OPT Archaeologist Jobs
Archaeologist jobs on OPT are available across federal agencies, universities, cultural resource management firms, and museums. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent or fall under social sciences, giving you solid ground for standard 12-month OPT. Field and lab positions both count toward authorized employment.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #50 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.
Position Summary
Responsible for scheduling, managing, and conducting Phase I-III fieldwork, lab analysis, and research associated with archaeological projects. Responsible for writing all, or portions of, archaeological reports at the direction of the Senior Archaeologist. The qualified candidate for this position will assist JMT Senior Archaeologists during Phase I-III field work throughout the country, with a focus on Texas and adjacent states.
Preference is for individuals willing to work from or relocate to JMT office locations in Houston or Round Rock, Texas.
Why JMT
Our existing business portfolio provides many opportunities for your personal career trajectory while collaborating with JMT’s growing cultural resources group.
Benefits
JMT offers outstanding opportunities for career and professional growth. We are 100% employee-owned (ESOP) and offer outstanding health care coverage and other benefits, including:
- Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Caregiver Leave Program
- 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Career Development Programs
- And more…
Compensation for this position is $70,000 - $80,000/year, commensurate with experience, education and certifications. The provided range is a good faith estimate based on the requirements described within the job description. We notice that we receive a wide variety of applicants and recognize that the person selected may be less experienced or more experienced. If so, the actual salary range may vary from the estimate provided.
After an initial training period, a hybrid work schedule is available.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Conducts archaeological field work to locate and identify archaeological resources
- Conducts archaeological monitoring during construction projects or pre-construction
- Collects data and field samples during archaeological investigations
- Analyzes historic and pre-historic artifacts
- Documents methodologies and findings of research and archaeological investigations
- Takes daily notes of field progress
- Schedules fieldwork based on project schedule
- Instructs field crews on how to use equipment, technology and field methods, as required
- Assists in writing sections of archaeological reports and/or prepare archaeological site forms
- Uses the National Register Criteria for Evaluation to make site eligibility recommendations for the National Register of Historic Places
- Works with technical field, lab and office staff, managers and administrative staff to ensure that projects meet JMT and professional quality standards
- Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1:1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team.
Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel
- Must successfully complete and pass JMT's Motor Vehicle screening
- Valid Driver’s License Required
Required Experience
- Master’s Degree from an accredited school in archaeology
- Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Qualification Standards for Archaeologists
- 3+ years’ experience in cultural resources management of archaeology projects
- 1+ year of leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience in Phase I-III fieldwork
- Proficiency in ESRI FieldMaps Application or similar applications
- Regional (Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana) experience in historic and/or prehistoric archaeology
- Must be able to provide a writing sample from either a thesis, dissertation, or archaeological report
Preferred Experience
- Registered Professional Archaeologist
- Familiarity with ArcGISPro, Field Maps, Google Earth, and/or other GIS programs
- Familiarity with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and with the Antiquities Code of Texas
- Experience obtaining a Texas Antiquities Permit
- Significant lab and curation experience
Working Conditions
Work is performed in the field 50% of the time and requires the ability to extensively perform bending, kneeling, standing, shoveling, and lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs as needed. Field work will require walking and carrying field equipment over typical outdoor terrain. Work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Out-of-town travel is expected, requiring driving and/or flying to project locations.
Office work is performed within a general office environment 50% of the time. Office work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Office work is performed with adequate lighting and temperature, with no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
INTRODUCTION
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #50 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.
Position Summary
Responsible for scheduling, managing, and conducting Phase I-III fieldwork, lab analysis, and research associated with archaeological projects. Responsible for writing all, or portions of, archaeological reports at the direction of the Senior Archaeologist. The qualified candidate for this position will assist JMT Senior Archaeologists during Phase I-III field work throughout the country, with a focus on Texas and adjacent states.
Preference is for individuals willing to work from or relocate to JMT office locations in Houston or Round Rock, Texas.
Why JMT
Our existing business portfolio provides many opportunities for your personal career trajectory while collaborating with JMT’s growing cultural resources group.
Benefits
JMT offers outstanding opportunities for career and professional growth. We are 100% employee-owned (ESOP) and offer outstanding health care coverage and other benefits, including:
- Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Caregiver Leave Program
- 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Career Development Programs
- And more…
Compensation for this position is $70,000 - $80,000/year, commensurate with experience, education and certifications. The provided range is a good faith estimate based on the requirements described within the job description. We notice that we receive a wide variety of applicants and recognize that the person selected may be less experienced or more experienced. If so, the actual salary range may vary from the estimate provided.
