Temporary Professional Archaeology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8am on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications.

Reporting to and working under the general supervision of the Anthropological Studies Center (ASC) Business Director, with additional direction from the ASC Faculty Director, the Archaeological Specialist performs technical archaeological research of average difficulty and assists in the supervision of technical and clerical assistants. The incumbent serves as an interdisciplinary team member conducting archaeological studies including, but not limited to, the development of archaeological site records, site inventories, formal National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources evaluations, and data recovery efforts for historic and precontact sites in  field, laboratory, and office settings.

This position requires an equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in the fields of Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Resource Management (CRM), or a closely related field and two years of progressively responsible professional archaeological research experience in California archaeology or historic archaeology of the western United States. Graduate study in Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Resource Management, or a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis and additional experience that has demonstrated that the incumbent has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities delineated above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. A Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, CRM, or related field; experience conducting archaeological investigations within a CRM environment; demonstrated GIS proficiency; experience preparing technical cultural resource reports and California DPR forms; and experience conducting construction monitoring and archaeological field supervision is preferred. A demonstrable expertise in precontact era material culture (such as lithic analysis), historic era material culture, ethnobotanical resources, or GIS analytical skills is highly preferred. Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office and Google Suite is required. Knowledge and experience with GIS, GPS, digital mapping platforms, related technologies for cultural resource documentation and analysis, CRM-related digital platforms and PeopleSoft preferred.

This is a full time, temporary, non-exempt position. The CSU Classification Step Range for this position is $5,044 - $7,348 per month (step 1 - step 20). Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 4 ($5,353 a month).  Reappointment to this position is dependent upon the individual's performance as well as administrative and budgetary considerations. The university reserves the right to terminate this appointment earlier than the scheduled expiration date.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.

For eligible employees, CSUEU collective bargaining agreement Article 17.10 will be honored.

About Sonoma State University: 

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community. 

Equal Opportunity & Mandated Reporting:

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Employment Eligibility & Conditions: 

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Education Code 89521 - Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

Application Process & Accommodations:

For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available (hraccommodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Annual Reports & Safety Information:

Sonoma State University's Annual Security Report (https://clery.sonoma.edu/annual-security-report) includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available for viewing at https://housing.sonoma.edu/compliance-data/2024-campus-housing-fire-safety-report. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Sonoma State University student housing facilities for three years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Residential Education and Campus Housing at housing@sonoma.edu.