Salary: from £27,430.00 to £28,808.47 (depending on experience) + generous benefits package
Hours: Full time, 37.5h/week – we are open to discussion on flexible working
Locations: based at our Silsoe office.
Contract Type: permanent, subject to six-month probation.
Closing Date: 6th May 2024
Headland Archaeology is offering an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic person to join our Post-Excavation 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.12000 employees and c.200 environmentally lead 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 environmental archaeology. The role will focus on assisting the post-excavation specialist teams in providing an analytical and advisory service on all aspects of archaeological ecofacts and samples for internal projects and external clients. The successful candidate will integrate within our wider team of post excavation technicians and specialists and work with freelance contractors. A key aspect of the role will be carrying out finds and environmental processing and providing training and supervision for junior staff in these areas. Post-excavation supervisors will also help to coordinate and facilitate finds and environmental logistics and storage. The role will involve site visits to deliver toolbox talks and assist with environmental sampling, and applicants should note that Headland Archaeology operates throughout the UK.
The successful candidate will receive training in the identification of archaeobotanical and/or archaeozoological remains at assessment level, with a level of support appropriate to their grade within the post. They will also write and contribute to specialist environmental 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.
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in archaeology or a related discipline, and a masters degree in environmental archaeology is desirable. All applicants will need to have substantial experience in the processing of bulk environmental samples using SIRAF-type tank floatation and wet-sieving methods. A keen interest in, and general knowledge of, environmental studies is essential.
A clean UK driving license and a willingness to drive company vehicles is highly desirable.
Key responsibilities
- Processing of bulk and specialist environmental samples, ecofacts and finds.
- Supervise and provide advice on the storage and transportation of artefacts, ecofacts and environmental samples.
- Assist the environmental management team in coordinating environmental processing.
- Delivery of environmental toolbox talks in the field, including providing assistance with taking specialist samples on site.
- Work with project teams to select suitable deposits for specialist investigation and sampling.
- Identify, record, assess, interpret and report on environmental remains within defined project objectives at assessment level under supervision and using appropriate typologies/reference material.
- Provide training and supervision for junior post-excavation staff and members of the fieldwork team.
- 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 environmental archaeology.
- Undertake other tasks appropriate to your skills and knowledge. This may include archiving, fieldwork and associated report writing, as well palaeoenvironmental or geoarchaeological specialisms.
Essential skills:
- A degree in archaeology or a related subject.
- At least three-months experience of environmental sample processing.
- Demonstrable experience of environmental studies (e.g. archaeobotany, archaeozoology) and environmental sampling techniques.
- Good general working knowledge of the archaeology of the British Isles.
- Ability to observe and record accurately.
- Capacity to operate in the field.
- Good organisational & communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and use your own initiative.
- Ability to communicate and present results effectively and appropriately with a clear concise writing style.
- Adherence to safe working practices and knowledge of the Health and Safety requirements involved in handling and processing of artefacts and ecofacts.
- Substantial knowledge of MS Office & English language.
Desired skills:
- A postgraduate qualification in archaeology, environmental archaeology or a related discipline
- Experience collating and working with archaeological project data (such as contextual information and registers).
- Confidence in the use of Excel, databases, and an awareness of other appropriate software.
- Familiarity of current trends in environmental archaeology, including the latest guidance issued by Historic England.
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 PXENV24
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