Principal Consultant, Archaeologist
About The Position
ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Archaeologist to provide senior archaeological leadership for cultural resources projects throughout the United States. Based out of an ERM US office, the role combines technical expertise, project leadership, team development, client service, and business growth. The successful candidate will help ensure quality and consistency across archaeological investigations and regulatory deliverables, mentor archaeologists, strengthen client relationships, and support multidisciplinary projects, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The position oversees cultural resources studies and fieldwork, serves as a signing Principal Investigator and/or Task Manager for major capital projects, and supports projects ranging from multi-state linear infrastructure developments to site-specific assignments. It involves obtaining permits, reviewing technical deliverables, managing project scope, budget, schedule, safety, quality, teams, and subcontractors, and representing ERM with clients, partners, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies. The role also contributes to business development, cross-selling, and revenue growth. Occasional travel to field sites is required; the position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle because of frequent travel to client locations across a large geographic area.
Requirements
- Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience.
- 6–8 years of related paid experience.
- Secretary of the Interior-qualified archaeologist listed as a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), with skills and experience that meet or exceed SHPO requirements.
- Demonstrated field experience and principal-level oversight of projects, including leading inventory, survey, testing, and/or data recovery efforts.
- Experience as a primary author and/or third-party reviewer of agency-reviewed technical reports, including Class I and Class III technical reports, sections of NEPA documents, Cultural Resources Treatment Plans, and related regulatory documentation.
- Experience interacting with regulatory agency personnel as a consultant representing client interests.
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams of archaeologists and other technical specialists.
- Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to field sites.
- Previous experience with mapping equipment and specialized field technologies such as total station, GPS, ArcGIS FieldMaps, Survey123, or similar applications.
- Valid driver's license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle; the role involves frequent travel to client locations across a large geographic area.
Nice To Haves
- BLM Principal Investigator qualifications.
- Established experience obtaining BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits and other applicable federal and state permits.
- Demonstrated success managing large capital-project cultural resource programs and multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience supporting business development and client relationship management in the cultural resources consulting market.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior archaeological leader supporting cultural resources projects throughout the United States.
- Serve as a permitted BLM Principal Investigator and obtain BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits and other necessary federal and state permits.
- Provide technical quality assurance and quality control review of deliverables prepared by other qualified archaeologists.
- Oversee teams conducting desktop studies and field investigations, including reconnaissance and pedestrian surveys, testing, excavations, and construction monitoring.
- Lead, supervise, and manage archaeologists at varying experience levels, including participating in hiring, mentoring, training, and engagement initiatives.
- Coordinate with Cultural Resources Business Unit Leads, the Consulting Director for Archaeology, Area Managers, and Managing Partners to support team performance and project delivery.
- Serve as signing Principal Investigator and/or Task Manager for cultural resources studies associated with major capital projects.
- Ensure projects are delivered safely and efficiently and meet scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
- Support projects ranging from multi-state linear infrastructure developments to smaller site-specific assignments.
- Expand ERM’s profile and market share in cultural resources consulting through technical excellence and business development activities.
- Partner with Managing Partners to deepen key client relationships, develop new client opportunities, and drive revenue growth.
- Identify and promote opportunities to cross-sell cultural resources services to existing clients.
- Collaborate with environmental planners, biologists, wetland specialists, GIS professionals, engineers, and other multidisciplinary experts.
- Represent ERM in communications and meetings with clients, teaming partners, subcontractors, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
- Identify subcontractor needs and manage subcontractor quality, performance, and scheduling as required.
Benefits
- Paid time off, including vacation, sick, and floating holidays
- Parental leave
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- AD&D insurance
- 401(k)
- Other applicable benefits for eligible employees
- The role may be eligible for bonus pay, subject to ERM's discretion and policies and procedures.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
