Archaeologist (Cultural Resource Specialist)

Environmental Science Associates•San Diego, CA

18h•$85,476 - $106,846•Hybrid

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is hiring a mid-level Archaeologist to manage projects within its Southern California Cultural Resources Group. This full-time, exempt hybrid role supports a range of regional projects alongside interdisciplinary teams in areas including Water, Energy, Community Development, Transportation, and Airports. The position requires working in an ESA Southern California office 1–2 days per week; eligible offices are Irvine, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, and Santa Barbara. Fieldwork may be required up to one week per month. The Archaeologist independently manages and conducts archaeological assessments and surveys, leads archaeological work on multidisciplinary projects, and prepares technical reports and CEQA documentation. Responsibilities include archival research, developing historic and cultural contexts, documenting and evaluating resources, analyzing impacts, and preparing mitigation. The role also involves project management, client and agency coordination, supervising small project teams, and preparing scopes of work and budgets. The successful candidate will have at least five years of experience conducting archaeological research, surveys, and technical document preparation; a bachelor’s degree or higher in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or a closely related field; and strong field, writing, organizational, and time and budget management skills. Candidates must be able to lead survey crews, collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary teams, and deliver high-quality work within schedule and budget. The work includes outdoor field activities in varied terrain and weather, potentially in remote, rural, or urban environments. Early mornings, late nights, weekends, and long hours may sometimes be required. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required. ESA is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm with 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States. Its California Cultural Resources Team includes archaeologists, geoarchaeological and tribal consultation specialists, architectural historians, historians, and paleontologists. ESA describes its work as supporting environmental stewardship and a sustainable, resilient future, and its team works to help protect and respectfully treat archaeological and tribal cultural resources.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience executing archaeological research, surveys, and technical document preparation.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or a closely related field.
Ability to lead survey crews and produce well-written, technically supported cultural resources documents.
Experience managing archaeological and tribal cultural resources in the context of CEQA.
Experience leading archaeological survey and testing projects and documenting, evaluating, and treating prehistoric and historic-period archaeological resources.
Experience preparing MND and EIR sections and developing mitigation.
Strong understanding of CEQA and some understanding of NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
Clear understanding of project management principles and practices, with responsibility for delivering high-quality work products.
Excellent field, writing, time and budget management, and organizational capabilities.
Agency coordination and client service experience.
Ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time and within budget in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to walk long distances carrying a backpack and lift at least 50 pounds.
Ability to work outdoors in varied weather, uneven ground and steep terrain, vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks, including in remote, rural, and urban settings.
Ability and willingness to work hybrid in a Southern California ESA office 1–2 days per week.
Valid driver’s license with a clean record.
Willingness to work some early mornings, late nights, weekends, and long hours as required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge, interest, and skillset to mentor junior staff members.

Responsibilities

Independently manage and conduct archaeological resource assessments.
Lead archaeological resource surveys.
Lead archaeological work on multidisciplinary projects as part of a larger team.
Manage and conduct archival research and develop historic and cultural contexts.
Conduct archaeological surveys and resource documentation, evaluations, and impact analyses meeting CEQA requirements.
Serve as primary author of archaeological resource assessment reports and MND and EIR sections.
Supervise small project teams.
Participate in and/or lead client meetings.
Prepare draft scopes of work and budgets for small and mid-size projects and selected tasks on large projects.
Communicate with senior staff and teaming partners to support environmental analyses and permit compliance.
Collaborate with architectural historians, paleontologists, and other specialists and incorporate their work products into technical reports.
Perform other ad-hoc tasks as needed.