JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
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Title: Preservation Archaeologist
Location: Remote, with preference for Tucson-based candidates
Salary Rate: $60,000 per year
Classification: Exempt
Position open until filled
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off (200 hours annually with additional hours each year)
- Health insurance,
- Vision plan
- Optional dental plan (50% subsidized)
- 401k plan with 20% employer match
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Who We Are
Founded in 1989, Archaeology Southwest is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, on the homelands of the Tohono O’odham and the Pascua Yaqui. We practice Preservation Archaeology, a holistic and conservation-based approach to exploring and protecting heritage places while also honoring the diverse values these places hold for people. We are committed to real and ongoing collaboration with Tribes in all areas of our work. In our workplace and activities, we strive for inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, and identity. For more information, please visit www.archaeologysouthwest.org.
Save History & the ARPA Assistance Program
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) ARPA Assistance Program is a collective of archaeologists and law enforcement allied with Tribes to protect cultural heritage. Our team collaborates with Tribes to prevent, detect, and respond to archaeological resource crimes. We create educational resources for practitioners and the public, facilitate ARPA training events, and help remediate archaeological sites that have been damaged by looting and vandalism. Our website, SaveHistory.org, supports the movement to end looting on Tribal lands and provides a confidential archaeological resource crime reporting mechanism for the public.
Position Objectives
Archaeology Southwest seeks a flexible, resourceful, and detail-oriented individual to help prevent, detect, and respond to violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) on Tribal Lands. The individual will be part of the BIA ARPA Assistance Program that conducts and supports archaeological resource damage assessments, produces damage assessment reports, facilitates ARPA training sessions, and engages with public audiences to prevent looting and increase reports of violations.
Lived or work experience in a Native American community is required. The selected candidate will work closely with archaeologists, Tribal, Federal, and state government officials, law enforcement professionals, and legal specialists to advance the goals of the BIA and Archaeology Southwest ARPA Assistance Program. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in public and professional presentations, cultural resource management fieldwork, and building collaborations with diverse teams. Expertise or education in media production, social media management, law enforcement, ecological restoration, or other relevant fields is a plus.
Position Duties
- Conduct archaeological damage assessments, field surveys, archaeological site monitoring and documentation, and site repair and remediation treatments throughout the United States.
- Author or co-author reports concerning archaeological damage assessments, field surveys, site monitoring programs, etc.
- Participate in formal and informal training to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to act as Lead Archaeologist on archaeological damage assessments.
- Implement and refine recommended practices for investigating and documenting archaeological resource damage assessment.
- Assist in preparing for, conducting, and reporting on field projects, including assembly and deployment, of personnel, equipment, and supplies, coordination of travel and related logistics, and curation of physical evidence and digital and paper records in accord with chain-of-custody protocols.
- Conduct ARPA training workshops for archaeologists, law enforcement, and land management personnel.
- Identify, plan, support, and implement Tribal collaboration initiatives.
- Produce content and provide quality assurance for SaveHistory.org, including interviews, blog posts, and video storytelling
- Perform administrative, program support, research, and field duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Master’s degree in anthropological archaeology OR a bachelor’s degree with additional years of experience;
- Five or more years of experience in archaeological fieldwork and report preparation;
- Available to travel for field work assignments with little advance notice;
- Lived or work experience with Native American communities;
- Strong technical writing and communication skills, including demonstrated expertise in the preparation of complex technical documents with little or no supervision;
- Capacity to adhere to standards for handling of forensic evidence, confidential information, and sensitive records;
- A full range of fieldwork skills in archaeology or a closely related discipline, including skills in drawing maps, photography, GIS, artifact and feature identification and description, and broad knowledge of Western US archaeological contexts and methods;
- Ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours in challenging conditions—remote locations, rugged terrain, inclement weather—and carry up to 25lbs of equipment;
- Highly organized and able to meet deadlines;
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Desired Skills
- Specialized artifact analysis
- Osteology experience
- Experience with GIS
- Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA)
Non-discrimination Statement
It is the policy of Archaeology Southwest to consider all applicants for employment and all employees for placement, development programs, job assignments, transfers, promotions, and any other status change without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, gender, disability, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, gender identity, economic circumstances, and/or veteran status.
Prepare a cover letter stating your interest in this position:
- Include at least one paragraph in your cover letter describing your experience working and/or living in a Native American community (or communities).
- Include names and contact information of three persons who can serve as references regarding your previous employment experience.
Submit cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Linda Pierce, Deputy Director
Archaeology Southwest
281 N. Stone Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-849-6477