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Director Archaeology Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Directly support archaeological Field Directors and Project Managers by assisting with pre-field planning, cultural surveys, shovel test pits (STPs), test excavations, and monitoring of construction ...

Directly support archaeological Field Directors and Project Managers by assisting with pre-field planning, cultural surveys, shovel test pits (STPs), test excavations, and monitoring of construction ...

Directly support archaeological Field Directors and Project Managers by assisting with pre-field planning, cultural surveys, shovel test pits (STPs), test excavations, and monitoring of construction ...

Directly support archaeological Field Directors and Project Managers by assisting with pre-field planning, cultural surveys, shovel test pits (STPs), test excavations, and monitoring of construction ...

Staff Archaeologist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $119K/yr

This role reports to either an FCS Senior Archaeologist or the FCS Director of Cultural Resources. Compensation: $80,000 - 119,000 Duties and Responsibilities * Solicits and reviews Request for ...

Staff Archaeologist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $119K/yr

This role reports to either an FCS Senior Archaeologist or the FCS Director of Cultural Resources. Compensation: $ $80,000 - 119,000 Duties and Responsibilities * Solicits and reviews Request for ...

Staff Archaeologist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $119K/yr

This role reports to either an FCS Senior Archaeologist or the FCS Director of Cultural Resources. Compensation: $ $80,000 - 119,000 Duties and Responsibilities * Solicits and reviews Request for ...

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Director Archaeology information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$13.1K

$84.6K

$174.1K

How much do director archaeology jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director archaeology in Riverside, CA is $84,612.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,456.00 and $106,967.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of archaeology do?

A Director of Archaeology oversees archaeological projects, managing teams of archaeologists and ensuring that excavations and research comply with legal and ethical standards. They are responsible for securing funding, developing research strategies, and liaising with government agencies, academic institutions, and the public. Their role often includes supervising the documentation, preservation, and analysis of archaeological finds, as well as contributing to publications and educational outreach. This position requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and in-depth knowledge of archaeological methods and regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of archaeology?

To thrive as a Director of Archaeology, you need advanced knowledge in archaeological theory and methods, a relevant graduate degree (often a PhD), and extensive fieldwork experience. Familiarity with GIS software, heritage management systems, and relevant permits or certifications (such as Registered Professional Archaeologist) is common. Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills are vital for overseeing multidisciplinary teams and engaging stakeholders. These skills ensure effective research, compliance with regulations, and the successful preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage.

What are the main challenges a director of archaeology typically faces when managing multiple excavation projects?

A Director of Archaeology often encounters the challenge of balancing limited resources—such as budgets, staff, and equipment—across several concurrent projects. Coordinating with interdisciplinary teams, navigating regulatory requirements, and ensuring proper documentation and preservation of findings are also key aspects of the role. Effective communication with stakeholders, including local communities and governmental agencies, is essential to address logistical or cultural concerns that may arise. Successfully managing these complexities requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and adaptability.

What is the difference between Director Archaeology vs Archaeologist?

AspectDirector ArchaeologyArchaeologist
CredentialsBachelor's or master's degree; often requires experience in leadership rolesBachelor's or master's degree in archaeology or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership in research projects, managing teams, overseeing budgetsFieldwork, lab analysis, research, and excavation activities
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, cultural resource firmsResearch institutions, museums, government agencies, private firms

The main difference is that a Director Archaeology oversees projects and teams, focusing on management and strategy, while an Archaeologist conducts fieldwork and research. Both roles require relevant education, but the Director typically has more experience and leadership responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Archaeology jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Archaeology jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Director Archaeology jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Archaeology jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Director Archaeology jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Director Archaeology job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Archaeology job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,612 per year, or $40.7 per hour.

Archaeological Field Director | CA

Eocene Environmental Group

Wildomar, CA • On-site

$48/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

**Ideal candidates will be located in California or Oregon. Strong BLM experience preferred.**

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly

Reports To: Archaeologist Supervisor

Job Type: Full-Time, Regular

Compensation: $31 - $48 per hour, based on relevant experience

About Eocene Environmental Group:

Our team has spent the past two decades providing environmental, utility vegetation management (UVM), software and sustainability services. We are fortunate to be a part of the Wright Service Corp. family, which has helped us establish a strong foundation for continued growth and success.

Through a strategic alignment of values and goals, four Wright Service Corp. entities joined and integrated into one, operating as Eocene Environmental Group. These four entities are:

  • Forestry & Utility Division

  • Environmental Division

  • Technology & Innovation Division

  • Sustainability Division

JOB SUMMARY: The Archaeological Field Director must be permittable to oversee field work and capable of overseeing small field efforts all aspects of cultural resources investigations (survey, site recording, testing, excavation, monitoring, etc.) with no supervision to ensure deliverables meet client standards and that all field data necessary is completed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:

  • Writes a complex (more than a dozen locations) desktop sensitivity analysis with no errors consistently

  • Produces a clean and detailed DPR 523 form consistently

  • Capable of in-depth research and writing of specific report sections (mining, homesteading, settlement, ethnographic, etc.)

  • Completes clean, detailed, accurate, and consistent survey, monitoring, and DPR 523 forms

  • Oversees large and small crews of archaeologists in the field

  • Adept at working well with construction crews

  • Oversee and train field personnel, and provides QA/QC of field data

  • Has gained enough experience to excel in several aspects of fieldwork (lithic analysis, prehistoric artifact identification, historic artifact analysis, site recording, etc.)

  • Ability to work night shifts based on business needs

  • Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings

  • Support, actively participate, and act in accordance with Wright's and Eocene Environmental Group's culture of safety and employee ownership

  • Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintains knowledge of and follows all company policies and procedures

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

  • Position may require some outside travel

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

  • Completed coursework leading to a degree in archaeology, anthropology, or related field:

    • Crew Chief - bachelor's degree, completion of a field school, and 1 year of professional experience

    • Field Director - bachelor's degree, completion of a field school, 2 years of professional experience, and is permitted or qualified for agency permitting based on the SOI Professional Qualification Standards

  • Minimum of 2 years of field experience in California or Oregon conducting archaeology

  • Meets SOI PQS in archaeology (if MS or Ph.D.) or history (if BA/BS)

  • Ability to oversee large field efforts

  • Ability to read, write and speak English sufficient to perform job duties and to interact and communicate with employees and vendors

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Ability to work night shifts based on business needs

  • Proficiency using tablets (Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy) to document cultural resources

  • Proficiency with sub-meter GPS receiver

  • Proficiency with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 applications (for phone or tablet)

  • Permitted or permittable on BLM lands in California, Nevada, Oregon, and/or Washington (Field Director or Principal Investigator)

  • Previous NHPA, NEPA, FERC, and/or other cultural or environmental trainings

  • Strong writing and editing skills

  • Ability to evaluate resources for NRHP-eligibility

  • Authored multiple archaeological site forms and inventory reports

  • Authored a master's degree thesis

Eocene Environmental Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

https://wrightservicecorp.com/privacy-policy