After an initial training period, a hybrid work schedule is available.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Conducts archaeological field work to locate and identify archaeological resources
- Conducts archaeological monitoring during construction projects or pre-construction
- Collects data and field samples during archaeological investigations
- Analyzes historic and pre-historic artifacts
- Documents methodologies and findings of research and archaeological investigations
- Takes daily notes of field progress
- Schedules fieldwork based on project schedule
- Instructs field crews on how to use equipment, technology and field methods, as required
- Assists in writing sections of archaeological reports and/or prepare archaeological site forms
- Uses the National Register Criteria for Evaluation to make site eligibility recommendations for the National Register of Historic Places
- Works with technical field, lab and office staff, managers and administrative staff to ensure that projects meet JMT and professional quality standards
- Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1:1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team.
Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel
- Must successfully complete and pass JMT's Motor Vehicle screening
- Valid Driver’s License Required
Required Experience
- Master’s Degree from an accredited school in archaeology
- Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Qualification Standards for Archaeologists
- 3+ years’ experience in cultural resources management of archaeology projects
- 1+ year of leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience in Phase I-III fieldwork
- Proficiency in ESRI FieldMaps Application or similar applications
- Regional (Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana) experience in historic and/or prehistoric archaeology
- Must be able to provide a writing sample from either a thesis, dissertation, or archaeological report
Preferred Experience
- Registered Professional Archaeologist
- Familiarity with ArcGISPro, Field Maps, Google Earth, and/or other GIS programs
- Familiarity with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and with the Antiquities Code of Texas
- Experience obtaining a Texas Antiquities Permit
- Significant lab and curation experience
Working Conditions
Work is performed in the field 50% of the time and requires the ability to extensively perform bending, kneeling, standing, shoveling, and lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs as needed. Field work will require walking and carrying field equipment over typical outdoor terrain. Work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Out-of-town travel is expected, requiring driving and/or flying to project locations.
Office work is performed within a general office environment 50% of the time. Office work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Office work is performed with adequate lighting and temperature, with no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
See all 66+ OPT Archaeologist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Archaeologist
Target federal and university employers first
Federal agencies like the National Park Service and universities with active field programs sponsor OPT and H-1B visa regularly. These institutions have established HR processes for work authorization and are less likely to reject candidates on visa grounds alone.
Lead with your specialized technical skills
GIS mapping, ground-penetrating radar, zooarchaeology, or bioarchaeology expertise sets you apart. Employers in cultural resource management and research institutions actively seek these skills and are more willing to support work authorization for candidates who bring hard-to-find capabilities.
Understand your OPT employment requirements
Your work must be directly related to your degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field. Roles in cultural resource management, site assessment, or museum collections qualify. Administrative or unrelated work does not count toward authorized OPT employment.
Pursue cultural resource management firms proactively
CRM firms handle federally mandated archaeological surveys before construction projects. They hire year-round, often struggle to find qualified candidates, and operate under federal contracts that normalize visa sponsorship conversations. Smaller firms are often more flexible than large corporations.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
Archaeology hiring cycles, especially for field seasons, run months in advance. Submitting applications before your OPT authorization begins shows employers you are organized and reduces their concern about a gap between your start date and work authorization.
Frame your international background as an asset
Experience excavating sites outside the U.S. or familiarity with foreign artifact typologies is genuinely valuable in archaeology. Position your international training and multilingual ability as specialized knowledge, not a complication. Employers working on cross-border or comparative projects actively value this.
Archaeologist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do archaeologist jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Archaeology roles qualify for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree. This includes field excavation, laboratory analysis, site documentation, GIS mapping, and collections management. Your major should be in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related discipline. Roles that are administrative or unrelated to your field of study do not count as valid OPT employment.
Where can I find archaeologist jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on employers already open to candidates on OPT or H-1B, which saves time and reduces rejection from employers who screen out international applicants early in the process.
Can I work for a cultural resource management firm on OPT?
Yes, and CRM firms are often one of the most accessible entry points for OPT students in archaeology. These firms conduct federally mandated surveys and excavations before land development, creating consistent hiring demand. Because they operate under federal contracts and frequently face candidate shortages, many are comfortable working with candidates on OPT or sponsoring H-1B visas afterward.
Does seasonal field work count as valid OPT employment?
It depends on the structure. USCIS requires that OPT employment be at least 20 hours per week to count as valid. Seasonal field positions that meet this threshold and are directly related to your degree qualify. Short-term contracts or volunteer roles that fall below 20 hours per week do not count and could jeopardize your OPT authorization if they represent your only employment.
Which employers in archaeology are most likely to sponsor H-1B after OPT?
Federal agencies including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Smithsonian Institution have consistent track records of sponsoring work visas. Research universities with active archaeological programs also sponsor regularly. Larger CRM firms with recurring federal contracts are more likely to sponsor H-1B than smaller boutique firms, though exceptions exist for candidates with rare technical specializations.