Policy Analyst (Archaeologist)

Requisition ID: 46875 

Organization

Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The Park Board Archaeologist participates on a team of planning, design, development and arts and culture professionals. They provide expert professional advice and direction in archaeological resource planning and management to Park Board staff including operations teams, partner groups such and other departments as needed. The Archaeologist is responsible for proposal writing, project management, field work, report writing, leading workshops, interacting with Park Board personnel, working with First Nations, and supervising/mentoring staff.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Archaeological Oversight for Park Board Projects:

• Develops protocols, policies and administrative procedures.
• Reviews and comments on technical plans and studies from an archaeological perspective.
• Applies for required permits on behalf of the Park Board, conducts field assessments, and completes required reporting and analysis.
• Recommends changes to proposed Park Board projects to ensure consistency with current and evolving statutory and scientific environments.
• Recommends project specifications and required level of effort for assessment of impacts and protection and conservation of archaeological resources in Vancouver parks.
• Audits work, including conducting field inspections, assessing areas and excavations of sites, especially at the commencement of Park Board projects or in the event of chance finds.
• For any Park Board projects, if necessary, investigates any reported contraventions of the permit requirements, and provincial legislated and policy standards and other sensitive issues, and provides expert advice, testimony and recommendations to relevant authorities when needed. Determines the scope of mitigative or compensatory archaeological work.
• In the event of human remains being found on a Park Board project, provides guidance and support to policing authorities and the Coroners Service and consults with First Nations and/or other parties to determine disposition of remains.
• Where appropriate, evaluates independent contract archaeologists performance on Park Board related projects.

Development of Archaeological Policies, Procedures and Protocols:

• Develops and implements new operational policies, procedures, guidelines and technical standards that support cultural resource management objectives.
• Develops and manages projects on unique cultural resource initiatives or priorities, including training and educational modules.

Communication

• Prepares and delivers reports and presentations for senior management, the elected Park Board and others.
• Consults with First Nations to determine the nature of aboriginal rights and potential infringements resulting from proposed archaeological studies or archaeological site alterations and negotiates accommodations for potential infringements.
• Consults and communicates with Park Board staff and other City offices and departments.
• Responds external enquiries/concerns relating to archaeological aspects of park plans or project development.
• Reviews any provincial or other regulatory initiatives to provide advice on their implications, if any.
• Represents the Park Board on land use planning initiatives with professional organizations at workshops and conferences.

Research and Data Management:

• Effectively manages and/or compiles resource data and inventory working with the staff GIS Technician.
• Conducts and manages archival and background research projects.
• Keeps abreast of emerging practices and policies.
• Conducts other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualification
Education and Experience:

• Completion of a university degree in a related discipline, preferably at the post-graduate level and considerable related experience in local government or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Membership or eligibility for Professional Membership in the British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists.
• Preferred Master’s degree with a specialization in archaeology or an equivalent combination of Bachelor’s degree in archaeology or anthropology with a specialization in archaeology and post-graduate training and experience.
• Considerable experience in archaeological resource management.
• Requires familiarity with the rules and regulations governing archaeology in British Columbia and a working knowledge of related municipal, provincial and federal laws, regulations and practices.
• Prior experience liaising with First Nations, regulatory bodies, municipal staff and other levels of government.
• Should be or eligible for Registered Permit Holder status in BC.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A genuine interest in First Nations material culture and history.
• Working knowledge of the City's development review and infrastructure development processes.
• Strong interpersonal, project management, communication and negotiation skills including excellent writing skills.
• Ability to represent Park Board and First Nations interests.
• Ability to exercise discretion and tact in negotiations.
• Highly organized with an ability to maintain and manage accurate records.
• Ability to be impartial and exercise good judgement.
• Ability to speak well in public and to various organizations.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with little supervision.
• Able to conduct field inspections.
• Demonstrated proficiency in compiling data and writing reports, guidelines and policies.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Professional suite; ArcView, AutoCAD and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to interpret maps.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse Operations staff to effectively facilitate fieldwork and report compilation.
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Driver’s License and Record Checks:

• A current and valid Drivers License for the Province of British Columbia with a satisfactory driving record.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department:  Board of Parks and Recreation 

Affiliation:  CUPE 15 Parks 

Employment Type:  Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: October 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $55.12 to $65.17 per hour

Application Close: September 6, 2026

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.   Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion . 

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). More about unceded traditional territories

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