Archaeologist

Title of Position: Archaeologist

Salary:  €72,501- 92,931

 Background

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was set up to deliver and operate safe and efficient light rail and national road networks. TII’s mission is to deliver transport infrastructure and services that contribute to the quality of life of the people of Ireland and support the country’s economic growth.

TII’s ability to deliver and operate light rail and roads networks efficiently is recognised, as evidenced by the portfolio of National Development Plan (NDP) 2021–2030 investments entrusted to TII and its partners to deliver.

Under the NDP there are three areas under the remit of TII which identify key priorities:

1)    Investment in public transport infrastructure to be delivered on behalf of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in line with the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042. This Strategy commits to the undertaking of appraisal, planning and design of Luas network expansion to Bray, Finglas, Lucan and Poolbeg. Importantly, the Plan also sets out a firm commitment to deliver a metro rail system known as MetroLink that will run from Swords to Charlemont, connecting Dublin Airport with the city centre and providing interchanges with other public transport services including Iarnród Eireann at Glasnevin, the DART at Tara Street and Luas at O’Connell Street and Charlemont. TII also delivers light railway infrastructure being planned in other cities: currently TII is working in partnership with the NTA on the planning and design of Cork Light Rail Transit.

2)    Investment in national roads, active travel and Greenway infrastructure will be delivered in accordance with the guiding principles of the Department of Transport, National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland and the Strategy for Future Development of National and Regional Greenways.  The major roads, active travel and Greenways projects to be delivered and funding provisions are set out in the NDP 2021 to 2030. TII also has a new function for the delivery of zero and low emission vehicle infrastructure (ZEVI) under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.

3)    Investment in maintenance and renewal expenditure will need to increase over the lifetime of the NDP to meet the required investment levels for the current transport network and for new projects as they come into service.

TII’s ambitious plans for infrastructural delivery will drive Ireland’s long term economic, environmental, and social progress across all parts of the country over the next decade. The NDP, which is aligned with the delivery of the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF), sets out a roadmap and the level of investment which will underpin the NPF and drive its implementation over the next ten years.

Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Archaeologist, the Archaeologist will work as a member of the Southern Team within TII’s Archaeology and Heritage Section. The Southern Team currently oversees archaeology/cultural heritage on projects in counties Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. Noting that specific team configuration and county/scheme allocations are subject to change and TII priorities.

The primary responsibilities of the role are:

