Job Description

SEARCH Job Announcement      

Title: Archaeologist, Osteologist              
Location: Remote/Field
Job Code: ArchOst-2025
Job Link: SEARCH Job Posting - Direct Application

Position Information

SEARCH has an immediate opening for a Full Time Archaeologist with osteology experience. This position can report out of any of the SEARCH offices or remote.

SEARCH provides a flexible work environment, a professional and collaborative atmosphere, and a wide range of projects and opportunities for our staff. SEARCH offers a competitive total compensation package with strong health and wellness and retirement plans. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, group term life insurance, 401(k) plan with match, 11 paid holidays per year, and unlimited paid time off (PTO). Pay is commensurate with education and experience.        

Key Responsibilities:

• Use experience, education from a degreed program, and professional judgment to identify and target locations of enhanced site probability based on cultural, geological, and other environmental features. 

• Administer the project health and safety plan and participate in office and field training. Offer recommendations for improvement to Health & Safety Manager. 

• Have a thorough understanding of the research design and ensure its implementation. 

• Based upon education, field observations, and scientific judgement, revise field methodology to meet goals of the overall project, in consultation with project leadership. 

• Perform pre-field background research, prepare maps, input data into electronic devices, and prepare project summary for field staff. 

• Perform and lead archaeological surveys using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), magnetometers, metal detectors, and other remote-sensing instruments.

• Provide leadership to field teams conducting archaeological monitoring, survey, testing, and excavation in support of Phase I, II, and III studies in accordance with the research design to identify, record, and evaluate archaeological resources. 

• Recognize archaeological signatures and apply reasoning to evaluate the extent and integrity of resources. 

• Record accurate, organized, and clear field notes, maps, drawings, logs, forms, tables, databases, artifact bags, box labels, and other project documentation. 

• Collect and inventory artifacts, ecofacts, and samples in accordance with the research design, and keep an accurate field specimen log. 

• Identify potential human and faunal remains and treat any suspected human remains respectfully and in a manner consistent with the research design and applicable State and Federal guidelines and laws. 

• Perform quality control of field data (hand-written and electronic) daily to ensure information is accurate and complete. 

• Use electronic and traditional navigational equipment (GPS, mobile device equipped with FieldMaps, and compass) to determine project limits, record fieldwork, document findings, and communicate progress. 

• Photo-document artifacts, features, excavation units, land use, landscapes, unique environmental features, historic structures, archaeology sites, unique environmental features, specialized equipment or technique usage, and work-in-progress. Keep an accurate photo log. 

• Use or review GIS data to organize, interpret, and document field research. 

• Under supervision of the Principal Investigator, identify, record, and prepare preliminary evaluations of archaeological resources in accordance with State and Federal laws, particularly the National Register of Historical Places (NRHP). 

• Provide daily updates on project progress to the Principal Investigator/Project Manager. 

• Meet with, coordinate, and collaborate with landowners, land agents, clients, other field research teams, and visiting regulatory agency staff. 

• Interview informants to gather information on history and use of property. 

• Prepare and/or contribute to thorough, accurate, professional, high-quality technical reports, including writing tasks, graphics, report production, and quality control. 

• Assist the Principal Investigator and/or Project Manager with other research, project management, and administrative tasks. 

• Prepare research permit applications for review and submittal by the Principal Investigator.  

• Under the supervision of a Principal Investigator/Project Manager draft proposals and cost estimates. 

• Procure and maintain field equipment, technology, vehicles, and supplies in a clean, working, and safe manner and report any malfunctions, shortages, and risks to Principal Investigator and/or Project Manager. 

• Perform osteological analysis of human skeletal remains, including age estimation, sex assessment, and documentation of trauma, pathology, and anomalies.

• Photograph human remains in a laboratory setting and prepare photographs for inclusion in reports following Tribal stipulations, when applicable.

• Summarize results of osteological analysis in archaeological reports and synthesize with background research relevant to the project.

• Other duties, as assigned.

Other Important Need-to-Know Information

• This position will require flexible availability outside of standard working hours.
• Applicants must be eligible to be employed in the United States.
• Applicants must have reliable transportation.
• SEARCH is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where a variety of backgrounds, cultures, orientations, ideas, and talents can flourish.
• SEARCH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• SEARCH is an Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.
• Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory verification of criminal, education, driving, and/or employment background checks as well as passing results from a pre-employment drug screen.
• We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or, if requested, to participate in an interview, please let us know.

SEARCH Compensation and Benefits include:

• Competitive Salary
• Per Diem (for overnight travel)
• SEARCH-subsidized Group Health Insurance (including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage)
• SEARCH-provided Short-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Long-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Group Term Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Generous 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays (10)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Merit-Based Raises, Bonuses, and Promotions

Application Requirements

• Cover letter
• Resume
• References
• Work Samples (a demonstration of experience with Key Requirements)

About SEARCH:

Overland and underwater, SEARCH is an archaeology firm that deploys the full spectrum of cultural heritage services worldwide. SEARCH2O, its maritime program, is at the forefront of historic shipwreck and submerged pre-contact archaeology, paleolandscape reconstruction, and deep-water archaeology. SEARCH’s staff are cultural resources industry leaders, pioneers, and subject matter experts across 45 Market, Regional, and Research Sectors. Since 1993, SEARCH has completed more than 5,000 commercial and government projects in 48 US states, 6 US territories, and 39 countries spanning 7 continents and 4 oceans. By integrating science, technology, and creativity, SEARCH harnesses the power of the past to advance the projects, places, and people it serves.  
_ For more information about SEARCH, please visit and follow us on  ,  , _ _ LinkedIn __ , and _ _ Twitter __ . _
Please send inquiries about the position to HR@searchinc.com . Include the Job Posting code ( ArchOst-2025 ) in the subject line of your email.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field.

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field preferred.

• Completion of an accredited archaeological field school and/or six months of field experience.

• Minimum three years of professional archaeological field experience encompassing some supervisory experience. 

• Experience identifying and analyzing human remains, including fragmentary remains.

• Ability to travel for extended periods of time and maintain a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and access to reliable transportation.

• Ability to obtain government security clearance.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Per Diem (for overnight travel)
• SEARCH-subsidized Group Health Insurance (including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage)
• SEARCH-provided Short-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Long-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Group Term Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Generous 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays (10)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Merit-Based Raises, Bonuses, and Promotions

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