Archaeology Scientist II

FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS), an ADEC Innovation, is a full-service environmental consulting firm focused on improving the world we live in. It's our goal to improve the lives of all the people we work with, whether they are clients, partners, or colleagues. Come join our team of amazing professionals dedicated to making the world a better place!

Position Summary

FirstCarbon Solutions is seeking a mid-career to senior Archaeologist (CG06 – CG07) to join the team of Cultural Resources Specialists. The selected candidate will be responsible for soliciting, leading, and executing archaeological field projects, as well as providing training and development opportunities to junior staff. Experience with fieldwork such as surveys, monitoring, and excavation, along with research, technical report drafting, and review, is required. The position requires managing multiple projects, adhering to deadlines, and working collaboratively with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. This role reports to either an FCS Senior Archaeologist or the FCS Director of Cultural Resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Solicits and reviews Request for Proposals (RFP) from clients and lead agencies to determine project needs for cultural resources evaluations and prepares project-specific proposals for the appropriate cultural resources’ compliance documents
• Conducts records searches in conjunction with the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) Information Centers (IC) and reviews regional literature, historic maps, historic aerial photographs, and assessor parcel information.
• Performs field surveys, assembles, and manages larger survey teams, when necessary, collects and analyses data, and records resources in the appropriate Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) forms.
• Carries out field work, consultation, and reporting requirements specifics for various lead agencies including, but not limited to: local city and county lead agencies under CEQA; state lead agencies such as California Department of Transportation (CalTrans); and federal lead agencies such as United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Bureau of Reclamation
• Authors and reviews Phase I and Phase II Cultural Resources Assessments (CRA), cultural resources components of Initial Studies (IS) or Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), Historical Property Survey Reports (HPSR), and Archaeological Survey Reports (ASR)
• Prepares Data Recovery Programs (DRP) for projects requiring Phase II testing or Phase III excavation.
• Conducts Phase II and Phase III investigations to lead agency standards, which may include, but is not limited to: site delineation and GIS/GPS mapping, artifact plotting, drawing site sketch maps and taking field photos, surface collection, excavating Shovel Test Probes (STP), excavating Test Units (TU), recording depth and strata levels with off-set measurements, soil screening and sampling, artifact labeling and packaging, preparing artifact catalogs, artifact and assemblage analysis and interpretation, and artifact curation
• Authors and/or reviews Phase II testing and Phase III excavation reports, with all pertinent field data included and analyzed, to lead agency standards.
• Attends pre-construction meetings with contractor, client, lead agency and interested tribal parties in order to determine pre-established Mitigation Measures (MM) or Conditions of Approval (CoA) for grading or excavation projects requiring cultural resources monitoring.
• Prepares Mitigation Monitoring Plans (MMP), and Unanticipated Discovery Plans (UDP), as needed.
• Conducts and/or manages cultural resources monitoring and records resources in the appropriate Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) forms, conducts additional Phase II testing or Phase III excavation if needed.
• Educates clients about compliance with cultural resource regulations, advises clients on options to minimize impacts on known cultural resources, and recommends courses of action based on regulatory compliance and professional interpretations.
• Authors and/or reviews Phase IV monitoring close out reports, with all pertinent field data included and analyzed, to lead agency standards.
• Assists in marketing FCS cultural resources services as well as participates in marketing and business development activities.
• Assist in monitoring staff’s workload, schedules, project budgets, and participates in screening and interviewing prospective candidates for technical staff positions in the Cultural Resources Management Division

Skills

• Has highly efficient and productive working habits and can handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Demonstrates excellent analytical and verbal communication skills.
• Have superior skills in preparing written documents.
• Effectively negotiates sufficient fees and determines contract terms.
• Prepares clear and appropriate scopes of work.
• Supervises establishment of subcontracts and ensures timely and successful subcontractor performance.
• Effectively supervises, trains, and enhances the capabilities of peers and subordinates.
• Demonstrates leadership skills by taking initiative, motivating, and helping others, sharing pertinent knowledge, emphasizing teamwork, and providing feedback.
• Proactively and creatively adapts to new work-related challenges.
• Maintains a highly professional image in all work-related activities.
• Registration with the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) is a plus, as is involvement with professional organizations and institutions.
• Working familiarity with GIS/GPS programs such as Google Earth, ArcGIS, ArcMap, and use of .kml and .kmz files
• Expertise in MS Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat with familiarity in MS Access
• Reliable transportation to travel to project sites and meetings as needed.
• Familiarity with Deltek Vision is a plus.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science/Arts degree in Archaeology, or Architectural History. M.A. preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a professional Archaeologist (SOI Qualified)
• Experience supervising laboratory and/or field crews is a plus
• Expertise in California Archaeology and general knowledge of the other Cultural Resources disciplines
• Familiarity with information resources in the scientific community, including other archaeologists, college and university programs, research centers and libraries, and data repositories.
• Expertise with sections relating to cultural resources in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Public Resources Code (PRC), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA),
• Understands field work, consultation, and reporting requirements specifics for various lead agencies including, but not limited to: local city and county lead agencies under CEQA; state lead agencies such as California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); and federal lead agencies such as United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)

Work Environment

The position operates in a dynamic and highly collaborative working environment. FCS is dedicated to providing our staff the opportunity to elect remote, hybrid home/office as well as office location options. This role routinely uses standard office equipment and often requires field work in the form of records searches, pedestrian site surveys, archaeological testing, and data recovery.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; have hand/finger dexterity; and reach with hands and arms. The employee will spend extended periods of time in front of a computer/laptop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Compliance with all ADECi & FCS Travel and Workspace Policies that align with the CDC, local, state, and federal guidelines must be followed and upheld.

Salary Range: $ $80,000 – 119,000

We offer competitive salaries based on experience and education. Our great comprehensive benefits also include personal and professional development opportunities. If you want to work in a collaborative, creative work environment where you can provide meaningful contributions while being challenged to grow on the job, then you are encouraged to apply!

Competitive, progressive benefits, including

Example: Full-time, regular employee

• Up to 100% employer paid premiums employee medical (with buy-up options) and up to 55% coverage for eligible dependent(s)
• Up to 80% employer-paid dental and vision covered premiums for employees. Eligible dependent coverage also available.
• Employer sponsored Group Life and AD&D insurance with discounted voluntary coverage also available
• Employer covered Short- & Long-Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs (EAP)
• 401(k) & Roth retirement savings accounts (see HR department for details on contributions and exclusions)
• Pet insurance discounts
• Volunteer programs, committees, and opportunities
• Mentorship program and Work/Life Balance initiatives

*All benefits are subject to eligibility and may be changed at any time by the Company.

Information Security

Adhering to all policies, guidelines, and procedures pertaining to the protection of information of the organization, employees must maintain confidentiality of all sensitive information to which they are given access. They are also responsible for reporting actual or suspected events or incidents, including vulnerabilities or breaches, that may affect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information to members of the Management Team.

Mutual Respect is fundamental. Fundamental to our teams. Fundamental to our clients. Fundamental to the communities we serve and live in. Fundamental to the landscapes we work within. We need you and your unique talents, history, and background to become the Company we aspire to be. We insist upon a culture of common respect, expect transparency, and celebrate the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. Our mutual equality as humans is the path to diverse and innovative collaboration. We cultivate integrity, driving us to growth, and allowing us to achieve more together than we could ever hope to as individuals.