What are the responsibilities and job description for the ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD TECHNICIANS position at Commonwealth Heritage Group?
About Us
Founded in 1988, Commonwealth Heritage Group, Inc. (Commonwealth) is a full-service heritage management and consulting
firm serving clients for projects of all sizes. Commonwealth is a small business and proud founding member of the American
Cultural Resources Association, a trade association of the cultural resources management industry.
Since its founding, Commonwealth has grown through mergers with other cultural resource companies (e.g., Coastal Carolina
Research, Inc. in 2009, Sagebrush Consultants, Inc. in 2013, John Milner Associates, Inc. in 2014, SouthArc, Inc. in 2020, and ACS
and Panamerican in 2021). This growth has enabled our team to work in diverse geographical regions and allows us to work
with customers nationwide from our headquarters in Dexter, MI and our regional offices.
As an experienced industry leader, Commonwealth has consistently delivered quality services to its clients and developed an
outstanding reputation with clients and regulatory agencies for understanding the intricacies of heritage management planning,
permitting, and project implementation.
The company’s portfolio reflects numerous accolades and acknowledgments from the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Federal Highway Administration, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the American Society of Landscape Architects,
the Society for American Archaeology, the American Cultural Resources Association, and Michigan Department of State.
Commonwealth is an M/F/D/V Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Description
Commonwealth Heritage Group is searching for archaeological field technicians for fieldwork across the country. Archaeologists
are part of a team that is responsible for conducting shovel testing, pedestrian survey, and site documentation, which includes
feature and artifact identification and analyses; site descriptions; photographs; and mapping.
The Archaeologist successfully executes the following tasks:
- Works up to 10-hour days in moderately challenging terrain and sometimes difficult weather conditions
- Excavates a minimum of 10 STUs (50 by 50 cm) or 20 STPs (35-cm round) per day depending on state requirements
- Walks a full day in rugged terrain while carrying appropriate gear
- Excavates 1-by-1-m test units or similar in stratigraphic profiles and complete associated unit paperwork
- Identifies historic and prehistoric artifacts
- Conducts archaeological survey and testing
- Complete site sketch maps
- Completes field forms accurately and concisely
- Uses GPS units (Trimble and/or ArcGIS Collector-based systems) for navigation and recording field data
- Photographs resources
Archaeologists should possess, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a related field and have
completed an accredited archaeological field school.
Pay starts at $17/hour; federally contracted projects will pay prevailing wage. Hotel (single occupancy) and per diem provided
for non-local archaeologists, per diem amount will differ depending on location/project. There may be an opportunity for full-
time employment. Must be willing to travel as needed.
Commonwealth is an ACRA member firm; through ACRA’s partnership with the Small Association Leadership Alliance,
Commonwealth’s part-time and temporary employees are all eligible to enroll in the ACRA Healthcare Program. Once
enrolled, you can continue coverage even if you change jobs. Information will be provided upon hire.
Submit your resume for consideration today at www.commonwealthheritagegroup.com/careers/ and select the “General
Fieldwork” option.
PLEASE NOTE: As a condition of employment, Commonwealth requires that all of its employees either be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19 (proof of vaccination will be required) or apply for and have an approved medical or religious exception.
Should you wish to apply for a medical or religious exception, please contact Kathy Bowers (kbowers@chg-inc.com; 610-550-6441).