Consultant, Field Lead Archaeologist

ERM • Walnut Creek, CA

4d

About The Position

ERM is hiring a full-time, salaried Consultant, Field Lead Archaeologist to lead and contribute to cultural resource investigations and regulatory analysis across the Southwestern United States. The role supports responsible development and environmental decision-making by identifying and protecting culturally and historically significant resources, helping clients navigate regulatory frameworks, and informing project planning. Candidates in Arizona and/or California will be considered. The work combines field and office activities in a project-driven consulting environment. Fieldwork may account for up to 75% of the time during peak field season; the remaining time is spent on desktop and organizational work. The position requires frequent travel to field sites and client locations in the United States and is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

The archaeologist will conduct Class I, II, and III investigations; support compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and National Register of Historic Places eligibility evaluations; prepare technical reports and environmental documents; and collaborate with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams. The role also contributes to project planning and logistics, regulatory permitting and compliance, and the growth of ERM’s cultural heritage services.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2–3 years of professional experience; 4 or more years preferred.
• Demonstrated experience as a Field Lead in the Southwest.
• Eligibility to be listed on BLM, ARPA, and applicable state cultural resource permits.
• Strong knowledge of Arizona federal, state, and local cultural resource regulations, including NHPA Section 106.
• Proven experience authoring or co-authoring agency-reviewed technical reports.
• Ability to lead field efforts independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field sites in the United States.
• Ability to walk up to 10 miles per day over varying terrain and work in adverse conditions, including inclement weather and wildlife encounters.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and excavate shovel tests.
• Experience with field technologies such as GPS, GIS applications, and mapping tools.
• Valid driver’s license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle, with frequent travel to client locations across a large geographic area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Four or more years of professional experience.
• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) designation.
• Knowledge of prehistoric and historic artifact assemblages.
• Experience with historic structures.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to Class I, II, and III archaeological investigations.
• Conduct archaeological surveys, testing, data recovery, and construction monitoring.
• Support compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and evaluate eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.
• Prepare technical report sections for cultural resource investigations and environmental documents, including agency-reviewed reports.
• Perform archival and desktop research to support project analyses.
• Collaborate with regulatory agencies, including SHPO and BLM.
• Support environmental permitting and compliance processes.
• Contribute to project planning, logistics, and execution.
• Partner with planners, biologists, GIS specialists, engineers, and other cross-functional colleagues.
• Represent ERM in client, stakeholder, and agency interactions.
• Contribute to business development and growth in cultural heritage services.
• Strengthen ERM’s cultural resources practice through client engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Benefits

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, and floating holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• AD&D insurance.
• 401(k).
• Other applicable benefits for eligible employees.
• The role may be eligible for discretionary bonus pay, subject to ERM policies and procedures; casual and fixed-term/flex-force employees are not bonus eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level