British Columbia Association of Professional Archaelogists - BCAPA
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Careers in Archaeology & Job Postings

 

Options
There are a number of career options for archaeologists in British Columbia. Archaeologists are employed by museums, government (including federal, provincial, and First Nation), as well as the private sector. Most archaeologists are employed by the private sector to evaluate developments to ensure compliance with the Heritage Conservation Act.
 

Nature of the Work

   Archaeological work includes fieldwork (both survey and excavation), artifact processing and analysis, and report preparation. The majority of entry-level jobs involve survey often in remote areas (primarily for forestry and oil/gas clients). Field conditions can be difficult and the work is often physically demanding. Pay scales vary widely from company to company.
 

Required Qualifications

   Qualifications vary from company to company and from job to job. Many companies require a bachelor's degree in archaeology or anthropology and previous fieldwork experience (such as a field school). Outdoor experience, survey/orienteering skills, computer skills (Microsoft Office, ArcView, AutoCAD), writing skills, and strong interpersonal skills are also important.
 

Employment Opportunities

   Current job postings are listed below. If you are looking for employment you could also contact BCAPA member companies. You may also want to check provincial and federal postings. Shovel-bums is a mailing list run by Yahoo Groups which is devoted to postings. Job ads are also occasionally distributed through the BC Archaeology discussion list (also run by Yahoo Groups).
 
More information about archaeology can be sourced via our links page. If you have questions about a career in archaeology you can contact the BCAPA through the webmaster.
 

Current Job Postings


BCAPA Members can submit postings to: admin@bcapca.bc.ca. Postings must be 200 words or less. Please indicate an expiry date for your posting (you can ask for extension if required), or indicate that you would prefer the advertisement to be a "Standing Posting" (maximum duration one year).
 

 

BC Hydro

is seeking an experienced archaeologist for the role of Senior Environmental Coordinator. This full time position will be based in Vancouver, BC. The successful candidate will be the heritage task manager for the Site C Clean Energy Project and therefore must bring a solid understanding of and experience with the relevant legislation, guidelines and current practices for historic, archaeological and paleontological resource management and impact assessment.

The successful candidate:
  • Develops project plans, scope, budget, schedule and project team responsibilities
  • Manages consultants contracted to complete the heritage impact assessment, and assess completed work for quality
  • Leads BC Hydro's consultation with regulators, interest groups, the public, unions and stakeholders on a variety of issues
  • Coordinates the heritage component of an environmental assessment application, mitigation and protection planning, and construction monitoring

The successful candidate will have:

  • A relevant university degree; 8-10 years experience; and understanding of archaeological, historic and paleontological issues and regulation in BC
  • Experience in: written and oral communication to a variety of audiences, building external relationships; heritage management; consultation

Interested candidates should submit their applications online by June 23, 2010. Download more details here. (Posted June 14, 2010).

Millennia Research Limited,

located in Victoria, is looking for an experienced archaeologist to fill a full time position as Senior Archaeologist/Project Director. The position is based in Victoria, but work will take place in all areas of BC, so candidates must be willing to travel and spend time away from home. The successful candidate will be responsible for various projects from start to finish, working within a flexible, supportive team structure. Duties will include proposal preparation, communication and planning with clients, First Nations and Government personnel, field work and crew supervision, analysis and report writing. Candidates must be able to work to deadlines with minimal supervision.

Applicants must have a Bachelors or graduate degree in archaeology or anthropology; knowledge of the BC Heritage Conservation Act; BC archaeological project management experience; and be eligible for field director status. Preference will be given to candidates that are able to hold permits for coastal BC and are members of the BCAPA. Other requirements of the job:
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated report writing skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • WCB OFA Level 1 and Transportation Endorsement certification
  • a high level of physical fitness
  • a valid BC driver's licence

Wage will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Millennia offers a benefit package with full-time employment and professional development support. Please submit CV with covering letter outlining experience, availability, references and salary expectations to donna@millennia-research.com. (Posted June 1, 2010).

 

AMEC Earth and Environmental

, an international engineering, project management, and consultancy firm, is looking for a full-time Senior Archaeologist & Project Manager for its Coquitlam office. The candidate will be responsible for the design, implementation, and management of cultural resource management projects thoughout the province.  Responsibilities include proposal preparation, field work, data analysis, report writing, interacting with clients and government personnel, supervising staff, and managing projects from start to finish. The candidate will work in a dynamic and supportive team environment with some of the most experienced consulting archaeologists in BC.

