Apprentice Fieldwork Archaeologist

Summary

To contribute to archaeological investigations in the field. This includes excavating, recording and interpreting archaeological features, collecting artefacts and environmental samples, and the processing of finds, environmental material and survey data. A successful apprentice will become a qualified field archaeologist.

Annual wage

£23,400 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Over 18s

Training course

Archaeological technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm, including 30 minutes morning tea break and 40 minutes lunch break.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Monday 3 February

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Under the direction of a mentor, Apprentices will work as part of a team to contribute to the investigation of archaeological sites through fieldwork excavations. The work is based outside, and we work in all weather conditions and in all seasons.

Initially, you will be working on a large excavation in Suffolk, where you will be uncovering archaeology from a range of different time periods. This is a physically demanding role. Starting at 8am and finishing at 4pm, you will learn to manually excavate small and large archaeological features using a range of tools including trowel, shovel and mattock.

You will also learn to interpret and record your features using a range of techniques including photography, context recording sheets and survey drawing techniques.

As well as contributing to site excavations, you will have the opportunity to learn how archaeological findings are processed and interpreted. You will work with our Finds Teams to help process and identify different types of artefacts to learn about the site’s inhabitants and to help date the site and its different phases. You will work with our Geomatics Team to process site surveys and other data to understand the extent and layout of the archaeology and build a picture of our findings.

You will work with our Environmental Team to process soil samples and find clues as to what people ate in the past, and how they lived. You will also work with our Post Excavation Team, to learn the processes of bringing all this data together to create a comprehensive analysis of a site and its inhabitants, and to produce reports and publications.

Because of its rural location, your starting site in Suffolk is classed as ‘away work’, which means you will be provided with transport to the site in Suffolk from whichever office you’re based at (likely to be either Oxford or Cambridge) and be provided with live-in accommodation during the week, with the option to stay through weekends if preferred. Candidates will also be given a subsistence payment of £22.50 per night to contribute to food etc. There will be the possibility to work on ‘home-based’ sites which you can drive to using your own vehicle, or be transported to each day via a work vehicle from the office.

Because of the potentially wide geographical spread of our work, this apprenticeship will require you to be able to travel to our office and be flexible to work on away-based and home-based excavations.

Oxford Archaeology will provide all required PPE and tools for candidates.

Where you’ll work

OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY LTD

JANUS HOUSE

OSNEY MEAD

OXFORD

OX2 0ES

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Your training course

Archaeological technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Apply an awareness of professional judgement and ethical behaviour.
Research and assimilate appropriate background information, including that from project specific Written Schemes of Investigation, archaeological archives and reports, aerial photographic collections, LiDAR data, and geophysical and topographic surveys and local and national listings.
Catalogue data recovered from archaeological excavations, including environmental and geological samples, artefacts and ecofacts.
Maintain their own safety, and that of others, by adhering to all applicable Health and Safety rules, policies and procedures.
Recognise and report risks in order to reduce the risk of incidents.
Conduct work in line with Employer’s and industry procedures and standards, specifically the CIfA Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation, Watching Brief, Evaluation and Archives.
Establish the requirements upon them for forthcoming projects, including timescales, deadlines, work locations and supervisors.
Estimate resources and select appropriate equipment, including hand tools, survey, recording and measuring equipment, and artefact sampling, collection packaging, labelling and processing equipment.
Investigate and understand archaeological sites and heritage assets.
Recognise and be able to appropriately package and preserve fragile material evidence of past communities.
Compile catalogues and databases of archaeological context records, samples and finds.
Contribute to the preparation of archaeological site archives and materials for museum deposition.
Carry out work both indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions, all year round.
Identify information required to achieve research objectives, for instance reference to project specific Written Schemes of Investigation for archaeological strategies, and to appropriate published regional, period or subject research agendas.
Follow correct procedures to access and use information, including Employer’s technical manuals, GIS systems and databases.
Validate/evaluate accuracy of information, including proof reading of data entry and reports.
Categorise and classify data appropriately, including creation of databases and stratigraphic matrices for archaeological excavations.
Present and report data using field records in appropriate form for various audiences, including plans, sections, pro-forma context recording sheets and databases.
Contribute to advances in the body of knowledge and Historic Environment Practice.
Commit to continuous improvement and personal development.

Your training plan

Archaeological Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard:

Whilst the majority of training will take place with the employer, you will be required to attend College classes on Teams every Friday during term time

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
ability to multi-task

Other requirements

Candidates must be willing to work in rural locations, away from home, living living in shared accommodation (note you will have your own room). A subsistence payment of £22.50 per night will be given to contribute to food etc. The role is physically demanding, using tools to manually excavate potentially large archaeological features, so candidates need to be physically able. Necessary tools, equipment and PPE will be provided. Interviews will take place mid-January 2025. No previous skills or experience in archaeology required, but an enthusiasm for the subject is essential. A valid Driving Licence may be helpful but is not essential.

About this company

Oxford Archaeology delivers high quality archaeological and heritage services for our commercial partners and the communities in which we operate. We are one of the largest research-led archaeology organisations in Europe, with offices in Oxford, Cambridge and Lancaster. We provide a range of services for clients including (but not limited to) archaeological excavation and survey, heritage consultancy, landscape and building studies, heritage burial services, community engagement, research and archiving. As a registered charity, public benefit is at the heart of all our work at Oxford Archaeology. It is important to us to foster an appreciation for the past, make it meaningful to people’s lives today, and ensure it is accessible to everyone - now and forever. We offer a wide range of community focused services and activities to commercial clients, project partners, community groups, educational providers and curious individuals.

http://www.oxfordarchaeology.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, candidates will be offered a full-time contract as a Fieldwork Archaeologist with Oxford Archaeology (assuming that the work is available)
They will then be enrolled onto our Fieldwork Training Pathways; a training programme that provides the necessary knowledge and skills as they develop professionally in their fieldwork career
Opportunities to move into other departments may be possible, subject to roles becoming available

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Kate Tingle

kate.tingle@cirencester.ac.uk

01285626168

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000292567.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Sunday 5 January at 11:59pm)

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