Scope

This document defines minimum qualifications for an individual to serve as Crew Leader for professional archaeological studies conducted in California. These include investigations carried out to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The Crew Leader assists in implementing the field and laboratory methods as set forth in the field work plan established by the Principal Investigator. The Crew Leader works under the direction of the Field Director and supervises the work of a set of crew members to implement a specific task of the work plan such as survey, excavation, or artifact processing.

The Crew Leader is appropriately qualified –as evidenced by training, education, experience, and possesses demonstrable competence in archaeological theory and methods, and in collecting, handling, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting archaeological data—in relation to the type and scope of the work proposed, and meets the following minimum qualifications in Education, Experience, and Sub-disciplinary Experience.

Education

1. An undergraduate degree (e.g., B.A. or B.S. in Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Resources Management, or closely related field from an accredited institution;

Experience

1. Twenty-four (24) months’ experience successfully conducting archaeological investigations at the level of Crew Member (see SCA PQ for Crew Member), AND
2. Demonstrated ability to
   1. apply appropriate archaeological methods and procedures (e.g., data collection, recording provenience and/or context information, cataloging) in field and laboratory settings,
   2. record sites and their associated cultural and natural features (e.g., hearths, stratigraphic profiles, and soils profiles), AND
   3. identify artifacts and cultural and natural features
   4. direct, coordinate, and supervise the work of less experienced archaeologists in field and laboratory settings.
3.  Demonstrated knowledge of the site-specific archaeological context, AND
4. Demonstrated understanding of the role of archaeological studies within the context of environmental and cultural resources laws and regulations (e.g., assistance in writing archaeological reports or cultural resources sections of environmental documents}, AND
5. Demonstrated experience interacting with descendant community representatives (e.g., Tribal monitors and/or heritage organizations), clients, property owners, agency officials, the public, etc., AND

Sub-disciplinary Experience:  Prehistoric Archaeology

At least twelve (12) months’ experience conducting prehistoric archaeology investigations at level of Crew Member under the direction of an SCA-qualified Crew Leader, Field Director, or Principal Investigator at prehistoric sites.  This year may be counted toward the two years’ experience described above.

Sub-disciplinary Experience:  Historical Archaeology

At least twelve (12) months’ experience conducting historical archaeology investigations at level of Crew Member under the direction of an SCA-qualified Crew Leader, Field Director, or Principal Investigator at historic-period archaeological sites. This year may be counted toward the two years’ experience described above.

(Revised 8/15/16)