Field Technician II

Job Description

Job Description

Field Technician II provides skilled archaeological support to Crew Leaders, Field Directors, and Principal Investigators on Cultural Resource Management (CRM) projects. Unlike Field Technician I, this role requires prior field experience and the ability to complete surveys, testing, and data recovery with minimal supervision. Field Technicians II also contribute to stratigraphy documentation, cultural material identification, and mentoring of Field Technician I staff. Assignments are made on a rolling basis throughout the year, typically with two weeks’ notice, with the busiest season between May and October. Fieldwork occurs across the Pacific Northwest in varied and often extreme outdoor conditions.

Key Responsibilities

Fieldwork Operations

● Conduct pedestrian and subsurface surveys, excavation, monitoring, and data recovery.

● Maintain accurate and timely field notes as required by project parameters.

● Document site data (photos, descriptions, artifact counts, vegetation, etc.) to meet state and federal standards. Use GPS/GIS tools (Field Maps, Avanza, Garmin) for transects, site boundaries, features, and photo points.

● Excavate shovel test probes (STPs); document stratigraphy and cultural materials accurately.

● Navigate with compass and mapping tools.

● Recognize and document cultural resources (artifacts, features, sites, isolates).

● Complete assigned tasks with quality and timeliness under Crew Leaders, Field Directors, and PIs.

● Assist supervisors with data quality control and contribute to site forms or technical report writing. Perform fieldwork with minimal supervision. ● Train and mentor Field Technician I staff in field methods and documentation.

Training & Development

● Participate in in-service training sessions and all-staff meetings.

● Support ongoing professional development and seek opportunities for growth in archaeological field skills.

Education & Experience

Required:

● For Tribal Members: Completion of in-house CRM training and at least 1 year of experience as a Field Technician or similar role.

● For all other applicants: Field school certification/completion and/or field training, plus a minimum of 1 year or one full field season of experience as a Field Technician or similar role.

Preferred:

● Bachelor’s degree

● More than 1 year of archaeological field experience outside academia.

● Previous experience with field notes, site forms, and data collection.

● Working knowledge of archaeological survey and monitoring protocols.

● Completion of a field school.

Skills

● Ability to work collaboratively in teams.

● Strong communication skills with coworkers and supervisors.

● Comfort working outdoors and hiking long distances.

● Familiarity with Pacific Northwest archaeology and cultural resource documentation.

● Competency in GPS/GIS tools and accurate field data collection.

Physical Requirements

● Hike for 8–10 hours per day (with breaks for notes and recording), covering up to 10 miles in some instances.

● Work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, snow, and dust.

● Perform fieldwork in variable environments: ○ Dense vegetation

○ Rolling hills and changing elevations

○ Areas with wildlife or livestock present

● Lift and carry up to 50 lbs of equipment and personal gear for survey and site setup.

● Prepare for extended time in remote outdoor settings with limited shade, shelter, or climate control.

● Travel frequently and stay in temporary lodging (e.g., motels, remote field housing, Tribal facilities, or shared accommodations) depending on project location, environment, and duration.