Archaeological Support Officer

Join us and you'll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector, and the world. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you'll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects and develop your skills and knowledge along the way. The role - what's involved? You will be taking an active role in be providing comprehensive one-to-one support to an early career autistic field archaeologist working within our fieldwork team. You will need to be proactive and be able to build positive relationships, enjoy a varied workload and have excellent attention to detail. A key element in this role is your ability to communicate and ideally be familiar with the challenges that the neurodivergent community face. This is a chance to be part of a series of archaeological projects, but crucially your role will be helping others to experience archaeological fieldwork in roles that have traditionally been challenging to access, this includes working on away projects. In this role the relationship between you and the individual you are providing support for is a key element of its success and ongoing reviews will take place to ensure it works and evolves healthily. Main responsibilities will include:

• Providing emotional support and ensuring the work environment is well-
structured, with clearly set daily expectations to provide the required support and structure.
• Providing clear and concise instructions in undertaking work.
• Providing sensitive but direct feedback on progress when undertaking regular
reviews of performance and development.
• To advocate for and help other staff become more aware of how to support
neurodiversity in the workplace.
• Providing reassurance, develop and implement support strategies in stressful
situations.
• Encourage progress for a career in archaeology without or with a reduced
need for one-to-one support.


• A good understanding of British archaeology and experience of archaeological
fieldwork
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to build strong working
relationships.
• Awareness of and interest in Diversity & Inclusion, including disability and
mental health;
• A full clean Driving Licence.
Desirable:
• Previous experience of working in a support role.
• Personal experience of engaging with individuals on the autistic spectrum,
whether through family, friends or colleagues.
• Awareness of disabilities and assistive technologies and experience working
within a project oriented environment. Whilst Wessex Archaeology offers a flexible approach to working, the successful applicant (and recipient) will primarily fulfil a fieldwork role and will therefore be site-based. This will be a full-time appointment, working 7.4 hours each day. A DBS check will be carried out as part of this role., Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.

Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.


• 22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years
of continuous service.
• Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension
contribution 6.5%.
• Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.
Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits
• Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90%
for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
• Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
• 5 days of carers leave.
• Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent
on length of service.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
• Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential
service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
• AIG SmartHealth - round-the-clock support for you and your family.
Sustainability and other benefits
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Bike2Work scheme.
• 100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.
• High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
• Free transport from regional offices to sites.
• Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
• Subsistence allowance.