SENIOR GEOARCHAEOLOGIST AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER

Archaeological Research Services Ltd are recruiting for a Senior Geoarchaeological and/or Paleoenvironmental Officer for a rare opportunity to work in a leading archaeological company with varied and innovative projects around the UK and potentially beyond. Our ‘Specialist Services’ division within the Company where we have brought truly cutting-edge techniques together to lead the way with our ‘Landscape Prospection Service’ amongst other specialisms is recruiting for a Senior Geoarchaeologist and / or Paleoenvironmental Officer. We’re looking to attract a highly capable person to lead our small team. They will need longstanding experience of commercial geoarchaeological/palaeoenvironmental work with many reports to their name. The role will include managing projects and the small team, undertaking some geoarc fieldwork/sampling, some analysis, reporting and quality assurance of others’ work and reports.

The applicant is expected to have a passion for geoarchaeology and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and delivering benefit through archaeology. The post requires an established professional who is highly organised, efficient and good at working to deadlines. Attention to detail, and being an effective manager and motivator are important. The post is nominally based out of our offices in Bakewell, with some site-based fieldwork and office work. There is potentially some home-working flexibility. You will need excellent written English skills and will be responsible for completing work on commercial and research-based archaeological projects. The role requires strong IT skills and ideally competency in the use of GIS and perhaps Rockworks. A good overall knowledge of British archaeology is essential as well as a track record in reports, and ideally publication. You must be able to work as an effective team member. We are a high performing company with a professional and friendly culture with many outstanding performers. We maintain a high commitment to staff development and training and look forward to supporting career development and developing people to be the best they can be.

Job description

A senior position within our Specialist Services Division leading and managing our Geoarchaeological/Palaeoenvironmental team. Working closely with other talented individuals including sharing and integrating data as part of our Landscape Prospection Service where geoarchaeological, geophysical, geochemical, remote sensing and other data is integrated to examine and understand landscapes, their taphonomy and to drive targeted archaeological and palaeoenvironmental investigations. Produce high quality reports for commercial and commissioned projects and contribute to publications where appropriate. Assist with general archaeological work including fieldwork, reports, archives etc and to undertake other duties that may arise as required.

Responsibilities / duties

• Help grow and prosper the Specialist Services division of the Company and contribute to data sharing and integration, innovation.
• Undertake geoarchaeological mapping, sediment coring, characterisation and analysis, and ideally one or more of pollen analysis, botanical macrofossil analysis, wood and charcoal analysis, soil micromorphology or other paleoenvironmental proxies.
• Sample for and send off samples for C14 dating. Ability to produce age-depth models and/or undertake Bayesian modelling of C14 dates will be an advantage.
• Liaise with clients and planning archaeologists as well as internal team members as required.
• Undertake fieldwork and survey and complete associated post-excavation work, archiving, writing up, producing reports and publications.
• Attend meetings as required in role as Senior Geoarchaeologist.
• Ensure lab equipment is maintained and serviced; order new supplies as required.
• Participate in team engagement initiatives
• Assist and take part in staff training and development, ensuring continuous improvement in your own and your teams’ performance through initiating training, mentoring and improved practices
• Communicate up and down the management tree.
• Process data, analyse and map it and produce well written and high-quality reports.
• Quality Assurance of teams’ output.
• Inculcating, promoting and delivering Vison, Mission and Culture of the Company
• Actively follow and promote Company policies and procedures for yourself as well as other members of staff.
• Input to new project initiatives (e.g. commercial, community, commissioned, research and development).
• Make decisions as appropriate, ensure tasks are completed and alert relevant person of the Management Team to any matters arising as appropriate.
• Take an active role in networking on behalf of the company.
• Any other duties that may be reasonably allocated from time to time.
• Undertake occasional out-of-hours work on behalf of the company such as attending meetings, conferences, giving talks or making essential phone calls or communicating important information to other ARS Ltd staff.
• Produce environmental assessments and analyses, supported by other members of the Geoarchaeological/Paleoenvironmental team on commercial and research-based archaeological projects and publications.
• Collating (and signing in/out) all necessary equipment to deliver a project
• Report to the Head of Specialist Services, on a daily basis with the progress of projects and productivity against project goals and agreed timetables. Ensure all environmental work and reporting is undertaken to agreed time and budgets
• Responsible for ensuring work is undertaken according to ARS Health and Safety policy. Contribute to risk assessments and other relevant documentation in co-ordination with the Health and Safety officer
• Drive company vehicles when required. Keep company vehicles tidy and roadworthy at all times. Notify the Business Administrator of any faults etc so that they can be rectified.
• Any other duties that may be reasonably allocated from time to time.

 In return, we offer an exciting range of employee benefits: 

• Strong, positive corporate culture
• Competitive salary
• Commitment to training and career progression
• Membership of the Company’s health cash plan which includes a range of health services
• Discounts and rewards on health, fitness and entertainment
• Attractive pension contribution
• Life assurance cover
• 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays)
• Additional annual leave accrued linked to length of service
• Accommodation provided for away work with subsistence
• Full personal protective equipment and Company branded attire
• 100% of CIfA subscription fees

Experience

• Experience of working in an office environment and conducting oneself in a professional manner.
• Professional, highly motivated and capable geoarchaeological specialist with an excellent track record in undertaking geoarchaeological mapping and sediment coring.
• Data processing, analysis and commercial reporting.
• Producing high quality written work and reports.
• Experience of health and safety responsibilities and ability to ensure all staff conform to requirements and adopt organisation’s health and safety culture.
• Experienced in exercising sound judgement and delivering successful outcomes that take account of the subtleties and complexities of archaeological data.
• Experience of successfully working to deadlines, working under own initiative as well as in part of a team.
• Experience of running geoarchaeological projects, managing people and   projects and their delivery, supervising and motivating staff and dealing with clients, curators and the public.
• High level understanding of geoarchaeological fieldwork, including ability to judge most appropriate methods, quantum’s of work required, ability to cost jobs and to persuade and negotiate with local authority archaeologists.
• Skilled in identifying, analysing and reporting on sediments.
• Producing geoarchaeological maps and documenting the varying archaeological potential across the different geomorphic units.
• Authentic high quality communication skills (listening, oral and written) and ability to quickly build rapport with teams and line manager.
• Ability to organise staff and allocate jobs, hold staff to account and ensure tasks get completed.
• Ability and interest in staff development – bringing on junior staff and helping to grow people as well as develop their skill sets.
• Excellent written English and ability to express oneself accurately and take account of the nuances required in the production of first-rate reports and formal publications.
• Self-discipline, attention to detail, excellent numeracy, forensic accuracy.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent team management and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritise many concurrent tasks based on daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals.
• Computer literate including use of Office and other programmes including ideally Microsoft ‘Project’, CAD and GIS.
• Full driving license.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work individually and as part of a team

Closing Date: 12 Janaury 2025