What are the responsibilities and job description for the Archaeological Field Technician position at Historic St. Mary’s City?
Historic St. Mary’s City
Job Posting: Archaeological Field Technician, Leonard Calvert House Site
Why Work Here?
Historic St. Mary's City is located on the St. Mary’s River, in a beautiful tidewater landscape of
water, rolling hills, farmland, and forest. The 835-acre living history and archaeology museum is on
the site of Maryland’s first capital (1634-1695). Our team is fortunate to build upon decades of
cutting-edge research, with recreated structures in the historic town center, a Woodland Indian
hamlet, a tall ship, and a tobacco plantation staffed by costumed or uniformed interpreters who help
visitors understand the stories of Maryland’s history. Ongoing archaeological excavations continue
to reveal new information about life in the past, and a new visitors center, the Maryland Heritage
Interpretive Center, will come online in 2026. The museum has identified more than 300
archaeological sites within the St. Mary’s City National Historic Landmark (NHL) and curates more
than 6.5 million artifacts representing millennia of human history.
The museum is one of Southern Maryland’s leading tourism attractions and hosts an active school
tour program. Its collections are a resource for professional archaeologists, scholars, and college
students. The HSMCC historical archaeology field school, one of the longest-running field schools
in the nation, attracts students from all over the United States, as well as from other countries. The
museum is overseen by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission (HSMCC), an independent agency
of the State of Maryland, under the Office of the Governor. Although the Commission is state-
funded, external grants and philanthropy are increasingly important sources of support for operating
and capital funding.
Salary: $20.00 Hourly
FLSA Status: Non - Exempt; Contractual; Full-time (40 hrs/wk)
Reports to: Site Director, Leonard Calvert House Site
Work Conditions: Primarily outdoors with periodic indoor work
Benefits: Subsidized Health Benefits, Limited Sick and Safe Leave
What We Are Offering
- Work with a passionate, welcoming, energetic, and highly collaborative team.
- Stewardship of world-class archaeological, historical, and living history resources.
- 40-hour work week
- Subsidized Health Benefits to include medical, prescription, dental, and flexible
- Medical plans include EPO, PPO and IHM options.
- Limited Sick and Safe Leave.
Duties/Responsibilities
Archaeological Technicians work under the Site Director towards fulfilling the Historic St. Mary’s
City Commission’s (HSMCC) mission to preserve and protect the archaeological and historical
record of Maryland's first colonial capital and to appropriately develop and use this historic and
scenic site for the education, enjoyment, and general benefit of the public. Archaeological
Technicians operate within the Department of Research and Collections, comprised of an active field
archaeology program, curatorial research and interpretation, preservation and management of
artefactual and environmental collections, public educational programs, and publications. Under
direction of the Site Director: conducts Phase III excavations at the Leonard Calvert House Site and
nearby archaeological sites; works with project staff, volunteers, and students; conducts
archaeological laboratory processing and data entry. This position pays $20/hour and is full-time (40
hours per week), non-exempt.
Qualifications
• B.A. in Archaeology, Anthropology, History, or related field.
- Experience on Phase III archaeological investigations preferred.
- Completion of an archaeological field school or equivalent experience and coursework.
- Experience with colonial and/or precolonial archaeology, architecture, and artifacts. Familiarity
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to excel in a team-oriented environment.
- Personal desire and ability to engage the public in person and in digital formats.
- Ability to use computers, especially Microsoft Office software including Word, PowerPoint, and
- A willingness to learn and adopt new technological tools to serve the museum’s Research and
Collections program.
To apply please submit your resume, cover letter, and three references to:
Porzia.Purves@maryland.gov
To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by March 28, 2025.
It is unlikely that any one candidate will be perfect for this job, as the skills and experience needed to
be successful exist on a spectrum. Frequently cited statistics show that candidates with disabilities,
BIPOC candidates, women, and members of marginalized and/or systematically excluded groups
apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. It is rare for anyone to meet 100% of the
qualifications, so if this position interests you, you have relevant experience, and are confident that
you can do the job, please just apply.
Salary : $20