BASELINE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES

Senior Archaeologist

Comox Valley, BC | Full-time, Permanent | $35-$45 per hour

The Opportunity

Baseline Archaeological Services is looking for a Senior Archaeologist to join our growing team in the Comox Valley. This is a full-time, permanent position with a combination of field and office responsibilities and the opportunity to take a lead role in a wide range of archaeological consulting projects across Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia.

Candidates must be based in the Comox Valley or willing to relocate to the area at their own expense.

Our projects span a variety of clients, communities, site types, environments, and project scopes. As a Senior Archaeologist, you’ll have the opportunity to lead projects from planning and fieldwork through to reporting and closeout, while working closely with clients, First Nations, regulatory personnel, and our field and office teams.

We work as a team, and everyone pitches in.

At Baseline, senior staff are involved in more than just the technical side of archaeology. We believe in understanding the full project lifecycle and sharing knowledge across the team. You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of projects while working alongside experienced archaeologists, junior staff, field crews, and project managers.

Our projects vary considerably, so you’ll work with different clients, communities, project types, and environments. You’ll be involved in everything from field planning and crew leadership to client communication, data management, analysis, reporting, and project delivery.

We’re a fun, down to earth team with a strong focus on safety. We work hard, look out for each other, and believe that work should fit into your life, not the other way around. Most of our work is local to Vancouver Island, so you’ll usually be home at the end of the day.

There is occasional overnight and camp-based work. It is not a large part of our workload, but it is part of archaeological consulting and is shared across the team. We expect everyone to participate when required rather than having away work consistently fall to the same people.

Your Role

Reporting to the General Managers and working closely with Project Coordinators, Field Directors, and office and field teams, you’ll be responsible for leading and supporting archaeological projects from planning through completion. Responsibilities will include:

  • Managing archaeological projects and meeting project schedules, budgets, and deliverables
  • Leading field crews in archaeological assessments, including excavation, forest surveys, shovel testing, and machine monitoring
  • Preparing pre-work packages, including client cost estimates, First Nations referrals, field plans, and safety documentation
  • Planning and coordinating fieldwork logistics, including crew scheduling, equipment, travel, and accommodations
  • Coordinating post-fieldwork data management, materials processing, and analysis
  • Preparing technical reports and completing and submitting site forms in accordance with applicable requirements
  • Maintaining regular communication with clients, First Nations, regulatory personnel, and project stakeholders
  • Providing project updates and identifying potential issues before they become problems
  • Working respectfully with local First Nations, community members, contractors, and other project personnel
  • Providing guidance, training, and mentorship to junior archaeologists and field staff
  • Supporting the development of field and office processes and contributing to continuous improvement
  • Maintaining a strong focus on health and safety throughout project activities
  • Following the requirements and standards of local First Nations, the BC Archaeology Branch, the BCER, and other regulators

What You Bring

  • A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Archaeology or Anthropology
  • Completion of an archaeological field school
  • Minimum 3 years of archaeological consulting experience in British Columbia
  • Field Director status with the BC Archaeology Branch, or eligibility to apply
  • Permit Holder status with the BC Archaeology Branch is an asset
  • Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence
  • Demonstrated experience leading archaeological field programs and crews
  • Strong technical writing, organizational, and project management skills
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with clients, First Nations, regulators, and project teams
  • The ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and changing project requirements
  • A willingness to pitch in and support the team wherever needed
  • A strong commitment to health and safety and the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t look right
  • Willingness to participate in occasional overnight and camp-based assignments

You’ll Be a Good Fit If You

  • Enjoy taking ownership of projects and seeing them through from start to finish
  • Are comfortable leading a crew while remaining approachable and willing to get involved in the work
  • Can balance technical archaeological requirements with client, project, and scheduling needs
  • Enjoy mentoring and helping less experienced staff develop their skills
  • Are organized, practical, and able to keep projects moving when priorities change
  • Value teamwork and are willing to step in when another member of the team needs support
  • Take pride in producing quality work and meeting commitments
  • Want to be part of a growing company where your experience and ideas can have a real impact

What We Offer

$35–$45 per hour ($72,800-$93,600 annual equivalent), depending on experience, plus:

  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Annual field gear allowance
  • Professional development and advancement opportunities
  • Primarily local work on Vancouver Island
  • Limited overnight and camp-based assignments
  • A workplace that values teamwork, safety, and work/life balance
  • The opportunity to take ownership of projects and contribute to the continued growth of Baseline

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re looking for a role where you can lead archaeological projects, work across the full consulting process, mentor developing archaeologists, and be part of a team that shares the workload and backs each other up, we’d like to hear from you.

APPLY NOW