Cultural Resources Professional (TPS3)

State of Washington•King County - Shoreline, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a skilled Transportation Planning Specialist 3 to serve as a Cultural Resources Professional within the Northwest Region Environmental Services Office. This role supports the Region Cultural Resources Lead and ensures WSDOT projects comply with federal, state, and agency requirements. The professional will act as a subject matter expert, independently performing cultural resources evaluations for WSDOT projects statewide, including maintenance activities. This position is crucial for implementing National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 and Executive Order 21-02 responsibilities delegated to WSDOT, as well as supporting compliance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements. Opportunities for archaeological monitoring and fieldwork assistance are also included. The work directly contributes to the responsible stewardship of cultural resources and the delivery of safe, effective transportation projects.

Requirements

Archaeological Knowledge: Knowledge of Pacific Northwest archaeology, cultural history, and ethnography to ensure compliance during both environmental reviews and project construction.
Demonstrated experience conducting archaeological monitoring.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local cultural resources laws and regulations (National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, Executive Order 21-02. etc.).
Experience researching, evaluating, and drawing conclusions from data to assess impacts to cultural resources; support recommendations with facts and analysis; interpret and apply rules, laws, policies, and procedures.
Experience with procedures to conduct archaeological fieldwork, including survey, testing, and recording.
Ability to conduct archival research and to generate information to be compiled into reports and/or plans from sources such as field reviews.
Experience reviewing and producing technical reports per scope and schedule.
Ability to accurately collect, maintain, organize, and clearly report on environmental, transportation, and planning-related data using appropriate tools, systems, and standards.
Ability to calculate basic mathematic functions, such as: areas, percentage, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Ability to perform job functions working in demanding and high stress situations, follow instructions, work independently with minimal supervision, and apply analytical skills to identify issues and propose solutions.
Experience scheduling, tracking, and delivering multiple work assignments simultaneously.
Determining, establishing, and maintaining effective work methods and schedules, keeping within budget, personnel, and equipment constraints.
Build strong working relationships across internal teams, consultants, contractors, and partner agencies to coordinate work activities and schedules.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams; guide and influence people without direct line authority; while also working independently as needed.
Advanced skills in professional communication, specifically in communicating technical information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, virtually, by phone, and in person.
Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) to support documentation, reporting, and communication needs.
Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Takes action to meet the needs of others.
A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrates proficiency in archaeological field methods, research design, and cultural resource analysis through formal training and applied experience in archaeological investigation. Proficiency is evidenced by the ability to conduct systematic pedestrian survey, shovel testing, and excavation; document stratigraphy, features, and artifacts using accepted professional standards; accurately record field data through notes, mapping, photography, and site forms; process, catalog, and analyze artifacts in a laboratory setting; and apply regional typologies and cultural chronologies to interpret findings.
Demonstrates the ability to contribute to cultural resource technical reports and regulatory compliance documentation, while working under appropriate professional supervision and progressively assuming responsibility for field and analytical tasks.
Skills in ArcGIS including basic functions such as the ability to manage simple data sets and generate maps, maintain, and update database systems.
Working familiarity with image processing software such as Photoshop.
40-hour HAZWOPER certification (current with refresher)

Responsibilities

Act as technical specialist on cultural resources projects and supports the Region Cultural Resources Lead in carrying out compliance responsibilities delegated to WSDOT by the FHWA and as required by federal, state, and agency regulations.
Research site records and surveys at Dept. of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP).
Record and evaluate cultural resources for regulatory compliance requirements.
Identifies potential innovations associated with cultural resources requirements and potential barriers to project delivery in design and construction, and works with project teams, NWR Environmental and HQ ESO to implement solutions.
Complete cultural resources identification tasks including cataloging of analyzed artifacts and authoring archaeological site forms, or other recordation tasks.
Determine Areas of Potential Effect and the need for in-depth archaeological and/or historical of studies for concurrence from the NWR Cultural Resources Specialist, DAHP, Tribes and other consulting parties by reviewing environmental documents and transportation facility designs for cultural resources management issues.
Review cultural resources consultant work products.
Provide archaeological monitoring and fieldwork assistance to project requiring on-site support.
Conduct cultural resources field surveys.