SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST in Silsoe

Salary £35,458 to £37,779 pa (depending on experience) + generous benefits package

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours/week) or part-time (hours to be discussed)

Locations: One of our regional offices in Edinburgh, Cleckheaton (Leeds), Silsoe or Hereford, as chosen by the appointee (with options for some homeworking)

Contract Type: Permanent, subject to 6 month probation period

Closing Date: Close of day Monday 9th February

Why should you apply? We are a privately owned archaeological business, part of the RSK Group, a leader in integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services. We provide heritage services to the development and construction sectors in the UK and across the world. With four offices in England and one in Scotland, we offer our employees:

• Unique knowledge and expertise: For nearly 30 years, Headland has provided not only business‑focused archaeology but also people‑focused business.
• Strong pioneering spirit: Our corporate culture is characterised by a healthy appetite for originality and development.
• Stable company with excellent growth: Over the years, we have demonstrated steady, positive economic development and formed successful partnerships.
• Good work environment: You will be surrounded by colleagues who are pleasant, professional, and enthusiastic about their work.
• Opportunity to influence: You get to work in an open climate, close to decision makers and with the possibility of making a difference.
• Part of RSK group: You will have further opportunities to become involved in nationally and internationally prominent projects with exciting prospects for career development.

The role: Headland Archaeology are expanding our environmental team and are looking for a skilled, motivated individual to undertake in‑house environmental assessment and analysis. Specialists with expertise and experience in the following fields are encouraged to apply: archaeobotany, charcoal, waterlogged wood, archaeozoology, archaeomalacology, and microfossil specialisms, including pollen. The successful candidate will join a team of highly qualified specialists from a range of disciplines working on projects from across the UK, but with a particular emphasis on one major infrastructure project.

Other responsibilities will include developing junior specialists and providing training and guidance in environmental sampling to Headland’s fieldwork teams. We are looking for candidates who are self‑driven with a positive outlook and with demonstrable high‑level expertise in the assessment and analysis of environmental assemblages from UK commercial sites. The successful applicant should also have a track record in commercial reporting. A research profile, including a publication record, is desirable. A role within the department offers the opportunity to work closely with academic institutions and independent researchers at the cutting edge of environmental research and to promote and develop research partnerships. The successful applicant will have the chance to study a wide variety of assemblages, dating from the prehistoric through to the post‑medieval, from sites across Britain. Within the wider post‑excavation department, the position offers the opportunity to contribute to a growing number of monographs and other peer‑reviewed publications.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, record, assess, analyse, interpret and report on environmental assemblages within defined project objectives at assessment and analysis level.
• Estimate resources and help develop environmental programmes for projects.
• Co‑ordinate environmental programmes and personnel within specific post‑excavation projects.
• Provide internal advice and training on environmental sampling on site.
• Produce site‑specific environmental sampling strategies.
• Check, proof‑read and edit work, including the work of others, to established standards, procedures and guidelines as set out by Historic England and other professional bodies.
• Contribute to environmental research projects, both commercial and otherwise.
• Maintain and develop internal recording conventions, libraries and databases.
• Support and train junior specialist staff.
• Undertake other tasks appropriate to your skills and knowledge. This may include site visits where appropriate.

Qualifications:

• A degree in archaeology or a related subject and relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Extensive experience of identifying and interpreting environmental assemblages of your chosen specialism(s) to analysis level in a UK commercial setting.
• A strong and relevant publication record.
• Thorough understanding and awareness of current academic research and legislation within environmental archaeology.
• Ability to write reports clearly and concisely.
• Strong IT skills, including databases and MS Office.
• Broad academic knowledge of British archaeology.
• Ability to work unsupervised and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to mentor/train others in environmental techniques and procedures for your chosen specialism.
• Adherence to safe working practices, in particular to hazards associated with environmental work.
• Be passionate, motivated and excited about what you do!
• Membership of the CIfA at least at Associate level (or willingness to obtain) and other relevant specialist bodies.

Desired Skills:

• Doctorate in an appropriate field.
• Full, valid driving licence (and a willingness to drive company vehicles) is desirable but not essential.

Benefits:

• Competitive paid subsistence when applicable.
• Employee assistance and health support scheme.
• Paid accommodation when working away.
• Use of cutting edge technology on site, e.g., paperless systems, iPads, etc.
• Ongoing regular training in various areas e.g. Health & Safety, Technical areas and transferable skills.
• Time off in lieu of time worked above standard hours or overtime paid.
• Annual profit discretionary bonus & performance‑related bonus schemes, T&Cs apply.
• Annual pay review.
• Monthly clothing allowance.
• 28 days annual leave, rising based on service length.
• Extra annual leave purchase scheme.
• Relocation package.
• 5%-6% employer contribution to pension scheme.
• Income Protection Policy, after a year with Headland.
• Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 4 times your annual salary, after a year with Headland.
• Referral scheme with generous fee.
• A support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders.
• Regular offers through RSK Group (e.g., Tastecard, Gym membership discount, Holidays and Entertainment).
• Employee Assistance Programme (advice on finance, mental health etc).

You must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to your commencement. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we may fill existing vacancies before the closing date, so you are advised to submit your application as early as possible. Send covering letter and CV to Kathryn Turner at jobs@headlandarchaeology.com quoting reference SRENV26. Postal applications will not be accepted. Informal inquiries concerning the role can be made to Kathryn Turner, Environmental Manager – kathryn.turner@headlandarchaeology.com. Your application must contain the names and contact details of at least two referees. Details of references should include their name, relationship to the applicant, postal address, email address and phone number. Unless by prior agreement, we will only contact referees after a provisional offer has been made and accepted.