Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Skip to job details
JM
James Madison's Montpelier
Archaeology Summer Intern 2026
Career Insights for Archeologist
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on Virginia data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
An Archeologist finds and analyzes artifacts, such as tools, the remains of buildings or ships, or human skeletons, to learn about past human cultures and civilizations. Supervises careful excavation of artifacts at field sites, records and analyzes evidence. May manage or protect archeological sites, or assess building sites prior to the start of construction
$60,536 / year median in Virginia
+19% projected growth
Job Description
Work as part of a mission and value driven team in carrying out all elements of the archaeological process in order to improve our understanding of the cultural resources of James Madison?s Montpelier ? the home and the plantation. Work with the archaeology staff to conduct archaeological excavations and surveys, interpret this information to the visiting public on a day-to-day basis, be an active part of the Summer LEARN public archaeology program(s) at Montpelier, and in teaching the Summer Archaeology Field School. This position pays $12.66 an hour with an average of 35 hours per week (full time). This position provides on property housing. The Archaeology team is dedicated to professional development and providing opportunities to expand your skills and advance your career. This position also provides an opportunity to apply for the 2026-27 internships with the Montpelier Archaeology Department. DUTIES Learn from the archaeological department in order to build on and hone skills learned during the previous Field School Assist Archaeology staff in supervising and educating students during Montpelier?s archaeological field school and at Arlington House. Excavation of archaeological strata and features individually and as part of a team using appropriate tools. Rigorous and conscientious recording of archaeological deposits (photography, stratum sheets, drawing) of excavated strata/features. Assist in the survey of cultural resources and archaeological materials through the use of shovel test pits, transit/total station, geophysical survey, or walk over surveys as required. Post-excavation processing of archaeological materials in the archaeology lab (water-screening, floating, finds washing, gradient sorting, picking, cataloging). Check-in and process archaeological samples, and maintain archaeological collections database. Instruct archaeological techniques during the LEARN Archaeology Public programs offered by the Montpelier Archaeology Department. Engage with the public in a polite and professional manner as one informs them of archaeological processes and historical concepts. This includes visitors at the archaeological site, archaeology lab, and using social media. Work a varying weekly schedule that may include weekends (not to exceed 70 hours per pay period). Maintain and care for Arlington House throughout the field school. Work as part of a value driven team to further the goals of the Archaeology Department and mission of The Montpelier Foundation, setting an example for students. Other duties as assigned.