HELIX is currently seeking a Staff Archaeologist to join our Northern California Cultural Resources Team at our Placer or Sacramento County offices. 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.

The successful candidate will assist senior HELIX cultural resources staff with a variety of tasks determined on a project by project basis.  Project tasks will provide the Staff Archaeologist with the opportunity to contribute to cultural resource management solutions that adhere to local, state, and federal regulatory requirements for a diversity of project types and reviewing agencies. 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 analyses
• Historic-era map and aerial photograph analyses
• Native American tribal outreach and coordination
• Focused writing assignments under the supervision of senior cultural staff

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

• Leading or participating in field surveys 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.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field
• 3+ years 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.

Additional Qualifications Considered a Plus 

• Master’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to assist with the preparation of cultural resources technical reports and/or report sections.
• Extensive experience summarizing previously prepared cultural resource studies.
• Extensive experience documenting sites in the field with Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) forms and in preparing site update forms for previously recorded cultural resources.
• Familiarity with cultural resource requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Additional certifications in related fields.

Work Location & Schedule

• In‑office position with frequent field assignments
• Fieldwork may require multi‑day or multi‑week travel to remote locations
• Projects primarily in Northern and Central California

Salary

Wages will be based on qualifications and/or experience. Expected starting pay ranges between $30-$36 per hour with a robust benefits package.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates must apply online through Paylocity. Begin by clicking “Apply Now” below.

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.