NEW (11 March 2024) Survey Field Technician (Prescott)

Desert Archaeology is seeking archaeological survey technicians for work in rugged and brushy terrain near Prescott, Arizona. We expect to encounter a variety of cultural resources ranging from Archaic camps to Historic mines.  Archaeological technician wages are $22.40 per hour, and the work schedule will be 8 10-hour days on, 6 days off, with per diem and a hotel room provided.  Survey will begin March 26 and is expected to extend through the end of April.  Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to tucson@desert.com with “Prescott Survey” in the subject line.

 

(04 December 2023): Database Assistant (Tucson)

Desert Archaeology is seeking a person to assist the Database Manager with database administration and web application development, system administration, user training and support, and other technologies. We are looking for someone with experience or demonstrated familiarity with SQL databases and/or one or more of the programming languages listed below. We seek an individual who is motivated to solve problems and to learn new skills, and who is committed to working with a team and maintaining responsive communications as a Database Assistant in our Tucson office.

Desert Archaeology uses internally developed custom database software, built around Oracle and Mysql. These include MS Access/VBA, Oracle Forms, SQL and web applications using PHP, Nginx/Apache, vanilla Javascript, HTML, CSS and Jquery served from Ubuntu Linux on Digital Ocean cloud. Ongoing training will be provided in the specific technologies and the successful candidate will specialize in a subset of the tasks listed below.

This is a permanent position with flexible work hours (20-40 hours per week). For applicants available to work full time (30-40 hours per week), the position will include medical and PTO benefits. Part time applicants should plan for this to grow into a full-time job.

Responsibilities

In this assistant role we expect that some tasks will be conducted in a support role on larger efforts, and some will be done independently. It will include extensive on the job training. The position includes, but is not limited to:

A. Data entry of standard paper forms from field excavations into web apps, identifying problems, and working with project directors and the lab to resolve them in a timely and accurate manner.

B. Learn lab management and other web applications and work flows to train and support users across the company. Learn how to troubleshoot and solve common data issues that occur.

C. Assisting the Database Manager on tasks that may include:

1) Performing QA processes on large tables to identify duplicates and classify data prior to populating several new database tables for applications containing all company basic GIS and Image files.

2) Some of the DAI technologies supported by the Database Manager:

a. Managing and developing Zerion iFormbuilder apps.
b. Using MS Access or SQL to assist staff with custom database queries
c. Learn the Project Management web application to provide support to users
d. Basic database management of Oracle and Mysql
e. Coding/Updating web applications using Jquery Datatables, PHP, HTML and CSS
f. Creating documentation for applications
g. Digital Ocean cloud services (Ubuntu + Mysql)
h. System and network administration tasks
i. Windows 11 troubleshooting
j. JS based report templates

D. Work with other departments, such as the lab, administration, or potentially short-term local field work, and ad hoc additional data entry tasks as needed.
E. Organizing and documenting various software and hardware

Qualifications:

• 1 year of archaeological experience in educational or professional setting
• Archaeological coursework
• Excellent verbal, email, and interpersonal skills
• 1+ year programming and/or SQL database experience
• 1+ year experience with HTML and/or CSS
• Experience with git or similar or JS frameworks highly desirable, but not required
• Experience in the western US
• US resident/citizen
• Work site is in Tucson

Minimum wages $20/hour.

Desert Archaeology is a woman-owned small business providing full service cultural resource management services. Office headquarters are in Tucson with a branch office in Tempe. Desert Archaeology was founded in 1982 and has been at the forefront of Arizona cultural resource management. The company is distinguished by our investment in building knowledge and communities through research about the past.

Please learn more about us at www.desert.com.

Desert Archaeology is an Equal Opportunity Employment company.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and names of three references to:

Patricia Castalia, Operations Director
Desert Archaeology, Inc.
3975 N. Tucson Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
pcastalia@desert.com

 

Excavation Field Crew (Phoenix)

Desert Archaeology is seeking archaeological technicians for excavations at the site of La Ciudad, just east of downtown Phoenix. The excavations provide a unique opportunity to investigate the core of one of the largest Hohokam sites in the Phoenix Basin. Based on maps drafted by Frank Midvale in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the current project area is expected to contain numerous areas of extensive pre-Classic and Classic period habitation. The project will be focused on feature excavation in the site core. It is anticipated that by the end of the 6+ months of the project, each crew member will have excavated over two dozen structures, including both pithouses and surface rooms.

Applicants should enjoy working outdoors and performing physical labor including using shovels and picks, and moving and lifting buckets of dirt as required for feature excavation. Heat conditions are expected in the later months of the project. The field technician position pays $20 per hour and requires a BA and an archaeological field school or commensurate experience. Previous experience in the excavation of Hohokam sites is preferred. Excavations will begin in September 2023 and extend into February 2024.  Please express your interest by sending a cover letter and resume to tucson@desert.com.

 

Ongoing: Survey/Excavation Field Crew (Statewide)

To be considered for upcoming survey and excavation projects in Arizona, send your resume along with a cover letter indicating your experience and general geographic and schedule availability to tucson@desert.com.

Specific field crew openings are announced here and on our Twitter and Facebook platforms.