Entry Level Staff Archaeologist

Description

HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. (HELIX), a growing, employee-owned California-based environmental consulting and planning firm, is currently seeking an early career Staff Archaeologist to join our Cultural Resources Team located in our Sacramento-area offices (Folsom and Roseville). HELIX offers cultural resources, environmental, biological, acoustical, air quality, and GIS services to both the public and private sectors. This position is an opportunity to contribute to a growing cultural resources group and apply your skills in assisting senior staff in planning and implementing cultural resource investigations in central and northern California. Assignments will include field survey and excavation, construction monitoring, and tribal outreach and coordination. HELIX offers a fast-paced environment in which flexibility and attention to detail distinguish high-performing team members.

Why work at HELIX?

• Employee-owned since 2004
• Offers a hybrid work schedule with flexibility of working in-office and remotely
• Invested in professional growth and employee development and training
• Recognized for our workplace practices, employee wellness programs, and community contributions
• Named as one of the 2023 Best Firms to Work For by ZweigGroup

HELIX also offers a competitive benefits package, that includes:

• Robust Health Coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employee and dependents
• Life/Long Term Disability Insurance
• Accrual of Paid Personal Time Off
• Bonus Program
• Wellness Program
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan participation
• 401K participation with employer contributions

The successful candidate will assist senior HELIX cultural resources staff with a variety of tasks determined by project needs at any given time and will expose them to a variety of local, state, and federal regulatory requirements; a diversity of reviewing agencies; and varying documentation requirements. Applicants must have a strong work ethic, positive attitude, experience working in a team-oriented environment, and the ability to complete assigned tasks independently. Excellent reading comprehension skills and the ability to think and write critically are also vital elements of this position.

Office tasks may include (but are not limited to):

• CHRIS records search submittals and results analysis;
• Historic-era map and aerial photograph analysis;
• Native American tribal outreach and coordination;
• Focused writing assignments under the supervision of senior authors.

Assigned fieldwork duties may include (but are not limited to):

• Field survey within the Central Valley, Sierran foothills, and greater Sacramento or San Francisco Bay areas;
• Extended archaeological survey requiring multi-week stays close to project areas in US National Forests or elsewhere;
• Cultural resources site recording via handheld GPS devices, narrative notes, photographs, scaled sketch maps, and the preparation of Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) forms;
• Delivering Workers Environmental Awareness Trainings with an emphasis on cultural resource sensitivity
• Archaeological construction monitoring;
• Additional field and office assignments, as deemed necessary by HELIX senior cultural resources staff.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, full-time (40 hours) per week

Work Location: In-person in either Folsom or Roseville is expected for the first six (6) months of employment; hybrid office/remote arrangements may be considered based on performance after this period but are not guaranteed.

Hourly wages will be based on qualifications and/or experience. Expected starting pay ranges between $28 to $32 per hour and will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience.

Interested applicants should apply for this position via the provided link below and should be prepared to provide a detailed resume or curriculum vitae, a cover letter demonstrating your archaeological experience and how you meet this position’s requirements, and a list of no fewer than three references who can speak to your ability to perform the tasks mentioned above. Please also list/describe any additional skills.

HELIX is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and an inclusive work environment. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, disability, age, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service or veteran status. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs.

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Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Staff Archaeologist:

• Bachelor's Degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field
• One year of demonstrable professional experience in cultural resources management. An accredited field school may be considered in lieu of one of the years of professional experience.
• Strong interpersonal, writing, organizational, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrable experience conducting archaeological survey, in-field analysis, resource documentation, field data collection, and management of field data and forms.
• Ability and willingness to work in challenging terrain, remote locations, and potentially inclement weather.
• Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork out of town for multiple consecutive days or weeks as projects require.
• Familiarity with the use of handheld GPS units.
• Familiarity with the prehistoric and historic-era archaeology of Northern and Central California.
• Access to a reliable motor vehicle and possession of a valid California driver’s license with a clean driving record over the last three years.

Preferred Requirements for Staff Archaeologist:

• Master’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field
• Additional certifications in related fields