COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
JOB SPECIFICATION
Post title:
Finds Officer
Responsible to:
Post-Excavation Manager/Senior Finds Officer
Responsible for:
PX Supervisor/other PX staff as appropriate
Job Purpose:
To undertake and/or coordinate finds work, advice and quality
assurance, contributing to the successful completion of projects to
time and budget, and to the continuing improvement of standards,
efficiencies and skills across the organisation.
Main Duties:

Undertake finds project work, including post-excavation assessment and analysis
of artefacts, general spot dating, and the production of specialist artefactual
reports at all levels, including publication standard, to time and budget;

Communicate effectively with colleagues across all CA offices, contributing to the
successful co-ordination of CA finds work programmes, including the allocation of
specialist resources;

Co-ordinate the commissioning, quality assurance and full integration of external
specialist work and reports, in accordance with CA standards and best practice,
and to time and budget;

Provide specialist advice to colleagues, including guidance on the integration of
finds and dating evidence into the post-excavation process; estimates for finds
assessment, analysis, reporting and conservation; and on-site advice;

Contribute to the continuous improvement of archaeological practice and
efficiency across the company, offering advice and guidance on best finds
practices, methods and processes, and through the proactive use of learning
reports;

Contribute to the training of CA staff in finds-related matters (e.g. proper
treatment and recording of registered artefacts; archaeological leather, etc.) as
appropriate;

Undertake line management duties within the Publications department and/or the
designated office, as appropriate;

Ensure that Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards are
adhered to;

To represent CA at appropriate meetings, and to develop a greater public
awareness and appreciation of the work of CA through media liaison, lectures
etc., and to create opportunities for other members of CA staff to do likewise

To carry out other such duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may
determine from time to time.
Revised April 2015
1
Personal Specification:
Essential:

Full EU Driving Licence;

A degree in archaeology or related subject and and/or equivalent experience;

Demonstrable specialist knowledge in an area relevant to British archaeology
(preferably ceramics-related)

A proven track record in archaeological publication;

Good organizational, motivational and directional skills;

Membership of Chartered Institute for Field Archaeologists (MCIfA);

Demonstrable experience of computer applications to be used with the
recording and analysis of archaeological finds for data storage and
manipulation;

Good working knowledge of best practice and procedures in finds archaeology;

Good administrative ability in the maintenance of records;

A sound knowledge of all periods of British Archaeology, with relevant specialist
period and/or area knowledge
Desirable:

Membership of specialist pottery-related research groups (PCRG; SGRP;
MPRG);
Revised April 2015
2