• Fulfil the duties of Project Archaeologist on national road, greenway, active travel and/or public transport schemes (or such other schemes as may be determined by TII/government policy in the future), hereafter ‘relevant schemes’, as assigned by TII in accordance with the Code of Practice for Archaeology, 2017.
• Carrying out the role of Project Archaeologist in accordance with TII policies and guidelines.
• Contribute to the on-going review and development of relevant policy, guidelines and standards by TII’s Archaeology and Heritage Section.
• Advising on the archaeology/cultural heritage implications and associated risks for relevant schemes at all stages (TII Project Management Guidelines (PMG) Phase 0 – 7) and developing strategies/proposals to manage or mitigate them.
• Support the Senior Engineer and their project teams (TII or local authority) in the management of archaeology/cultural heritage on relevant schemes.
• Represent TII on national committees and fora, as required.
• Support TII Divisions in the management and delivery of archaeology/cultural heritage services for relevant schemes.
• Work collaboratively with team members in the Archaeology and Heritage Section, with other TII Divisions, local authority project teams and technical advisors.
• Develop strong and effective relationships with archaeology/cultural heritage consultants.
• Develop strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders, including the National Monuments Service, the National Museum of Ireland, local authority heritage professionals, the Digital Repository of Ireland, staff and researchers in third level institutions.
• Develop and foster effective relationships with relevant stakeholders in the voluntary, community and local education sectors as appropriate.
• Develop and implement strategies for the dissemination of information to the public on archaeology/cultural heritage discoveries associated with relevant schemes, including an appropriate publications strategy.
• Assist in the preparation of responses to questions from elected representatives, the media and members of the public.
• Support TII and project teams in the preparation of materials requested under the Freedom of Information and Access to Environmental Information legislation.
• Report to the TII Senior Archaeologist and Head of Archaeology and Heritage on matters pertaining to the management of the archaeology/cultural heritage on relevant schemes including procurement, budget, programme, staffing, compliance, sustainability and dissemination.
• Preparing and updating estimates of costs of archaeology/cultural heritage services for the project team as part of the preparation and on-going revision of the Total Scheme Budget for the duration of the project.
• Participating as a member of the project team in managing archaeology/cultural heritage services procurement and contracts in accordance with relevant procurement guidelines and standards.
• Participating as a member of the project team in managing all aspects of the archaeology/cultural heritage services during PMG Phases 1 – 7, including the work of archaeology/cultural heritage consultants, overseeing conduct, quality and cost of services.
• Developing a proposed specification and programme for archaeology/cultural heritage services during PMG Phases 2 – 6 in consultation with the project team – including deciding level of archaeology/cultural heritage investigations, timing of same, and preparation of tender documents in partnership with the project team.
• Preparing applications for Ministerial Directions/Ministerial Consents.
• Reviewing and approving method statements for archaeological licences/consents/ registration number applications prepared by archaeology/cultural heritage consultants in accordance with the contract.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with Ministerial Directions, Ministerial Consents and archaeological licenses.
• Working to minimise delays and/or other risks to relevant scheme programmes.
• Providing professional heritage advice in legal processes associated with assigned relevant schemes as the need arises.
• Participating as required in mediations, conciliations and arbitrations where archaeology/cultural heritage services are concerned.
• Direct and oversee the work of Resident Archaeologist(s) as may be required by TII and/or its project partners to assist in the delivery of relevant schemes.
• Create, maintain and update digital data relating to archaeology/cultural heritage for relevant schemes in accordance with best practice and the requirements of TII, its partners and stakeholders.
• Promoting the archaeology/cultural heritage work of TII at relevant fora, locally, nationally and internationally.
• To undertake such tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as appropriate to the grade.

Education & Experience

·       A degree or third level professional qualification (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in Archaeology.

·       Minimum 5 years’ experience in a responsible position managing archaeology/cultural heritage projects.

·       Have satisfactory knowledge of Irish archaeology/cultural heritage, relevant policy and legislation (national, EU and international).

·       Have a satisfactory knowledge and experience of archaeology/cultural heritage, management and practice including survey, remote sensing, archaeological excavation and planning/ development issues at a senior level.

·       Be able to demonstrate significant knowledge and experience of the management of archaeological excavation/post-excavation and dissemination, from inception to completion.

·       Have a high standard of technical training, analytical skills and IT proficiency.

·       Have a strong commitment to quality in the delivery of work.

·       Have good report writing and editorial skills together with an ability to produce high quality analysis.

·       Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to communicate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders at varying levels.

·       Have good analytical skills and a creative approach to problem solving.

·       Have excellent interpersonal skills, ability to manage and lead highly skilled and competent team from a variety of backgrounds, with an ability to lead and motivate others to deliver objectives.

·       Be an effective team player with stakeholder management capabilities as they relate to the responsibilities of this post.

·       Have a strong commitment to public safety and to the safety of those working for TII and on behalf of TII.

·       Fluency in the English language, both written and oral.

·       Currently hold and maintain a full driving licence.

Desirable:

·       Experience of cultural heritage impact assessment processes on large-scale development projects.

·       Experience of the management of archaeology/cultural heritage on large-scale development projects.

·       Eligible to hold an archaeological excavation licence.

·       Experience of the creation and management of digital data and/or proficiency in GIS.

To apply for, or to locate further information on, these posts please visit our website: https://www.tii.ie/careers/

The closing date for applications is Thursday 1^st October at  12pm. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.