Contract Archaeologist

Sea Beneath Marine & Heritage
Archaeologist (Contract Position)
Start Date 2022-01-01
Location Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, BC
Information

Who we are and what we do:

Sea Beneath Marine & Heritage is a newly formed small business, based in Bowser, BC. We provide commercial scuba diving, marine, and terrestrial archaeological services across the province. Our current HCA permitted projects are located on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. We have multiple terrestrial AIA and SAP projects in progress, with projects secured through to 2024 and beyond.

Principals and Archaeologists Rob Field and Kim Berg: As company owners, we are directly involved in every aspect of our marine and terrestrial archaeological projects from initial stakeholder liaison, through to permitting and fieldwork, analysis, final reporting, site registration, and project closure. We have over 40 years of combined archaeological project experience in all industry sectors and are eligible permit holders and field directors in all cultural areas of BC. Beyond 25 plus years in consulting archaeology, Rob’s experience as a commercial and advanced technical diver is also extensive, with more than 1200 career dives logged.

We are focused and engaged in our profession and strive to provide prompt, respectful, and quality service to the indigenous communities with whom we work, to our clients, and to the Archaeology Branch. We are both members in good standing with the BC Association of Professional Archaeologists (BCAPA), the Underwater Archaeology Society of BC (UASBC), and the Archaeological Society of British Columbia (ASBC).

Company Values:

Sea-Beneath is committed to working collaboratively to meet Project objectives and timelines and equally committed to the protection and conservation of First Nations’ cultural heritage. This balance allows a Project to proceed while minimizing impacts to heritage resources. Upholding these commitments requires integrity, respect, transparency, and careful consideration of stakeholder needs. We understand the big picture, strive for balanced solutions, and honor open, honest, and genuine relationships.

Who we are looking for:

An independent, field-experienced northwest coast archaeologist who is interested in contracting their services to Sea-Beneath on an as-and-when, basis.

Services to Sea-Beneath will include:

Preparation of HCA Section 12.2 and 12.4 permit applications
Preparation of First Nations cultural heritage (CHIP) permit applications
Fieldwork – as a field director or field supervisor on the northwest coast
Data Management
Artifact Analysis and/or cataloguing
Preparation of Reports (Interims and Finals)
Preparation of Site Forms (new and updates)
Must Haves:

Your Character

Integrity, Respect, Transparency, Open, Honest, and Genuine: these words form a part of our value statement and direct our behaviour as professional and ethical archaeologists. We are looking for a like-minded, experienced archaeological professional who is passionate, hard-working, and focused on their work, to fill this role. While the successful applicant will be an independent contractor to Sea-Beneath, they can expect to be supported by us and will work directly with us at every stage of a project.

Your Location

A resident of Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands. Applicants living on the south or east coast of Vancouver Island are ideally positioned for the role.

Education and Experience

A graduate degree in Archaeology or Anthropology or an undergraduate degree in Archaeology with a minimum of five (5) continuous years of recent, in-field experience in BC.
Applied knowledge and understanding of the Heritage Conservation Act and the Permitting and Assessment process in BC.
Experience working directly with Indigenous governments and community members regarding the management of heritage resources, including ancestral remains and associated belongings.
Demonstrated field experience working on the northwest coast for HCA permitted projects or those within other cultural areas in BC (please provide your Archaeology Branch experience table).
Demonstrated report writing experience for AIAs, AOAs, SAPs, and PFRs (please provide samples of written work for permitted projects).
Northwest Coast Culture Area field director status or nearing (per Bulletin 17) is required.

Required Tools and Equipment

A GPS, notebook, camera, laptop/tablet, personal protective equipment, field clothing and footwear are to be provided by the successful applicant. Sea-Beneath will provide equipment and sundry supplies such as screens, shovels, flagging, artifact bags, and field forms as required.
Your Business

You must be an independent contractor with your own company in place, and currently providing archaeological services, (which may include specialized services) to others.
Proof of WorkSafe BC coverage.
Proof of Errors & Omissions and Commercial General Liability Insurance.
A valid BC driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and appropriate insurance coverage.
Professional References

A minimum of three (3) professional references, of which one (1) must be a project officer, manager, or director with the BC Archaeology Branch; the second (2) from a member of an indigenous community with whom you have worked; and the third (3) from a colleague within the archaeological community.

Nice to haves:

Field Director status in the Interior Plateau and/or Sub-Arctic Boreal cultural areas.
RISC Instructor.
Permit holding status for the northwest coast.
Field experience in the respectful recovery and handling of ancestral remains.
ArcGIS/QGIS data management and mapping experience.
Other specialty (i.e., osteology, lithic analysis).
OFA Level 1 or higher.
Sport or commercial scuba diving certification(s), boat operating experience and certifications, or simply, a genuine interest for working on or under, the water.

Contractor Rates

We’ll talk

Reply in Strict Confidence to: Rob Field and Kim Berg, Principals and Senior Archaeologists at Sea Beneath Marine & Heritage

Rob: E: rob@sea-beneath.com P: 250.580.8882
Kim: E: kim@sea-beneath.com P: 250.514.4074