Human Resources in Canada's Built Heritage Sector: Mapping the ...

HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT HERITAGE SECTORArchaeologistsOverview of Occupation:• Archaeologists are employed by governments and heritage institutions. Many archaeologists alsohold faculty positions in colleges and universities. Some archaeologists also work in private heritageconsultancies.• When required by statute, archaeologists assess sites prior to development activities that may disturbor destroy archaeological remains. Where assessments warrant, subsequent field work may be undertaken.• Archaeologists also provide cultural and historical interpretation based on artefacts.Training and Education:• Archaeologists have an undergraduate or (more commonly) a post-graduate degree in archaeology.Occupational or Professional Regulation:• In B.C., though not in other provinces, the profession has a restricted title, “Registered ProfessionalConsulting Archaeologist.” Registration is dependent on meeting minimum educational and experiencerequirements and accepting a code of practice.• In other provinces, professional associations exist. These associations, however, do not have anystatutory authority.Key Skills unique to the Built Heritage Sector:• Ability to prepare or review archaeological assessments of built heritage sites.• Ability to undertake or manage archaeological field work.• Knowledge of conservation standards and techniques.• Relevant language skills.Associations or Administrative Bodies concerned with Professional orOccupational Standards, Licensing or Certification:• In B.C., the B.C. Association of Professional Consulting Archaeologists maintains a professionalregister and confers use of the restricted title, “Registered Professional Consulting Archaeologist”• In other provinces, there are professional associations. However, these associations have noregulatory function.NOC:• 4169 Other Professional Occupations in Social Science n.e.c.Potential Issues:• All jurisdictions have legislation protecting archaeological sites and artefacts. Typically this legislationrequires an archaeological assessment prior to major development or construction activity. It is common,although not universal, that when a review is statutorily mandated, there are also regulation-supportedoccupational standards applicable to persons who conduct that review. In Canada, in the archaeologyfield, this applies at present only in B.C.82©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL