Salary: from £26,000 to £27,306 (depending on experience and pending annual increase) + generous benefits package
Hours: Full time, 37.5h/week – we are open to discussion on flexible working including part-time hours
Locations: based at our Hereford office.
Contract Type: permanent, subject to six-month probation.
Closing Date: 22nd April 2024
Headland Archaeology is offering an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic person to join our Geoarchaeology team.
Why should you apply?
We are a privately owned archaeological business, part of the RSK Group, a leader in integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services. We provide heritage services to the development and construction sectors in UK and across the world. With four offices in England and one in Scotland, we offer our employees:
- Unique knowledge and expertise. For more than 20 years, Headland has provided not only business-focused archaeology but also people-focused business. We are highly respected within our industry for our achievements in innovation, tailor-made development coaching and training, and our expertise in commercial archaeology.
- Strong pioneering spirit. Our corporate culture is characterised by a healthy appetite for originality and development.
- Stable company with excellent growth. Over the years, we have demonstrated steady, positive economic development and formed successful partnerships.
- Good work environment. You will be surrounded by colleagues who are pleasant, professional, and enthusiastic about their work.
- Opportunity to influence. You get to work in an open climate, close to decision makers and with the possibility of making a difference.
- Part of RSK group. You will have further opportunities to become involved in nationally and internationally prominent projects with exciting prospects for career development. The group has c.12,000 employees and c.200 environmentally led companies.
In Headland we are proud of our people. We will support you to your meet your goals and train you in specific relevant skills to feel confident and succeed in your role.
The Role
We are looking for candidates who are self-motivated and enthusiastic with a passion for geoarchaeological studies. The role will focus on delivering geoarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental fieldwork and desk-based projects. The successful candidate will integrate within our wider team of in-house geoarchaeologists and work with freelance specialists. Core responsibilities will include assisting in providing an analytical and advisory on all aspects of geoarchaeological studies for internal projects and external clients and helping to develop fieldwork staff. The role will have a fieldwork component, and applicants should note that Headland Archaeology operates throughout the UK.
The successful candidate will be expected to undertake identification and sampling of deposits with geoarchaeological potential in the lab and in the field, with a level of support appropriate to their grade within the post. They will also write and contribute to geoarchaeological DBA’s, WSI’s and assessment reports under supervision and with further training. The applicant will be joining a tight-knit team of specialists working on a range of interesting projects, from small evaluations to large-scale infrastructure.
All applicants will need a basic knowledge of the Quaternary geology of the British Isles and current themes in geoarchaeological research. Applicants should have some experience of conducting archaeological, geoarchaeological or palaeoenvironmental fieldwork for Holocene deposits. Experience with Pleistocene deposits is also desirable.
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in archaeology or related discipline, and a masters degree in geoarchaeology or earth sciences is desirable. They should have demonstrable experience in the reporting of geoarchaeological data at assessment level. A keen interest in, and general knowledge of, geoarchaeological specialist techniques, including building deposit models, is vital.
A clean UK driving license and a willingness to drive company vehicles is essential.
Key responsibilities
- Delivery of geoarchaeological fieldwork, including the identification, interpretation and sampling of deposits with geoarchaeological potential on site and assessing their relevance to project objectives.
- Processing of geoarchaeological samples in the laboratory.
- Work with project teams to select suitable deposits for geoarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental investigation and sampling.
- Identify, record, assess, analyse, interpret and report on geoarchaeological samples within defined project objectives at assessment level.
- Work with geoarchaeological specialists and senior specialists to produce DBA’s, WSI’s and geoarchaeological deposit models.
- Play an active role within many of Headland’s innovation projects.
- Help with the training of fieldwork staff.
- Work to established standards, procedures and guidelines as set out by the Headland manuals, CIFA, HE, and other professional bodies.
- Be aware of regional, national and international research agendas in geoarchaeology.
- Undertake other tasks appropriate to your skills and knowledge. This may include fieldwork and associated report writing, as well geoarchaeological or environmental specialisms.
Essential skills:
- A degree in archaeology, geology or a related subject.
- At least three-months geoarchaeological or archaeological fieldwork experience.
- Demonstrable experience of identifying and describing Quaternary stratigraphy, and of interpreting site/deposit formation processes and reporting on the results.
- Good general working knowledge of the archaeology and geology of the British Isles.
- Ability to observe, measure and record accurately.
- Capacity to operate in the field for prolonged periods.
- Good organisational & communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and use your own initiative.
- Substantial knowledge of MS Office & English language.
Desired skills:
- A postgraduate qualification in archaeology, geoarchaeology or earth sciences
- Experience in producing predictive deposit models.
- Confidence in the use of Excel, databases, and an awareness of other appropriate software.
- Familiarity of current trends in UK geoarchaeological research, including the latest guidance issued by Historic England.
- SMSTS, SSSTS, banksman or cable avoidance testing qualifications, or willingness to obtain.
Benefits we offer you:
- Competitive paid subsistence when applicable
- Paid accommodation when applicable
- Use of cutting edge technology on site, e.g. paperless systems, iPads etc.
- Ongoing regular training in various areas e.g. Health & Safety, Technical areas and Transferable skills
- Time off in lieu for time worked above standard hours or overtime paid
- Annual profit discretionary bonus & performance-related bonus schemes
- Monthly clothing allowance
- 28 days annual leave, rising based on service length
- Extra annual leave purchase scheme
- 5%-6% employer contribution to pension scheme
- Income Protection Policy, after a year with Headland
- Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 4 times your annual salary, after a year with Headland
- Regular performance, wellbeing & professional development check-ins
- Referral scheme with generous fee
- A support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders
- Regular offers through RSK Group (e.g. Tastecard, Gym membership discount, Holidays and Entertainment)
- Health support scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (advice on finance, mental health etc)
- Paid CIfA membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Being part of RSK Group
Headland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
How to apply
You must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to your commencement.
Send covering letter and CV to Kathryn Turner at jobs@headlandarchaeology.com quoting reference GTECH24
Postal applications will not be accepted. Details of references should include their name, relationship to the applicant, postal address, email address and phone number.
Informal inquiries concerning the role can be made to Kathryn Turner, Environmental Manager – kathryn.turner@headlandarchaeology.com