restricted to a single type of work (e.g., fieldwork), but will be required to perform a wide variety of tasks. Tasks may include, but are not limited to:

Field work

• Field survey, testing, and excavation using Shovel Test Pits, excavation units, and walk-over survey.
• Monitoring construction work.
• Mapping.
• Maintaining a professional and friendly attitude with the general public.

• Washing, sorting, and processing artifacts.
• Identifying and cataloging artifacts (based on skill level).
• Processing of special samples (e.g., flotation samples).

• Data entry into a MS Access database.
• Creation and manipulation of computer graphics.
• Physical production of reports (printing, compiling, binding, pasting in photos).
• Answering phones.

• Locating and copying historic maps and documents.
• Researching local histories.
• Writing background sections of reports (based on writing ability).

Travel
Work is based out of the Champlain office, and employees are expected to provide their own transportation to and from the office.

As much as 80% of this position may involve field work, and while we have some local projects lined up, we cannot guarantee projects will be within a daily commuting distance. Projects located more than an hour’s drive will require overnight stays. When crews are on out-of-town projects, we pay for lodging, and we provide the crew with a per-diem allowance for food.

Note for temporary employees from outside the Champlain/Plattsburgh area: We may hire temporary crew for out-of-town work on a project-by-project basis (we generally post jobs on www.shovelbums.org). If such crew is not from the home office area, they are expected to get to the project using their own transportation at their own expense. Hotel and per diem will be provided near the project area. Generally we arrive at the hotel Sunday evening and check out Thursday morning before work. Per diems are provided for the actual work days (Monday - Thursday). We do not pay time or mileage from your home area to the project.

Equipment
Employees must provide a sturdy pair of work boots (steel-toe that meets OSHA standards) and appropriate clothing for the field. The company will provide all excavation equipment and safety equipment when necessary. We are a safety-oriented company.

Qualifications
This position requires prior experience in archaeological field and lab work. Specific qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Anthropology or Archaeology or equivalent experience.
• At least one year’s experience in archaeological field work in the Northeast U.S. (preferably doing Phase I and II CRM work). At least one month’s experience in an archaeological lab.
• Ability to perform physically demanding field work. In the field, you will be digging with a shovel for 8 hours. Employees must be in sufficient physical condition to perform such work.
• Basic familiarity with computers and MS Windows based software. Experience with computer graphics and CAD a plus.
• Ability to work productively with minimal supervision, and to switch between a variety of tasks on short notice.
• Ability to present a professional attitude in public. When we are in the field, we are often approached by people who have little-to-no understanding of archaeology. Their attitudes will range from curiosity, to enthusiasm, to outright hostility. It is imperative that you react cordially, even when you would just assume kick someone.
• Ability to work with other crew members in a team approach.

• Holiday pay: six paid holidays per year (New Years, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and one day in December for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwansa).
• Sick time: four hours of sick time will be accrued for each month of full time work.
   

  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

  See company policies page for additional benefits that are available for longer-term employees.