Cultural Resources Intern

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking a Cultural Resources Intern (archaeological; architectural historian) for Summer 2024 to support both office and field natural resources projects for our Amherst, MA office. Cultural Resources Interns will support a diversity of field and office based-projects, working with talented, multi-disciplinary teams of cultural resource professionals. Established in 1981, SWCA has a long-standing presence in the United States and is known for sound science and creative solutions.

Your role as a cultural resources intern will be assisting with cultural resources/archaeology data entry, artifact analysis, reporting, and fieldwork during the summer field season. Architectural historian internship activities could focus on reconnaissance and intensive architectural resources surveys; historic research; learning to write architectural descriptions; helping to research and prepare historic context documents or other historical resources technical reports; and assisting with historic building condition assessments and/or preservation plans. You should be able to work outside during fieldwork sessions that generally last for a week or more.

This internship will occur during the summer 2024 (June 3rd to mid-August). Candidates who can start earlier than June 2024 will be considered and those who can remain past August may provide additional value. In addition to project work, the internship program includes regularly scheduled presentations by SWCA leaders.

This is a paid, full-time internship offering an hourly rate of $18.00/hour.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as is reasonable. We anticipate a large flow of qualified candidates, and we will close the posting as soon as the individual office positions are filled.

Please submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

Our Vision (the North Star): Help drive SWCA to be the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership.

Core Values: We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

What you will accomplish

Interns typically receive:

• Hands-on experience with surveying and site recording methods.
• Experience following local state Historic Preservation Office (SPHO) and federal agency guidelines for performing archaeological fieldwork.
• Introduction to prehistoric and historic artifact identification.
• Introduction to cartography and archaeological map analysis.
• Opportunities to participate in various types of Cultural Resources Management fieldwork
• Exposure to a nationally recognized cultural compliance consulting firm and lead professionals in the field
• Coordination with academic staff to meet course credit requirements.
• For architectural historian internships:
• Hands-on experience with a diversity of architectural historian reports and research activities.
• Understanding the significance criteria for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
• Introduction to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and related State legislation.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Major or minor in Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural Resource Management, architectural history, or related field.
• Completion of at least 3 credits of archaeology courses, architectural history courses, or the equivalent.
• Current enrollment in a community college, college, or university, pursuing a certificate of proficiency, associates degree, bachelors degree with a focus on Cultural Resource Management or Archaeology. Individuals who completed a bachelors degree within 12 months of May 1, 2024 will also be considered.
• Applicants that are pursuing a Master's degree will also be considered. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible through this program.
• Experience with cultural resources field work (e.g., archaeology, anthropology, architectural history, etc.) through classwork, honors thesis or Capstone projects, professional/intern experience, or volunteer work.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Must have good communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Must have ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.

Important for Field-Based roles:

• Travel to the field 50%-75% of the time, including spending up to a week or two at a time at a field location.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions, effectively execute tasks, and conform to shifting priorities and demands.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required.

Helpful Skills:

• Familiarity with GPS devices and digital data collection, and/or mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Technical writing experience.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

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