Job detailsDetails

• Title: Archaeological Officer
• Reference: SCC/TP/291065/6259
• Positions: 1
• Salary: £34,660 - £36,943 per annum
• Category: Cultural Services
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Posted on: 29 October 2026
• Closing date: 15 November 2026
• Directorate: Resources
• Location: Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, GU21 6ND

Description

This role has a starting salary of £34,660 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are excited to be recruiting an Archaeological Officer to join our fantastic team, based at the Surrey History Centre. This role combines working at the Surrey History Centre as well as remote working, council or partner venue-based working, field work and working in the community.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

About the Role

As an Archaeological Officer, you will play a key role in delivering a diverse programme of archaeological fieldwork across Surrey. Working alongside the Archaeological Operations Manager, you will organise and undertake a range of investigations, including watching briefs, evaluations, excavations and post-excavation analysis, helping to protect and enhance the county's historic environment.

This varied role combines hands-on site work with office-based analysis, reporting and project support. You'll be responsible for producing accurate archaeological records, reports and recommendations, ensuring projects are delivered to professional standards and within agreed timescales.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with archaeological fieldwork experience who enjoys working collaboratively and sharing knowledge. You'll engage with colleagues, communities and stakeholders across Surrey, contributing to public engagement and outreach activities that help bring archaeological discoveries to life for a wide range of audiences.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• Relevant qualification or training in Archaeology, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience of archaeological fieldwork, including excavations, evaluations and watching briefs.
• Knowledge of archaeological fieldwork methods and practice, with a good understanding of archaeology, history and prehistory.
• Experience of post-excavation processes and archaeological report writing, including producing accurate records and recommendations.
• Strong organisational, communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work independently, supervise fieldwork activities and travel across Surrey.
• A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is a requirement of the role.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

1. Please describe your experience of archaeological fieldwork. Include examples of the types of projects you have worked on (e.g. excavations, evaluations, watching briefs), your role within the project, and the techniques and methodologies you used.
2. Provide an example of an archaeological project where you were responsible for recording findings and/or producing a report. What approach did you take to ensure accuracy and quality, and what was the outcome?
3. Tell us about a time when you had to manage competing priorities or work to challenging timescales. How did you organise your workload, and what was the result?
4. Describe a situation where you worked collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, contractors or members of the public. What was your role, how did you communicate effectively, and what did you achieve together?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Wayne Weller by email:

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 15/11/2026 with interviews planned for 20^th and 23^rd of November 2026.

Please note that the successful applicant must be available to commence employment on or before 31st January 2027.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is West Surrey Council subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year. Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council .

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

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