archaeological field technician

archaeologist

senior archaeologist

field technician

senior project manager

Chronicle-Heritage

The individual office and local staff were great, it’s on the corporate level that things are a nightmare. Wages are nightmarishly low, for both incoming employees and long term employees. We were denied raises that upper level admin had verbally acknowledged were needed. Benefits for full time employees were not great and did not make up for the lack of compensation. Corporate started implementing a large volume of unnecessary procedures that took up senior archaeologists’ valuable time when they could be doing real archaeology and mentoring employees, instead they were bogged down by excessive paperwork and meetings. And for field technicians the wages are simply not high enough to be worth the lifestyle and labor. These days you can make the same or more at the grocery store without a degree. The company clearly only cares about money and paying their corporate executives ridiculous salaries while the people on the ground are doing the work to bring in the profits they’ll never see a part of.

A lot of cultural resources firms share similarities in how they manage projects and business development, and field methods are fairly similar due to agency guidelines. However, what sets PaleoWest apart in that regard is how collaborative teams are across the company. It makes a huge difference to have everyone pulling together in the same direction, adding both flexibility and stability in an industry that's at times challenging and unstable. The company has a wealth of training and professional development resources that are invested in building the best technical teams in the industry. As the company continues to grow, so do the opportunities for professional development and team growth.

The company pushes employees to get projects done under budget but with low pay and little benefit to the employees. Employees are required to do some of their own administrative work and are not paid for this time. Pay checks frequently do not come through so keep a close eye on your bank. Project hours for technicians are hit-or-miss and highly dynamic. You may be placed on hold or asked to suddenly go out for a week+ project. You can also be "released" without notification. The result is an unpredictable but fairly fast-paced, high-stress work environment and employees that are left feeling disrespected. People are friendly for the most part, but management could certainly improve. Employees should be better compensated for their expertise and hard work.

I have worked with PaleoWest for a while now and I have always felt appreciated and supported in the roles I have filled. I worked up from an on-call tech to a salaried employee over the course of a few years and have seen all sides of the company. I am constantly impressed with the PaleoWest family and how cohesive it is across the nation. The working environment has always felt welcoming. While on the job training wasn't promoted at first, a new online training system has been put in place for all employees to learn what they need to about field methods and company policies. PaleoWest has an awesome support system for staff from instant messaging with tech support and supervisors to interoffice cooperation on projects. 

Field staff had high turnover rate. Every 3-4 months it's a entirely new crew which is great if you want to meet new people. Their hiring demographic were fresh college graduates with no experience in this industry. During a inhumation excavation, I witness one of their staff sit on the chest of the individual in order to clear the area surrounding the skull. No one seemed to care about this lack of respect to the individual which was shocking. Not sure if it's a lack of empathy or they weren't aware but the fact that it never came up bothered me.

They have plenty of work and seem to be growing but management doesn't care about its workforce.

I worked with Paleowest for over 3 years, they kept me on-call for over a year and a half and they only ever hired me full-time because 4 people left the office on the same day due to weird culture, poor pay, little chance of advancement. When you're on-call projects get canceled and the work is spotty, making it very difficult to make a living. I only ever got a raise because I asked for one after they hired new people with less experience at a higher rate. Then I found out that after working there for 3 years with a BA, I was making more money than somebody there for 9 years with a Masters, very inconsistent pay rates. 

The typical work day and demands were ordinary and were generally in line with industry standards and expectations. Interactions with upper management became dreadful in my last year there. Poor communicators, self congratulatory and failed to recognize contributions by others. Poor management and interpersonal skills by supervisory staff. I experiences ethical conflicts and left the company to work elsewhere because of it. 

Did few work in various states for Paleowest as field archeaologist. This is work. You'll be slaving through the day digging test pits in all sorts of weather and rugged conditions. They paid about $20 an hour, no benefits, $55 per diem for all your foods, mileage to and from project area, lodging, and gas (save receipts for everything). Projects can be 1 week, 3 weeks, 1 month, 5 days or 2days. It's all dynamic. 10 hour days, 2 breaks, lunch. No immediate room for growth. Perhaps ok job to get CV experience. Manager, field supervisors, workers all are great people. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
You can meet fellow minded individuals and make some great work connections

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The lack of communication from leadership.
Never steady work. 


What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It has its moments. Hit and miss. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
You usually have to figure this depending on the project assigned. Just think early mornings.

Every crew chief, and project manager I met in the southeast offices from Florida, Virginia, and Georgia are all incredible people to work with and under. They all cared about us and do not make you do anything they wouldn't do. They keep things as safe as you can in the woods. I appreciate working for them and enjoy the work. I am also on call and have a good control on what projects I take or don't and have not received any problems for that. I would recommend for new people as well. This company has not put me in harms way and has taken good care of me while I work for them.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Archaeological field technician 4 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour
Archaeologist 21 salaries reported	$30.83 per hour
Senior archaeologist 8 salaries reported	$89,375 per year
Field technician 16 salaries reported	$26.09 per hour
Senior project manager 1 salary reported	$107,500 per year

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