Fieldwork Technicians, Assistant Supervisor & Supervisor
Salary Range: Technicians - £24,886 - £26,405 / Assistant Supervisor - £26,354 - £28,327 / Supervisor - £28,066 - £31,453
(Pay awards pending)
Location: ALL REGIONS (Salisbury, Bristol, Meopham, Sheffield)
Full-time 12-month Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension
Reference: UKFWK.04.25
Closing date: 2nd May 2025
Why join us?
Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.
Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff and the sector. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you’ll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects and develop your skills and knowledge along the way.
The ability to work away from home for four nights per week for long periods of the contract is essential.
The role - what’s involved?
Technician
With a degree or other qualification (such as Apprenticeship, NVQ or CIfA recognised training scheme completion) in archaeology or a related subject, you’ll have a keen interest in British Archaeology. You’ll be responsible for excavating and recording archaeological features and deposits to the highest standard. Comfortable taking direction from a supervising archaeologist, you’ll have excellent communication skills and be able to manage your time so you can meet deadlines.
Willing to work outdoors for prolonged periods in all kinds of weather conditions, you’ll enjoy working as part of a team as well as being self-motivated. For those new to archaeology, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your career in fieldwork archaeology. If you have more experience this is an opportunity to develop your expertise working as part of an organisation that can provide access to some of the most interesting sites in the UK.
Main responsibilities:
- Developing skills in identifying, investigating, excavating, recording and interpreting archaeological features and deposits
- Being committed to and following health, safety and wellbeing methodologies and policies on site
- Working collaboratively with the archaeological team
- Self-checking of initial site data
- Ensuring work is completed to deadline and a high standard
Assistant Supervisor
This grade is suited to individuals with more fieldwork experience who are wishing to step up to supervising and gain experience in supporting site directors on large sites or undertaking smaller projects such as watching briefs. You will need to be good at communicating, prioritising, anticipating and identifying risks and as with all team members, be happy to collaborate with and support others as they develop.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Excavating and recording archaeological features with minimal supervision
- Developing supervisory experience, working with teams to deliver tasks and projects on a variety of archaeological sites.
- Making sure that health, safety and wellbeing methodologies and policies are followed on site
- Motivating and leading others and developing skills and experience
- Supervising plant
- Ensuring work is completed to deadline and to a high standard
Supervisor
You will supervise teams excavating and recording archaeological features and deposits and take an active role in excavation and recording. You’ll apply your archaeological knowledge and experience gained supervising evaluations and excavations to make sure that your work and the work of others is of high quality. Enthusiastic and with a keen interest in British archaeology, you’ll have excellent excavation skills and be confident machine watching and undertaking site GPS surveys. A key part of the role will be motivating others and you’ll be confident creating positive collaborative working relationships with colleagues across the programme team.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Supervising teams to deliver projects on a variety of archaeological sites.
- Excavation and recording of features and deposits
- Working closely with Sub-contractors and Principal Contractors.
- Making sure that health, safety and wellbeing methodologies and policies are followed on site.
- Supervising plant
- Motivating and leading site teams to develop skills
- Help deliver site strategies.
- Monitor initial site data.
- Ensuring work is completed to deadline and of a high standard.
What can you look forward to?
Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to continuous improvements in our benefits, we’re committed to creating a safe, fair and inclusive working environment.
We offer:
- 22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years of continuous service.
- Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 6.5%.
- Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.
Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits
- Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
- Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1
- 5 days of carers leave.
- Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
- Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
- AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.
Sustainability and other benefits
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Bike2Work scheme.
- 100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.
- High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
- Free transport from regional offices to sites.
- Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
- Subsistence allowance.
How to apply
Interested in working with us?
Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by 2nd May 2025 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you have questions about the role, then please contact wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk
We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process.
Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.