Archaeologist job description.
An Archaeologist investigates and interprets past human activity through excavation, artifact analysis, and site surveys. They work for cultural resource management firms, government agencies, museums, or universities, often supporting construction and land-use compliance reviews.
The Archaeologist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Archaeologist Reports to: Principal Investigator or Cultural Resources Manager
An Archaeologist investigates and interprets past human activity through excavation, artifact analysis, and site surveys. They work for cultural resource management firms, government agencies, museums, or universities, often supporting construction and land-use compliance reviews.
- Conduct field surveys, excavations, and site assessments
- Document, catalog, and analyze artifacts and site data
- Prepare technical reports for regulatory and academic purposes
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Principal Investigator or Cultural Resources Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Conduct field surveys, excavations, and site assessments
- Document, catalog, and analyze artifacts and site data
- Prepare technical reports for regulatory and academic purposes
- Ensure compliance with cultural heritage laws and permitting requirements
- Supervise field technicians and manage excavation logistics
- Use GIS and mapping tools to record site locations and findings
- Consult with tribal, government, and community stakeholders
- Curate and preserve recovered materials per institutional standards
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, or related field
- Field school experience or equivalent excavation training
- Knowledge of relevant cultural resource management regulations
- Ability to perform physically demanding fieldwork outdoors
- Master's degree in archaeology or related discipline
- Experience with GIS software and artifact databases
- Regional specialization relevant to the employer's project area
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Archaeologist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Archaeologist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Principal Investigator or Cultural Resources Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is fieldwork travel typically required for this role?
- Yes, most archaeologist positions involve travel to project sites, which can range from local surveys to extended remote fieldwork assignments.
- What level of education is typically expected?
- A bachelor's degree is the minimum for most entry-level positions, while research and supervisory roles usually require a master's degree.
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This Archaeologist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.