Cultural Resources Intern

About the Role

• Perform cultural resources data entry, artifact analysis, and reporting. • Conduct field surveying, site recording, and artifact identification. • Follow State Historic Preservation Office and federal guidelines for archaeological work. • Assist with cartography and archaeological map analysis. • Carry equipment up to 40 lb and work in various weather conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸data entry
• ▸artifact analysis
• ▸field surveying
• ▸cartography
• ▸map analysis
• ▸reporting

What You Bring

SWCA is seeking a Cultural Resources Intern for the Summer 2026 session, with placement options in Pasadena, San Diego, or Riverside, CA. The intern will support both office and field projects, handling data entry, artifact analyses, reporting, and participating in fieldwork that typically lasts a week or more. The internship runs from early June to mid‑August, is paid at $21.38 per hour for a 40‑hour work week, and mainly involves field activities with some travel, overnight lodging, and desktop assignments on non‑field days. Candidates should reside within commuting distance of an SWCA office and must submit a cover letter and resume. Interns will gain hands‑on experience with surveying, site recording, and artifact identification, and will learn to follow State Historic Preservation Office and federal guidelines. They will also be introduced to cartography, archaeological map analysis, and the significance criteria for the California Register of Historical Resources and the National Register of Historic Places. Coordination with academic staff will help meet course‑credit requirements, and interns will be exposed to a nationally recognized cultural compliance consulting firm. Applicants must be currently enrolled in or have recently completed a program focused on cultural resource management, anthropology, archaeology, or a related field, with at least three credits in archaeology or architectural history. Master’s candidates are eligible, while Ph.D. candidates are not. Required skills include proficiency with Microsoft Office, strong communication and interpersonal abilities, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques. Field‑based interns should have completed an archaeological field school and be prepared to travel 50%–75% of the time, including up to ten consecutive days at a field location. They must be able to walk and work up to ten hours per day in various weather conditions, carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds, and possess a valid driver’s license with the ability to operate a four‑wheel‑drive vehicle on backcountry roads. Helpful skills include familiarity with GPS devices, digital data‑collection tools, and mapping software such as ArcGIS, as well as technical writing experience. SWCA is an employee‑owned firm and one of the largest environmental compliance companies in the United States. • Travel 50%–75% of the internship, including up to ten‑day field assignments with overnight lodging. • Operate a four‑wheel‑drive vehicle on backcountry roads (valid driver’s license required). • Use Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with GPS, ArcGIS, and digital data collection is a plus. • Maintain strong communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail. • Complete at least three credits in archaeology or architectural history coursework. • Be enrolled in or recently graduated from a relevant degree program (C​R​M, anthropology, archaeology, etc.).

Requirements

• ▸arcgis
• ▸gps
• ▸microsoft office
• ▸archaeology
• ▸field school
• ▸4wd vehicle

Benefits

• Earn $21.38 per hour for a full‑time, 40‑hour‑per‑week paid internship.

Work Environment

Field

Interview Process

-interviews scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis after application review.