Mid-Senior Archaeologist

Mission Viejo, CA
Full Time
Mid Level

Location(s): Pasadena or Mission Viejo
Practice/Department: Cultural
Internal Title: Archaeologist III
Work Environment: Hybrid with fieldwork
Compensation: $75,000-$110,000

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies.
Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.
Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.
Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.

Who You Are

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.
Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Dudek is seeking to fill a mid-level staff archaeologist position for our Pasadena or Mission Viejo office. The qualified candidate will have an M.A in anthropology or a closely related field and at least six years of experience in cultural resource management. The qualified candidate will have a strong background in research and writing, along with the ability to travel. Additional preferred skills include a strong work ethic and analytical expertise. 
The successful candidate should have excellent writing and communication skills and a working knowledge of California pre-contact and historic archaeology, including knowledge of the archaeological record of Southern California. Familiarity with local, state, and federal cultural resources regulations and guidelines is a plus.
Primary work is expected to be conducted in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, although responsibilities may include projects in other areas of California like in the Great Basin and elsewhere. Dudek’s clients include private and public entities. Projects include planning and implementation ventures that range from on-call contracts, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) document support, solar, wind and utilities infrastructure, local infill and development, and transportation, among others.
This role is anticipated to largely be hybrid, however, candidate should have capacity to complete and lead fieldwork and report to the Pasadena or Mission Viejo office for weekly meetings. As such, candidates will be able to work under physically strenuous conditions. Good communication skills, the ability to work as a crew member and/or manage field crews, ensure paperwork is completed accurately, and logically support field decisions are also desirable qualities. 
Should have the ability to work with staff in coordinating archaeological projects and drafting sections of technical reports. The anticipated trajectory of this position will be drafting the majority of technical reports of moderate complexity within one year of hiring. 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Will work under the direct supervision of senior cultural staff, as well as in coordination with other cultural resources staff throughout Dudek
  • There is potential for a hybrid work schedule; however, the reporting office is expected to be in Pasadena
  • Preferred location is Los Angeles, Orange, or western Riverside County; such that weekly or bi-weekly meetings in Pasadena are feasible.
  • Primary fieldwork and reporting focus will be in the Southern California region, although incidental fieldwork and reporting for projects elsewhere in California, Nevada, Arizona, or other locations, depending on expertise and need, may be required.
  • Ability to lead small crews in the field and operate as an archaeological field director.
  • Work is intended to be approximately 30% in the field and 70% in the office, although this may vary depending on project and seasonal fieldwork needs.
  • Knowledge of regional archaeology.
  • Understanding of standard office applications and field mapping software
  • Team-oriented attitude and approach.
  • Excellent communication skills

Minimum Qualifications

  • MA (can be in progress) or similar degree in Anthropology/Archaeology or a closely related field
  • A BA or equivalent degree, accompanied by substantial writing and management experience, may be acceptable.
  • Minimum of 6 years’ of work experience in archaeology completing fieldwork, analysis, and reporting
  • A motivated work ethic
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment

Preferred Qualifications

•    Proactive, archaeological field lead experience, strong writing, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
•    Analytical expertise in a specialized field related to anthropology or archaeology
•    Knowledge of local, state, and federal cultural resources regulations and guidelines
•    Strong organizational, coordination, and writing skills.
Compensation:$75,000-$110,000 annually*
  • *Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment.

Working Conditions
Environment

  • This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
  • This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors, which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:
  • Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
  • Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.
  • Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.
Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.
Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.

 
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