STEM OPT Archaeologist Jobs
Archaeologist roles sit within STEM-designated CIP codes, making graduates with anthropology, earth sciences, or related STEM degrees eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before starting. That gives you up to 36 months to build field experience and pursue long-term sponsorship.
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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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Archaeologist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Archaeology roles qualify under STEM OPT only if your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Check your transcript and diploma against that list before targeting employers, since a mismatch disqualifies you from the 24-month extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during outreach
Ask hiring managers directly whether their organization is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer. Federal and state archaeology contractors are often enrolled by law, but smaller cultural resource management firms may not be, and you cannot begin STEM OPT without a compliant employer.
Build an I-983 training plan around field rotations
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For archaeologists, map each field rotation, lab analysis, or GIS project to a concrete skill from your academic program so your DSO can approve the plan without revision.
Target federal archaeology contractors on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for archaeology employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active STEM OPT hiring history. Federal contractors working on Section 106 compliance and public lands projects are among the most consistent sponsors for long-term work authorization.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark prevailing wages
Pull the prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and county using OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Archaeology salaries vary sharply between federal agencies, universities, and private cultural resource management firms, and your employer's LCA must meet the DOL wage floor for your location.
File your extension application 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your initial OPT EAD expires. Submit through your DSO at least 90 days out to allow processing time and avoid a gap in work authorization that would interrupt active fieldwork contracts.
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Find Archaeologist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an archaeology degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific CIP code, not the degree title. Programs coded under Anthropology (45.0201), Geological and Earth Sciences (40.06xx), or Geographic Information Science (45.0702) appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Check your official transcript for the CIP code and cross-reference the DHS list before assuming eligibility. Your DSO can confirm whether your program qualifies.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for an archaeologist?
The I-983 must connect each work assignment to a STEM learning objective from your degree program. For archaeologists, that means documenting how field survey, artifact analysis, GIS mapping, or laboratory work develops skills tied to your anthropology or earth sciences coursework. Vague descriptions like 'field research' aren't enough. Your employer signs the form alongside your DSO, and USCIS can audit it at any time during your STEM OPT period.
How do I find archaeology employers enrolled in E-Verify?
Federal agencies and their contractors are generally required to use E-Verify, making them reliable targets for STEM OPT students. State historic preservation offices and universities with archaeology programs are also common E-Verify participants. You can search for archaeology positions on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers with verified E-Verify enrollment so you don't have to confirm compliance separately before applying.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my archaeology contract ends between projects?
USCIS allows up to 150 cumulative days of unemployment during the combined OPT and STEM OPT period. Project-based archaeology work creates gaps between contracts, so track your unemployment days carefully. If you exceed the 150-day limit, your OPT authorization terminates. Lining up your next employer and updating your I-983 before a contract ends protects your status and restarts your training plan with the new employer.
Can cap-gap protection cover me if my H-1B is selected while I'm on STEM OPT?
Yes. If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Your STEM OPT employment can continue uninterrupted during this period. USCIS issues an automatic cap-gap extension, and your DSO can provide updated documentation for your employer to keep on file.
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