Applicants must have a Bachelors or graduate degree in archaeology or anthropology; archaeological consulting and/or research experience; archaeological project management experience; excellent written and verbal communication skills; be capable of quality deadline-driven work with minimal supervision. Familiarity with BC archaeology required; BC permit holding status preferred but not essential.

Applicants must be in excellent physical health and hold a valid Driver's License.

This is a career path position. AMEC offers an excellent remuneration package, conference support, health and safety training. Wages will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Please send résumé with covering letter stating salary expectations, availability and references by e-mail to arcas.employment@amec.com with copy to alannah.tylor@amec.com. (Posted April 9, 2010).

AMEC Earth and Environmental

, an international engineering, project management, and consultancy firm, is accepting résumés from highly motivated individuals for several full-time Archaeologist and Assistant Archaeologist positions in our Fort St. John office.  While the work will focus on oil & gas related archaeological impact assessments, work in other sectors can be expected. The job requires residence in Fort St. John, and travel throughout north eastern BC and the Yukon. Some archaeo­logical experience in north eastern BC, northern Alberta or northern Saskatchewan is required. Field Director status and experience with ATVs and snowmobiles an asset but not required.  Responsibilities will vary depending on experience but could include project design and management; preparation of proposals; conducting field surveys and excavations; supervision; office-based research; writing of interim and final reports.  These are career path positions. AMEC offers an excellent remuneration package, conference support, health and safety training.  Wage will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Minimum qualifications:
  • BA in Archaeology (or Anthropology with an Archaeology focus)
  • Commitment to working in northern BC and living in Fort St John
  • Valid Canadian driver's license (with a clean record)
  • Level 1 First Aid
  • Commitment to safety
  • ATV Ticket, Snowmobile Ticket, H2S Alive, Bear Aware, WHMIS (training provided where necessary)
  • Willingness to work at remote project sites, sometimes under challenging field conditions
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Good computer and writing skills
  • Physically fit

Positions are available immediately. Please submit résumé and brief cover letter with references to arcas.fsj@amec.com and alannah.tylor@amec.com. (Posted April 6, 2010).

Altamira Consulting Ltd

. is a registered BC archaeological consulting company working in BC, Yukon and Alberta. Altamira has offices in Edmonton and Victoria. We are currently seeking full time employees for full time, project manager (Permit Holder) positions for projects in British Columbia. These positions are currently based out of Victoria but could be modified for other locations. We offer a comprehensive, paid health and dental benefit program, research support, paid conferences and occupational health and safety training. Salary will be based on education and experience, with a guaranteed annual bonus. Depending on experience a hiring bonus may be offered to the successful candidate.

Responsibilities will include project research, design and management, the preparation of proposals, and employee training, mentoring and supervision. You will work with minimal supervision in a team environment, be expected to have research interests and will be compensated for additional responsibilities.

Applicants must be qualified, must have held HCA Permits and be in good standing with the Archaeology Branch.

Please provide a detailed CV with your name on it and a covering letter stating expectations, availablity and references to altamira@archaeology.ca (Posted March 16, 2010).

Northwind Archaeological Consulting Ltd

is immediately seeking full-time Archaeological Field Supervisors /Directors. Qualifications for Field Director include:
  • University degree in Archaeology/Anthropology
  • Qualified as a field director
  • Leadership skills along with organization and communication skills
  • Knowledge and experience working with Microsoft Word, Excel, and GIS mapping is an asset
  • Familiarity with report writing, Archaeological Impact Assessments and Excavations
  • Accustomed to working with 4x4 trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles
  • Experience working with First Nations
  • Valid B.C. drivers license
  • Physically fit
  • Experience with 4x4 trucks, ATVs and Snowmobiles is an asset.

Safety Tickets Would be an Asset:

  • Level 1 First Aid
  • Transportation Endorsement
  • H2S Alive
  • WHMIS
  • ATV Safety
  • Bear Aware
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Wages are based on experience. Please forward your resume to Ken@northwind-arch.com. No phone calls please. (Posted February 14, 2010).