Principal Technical Consultant, Archaeologist - Portland, OR

ERM • Portland, OR

3d

About The Position

If you're a seasoned Archaeologist ready to shape high‑impact cultural resources work across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, this is your moment. At ERM, you won’t just manage projects—you’ll influence strategy, mentor emerging talent, and guide clients through some of the most meaningful regulatory and cultural landscapes in the region. Join a global consulting firm where your expertise directly drives legacy‑level outcomes. Why This Role Matters As a Principal Technical Consultant, Archaeologist, you play a critical role in ensuring that major capital projects honor cultural heritage and comply with complex federal, state, and local requirements. Your leadership helps clients navigate evolving regulatory environments while maintaining cultural integrity, building community trust, and advancing responsible development across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. What Your Impact Is Lead cultural resources strategy and execution for projects ranging from multi-state linear infrastructure to highly localized site studies. Serve as a senior technical authority—overseeing permit administration, ensuring rigorous QA/QC, and providing expert guidance on NEPA/SEPA and agency consultations. Build and strengthen client relationships that expand ERM’s presence and influence in the Cultural Resources market. Mentor and develop a diverse team of archaeologists, helping shape the next generation of technical leaders. Collaborate across ERM’s multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated, high-quality solutions for clients in the energy sector and beyond.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related field
• 10+ years of paid professional experience.
• Ability to be listed as Principal Investigator on BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits, ARPA permits, and relevant state permits.
• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) with qualifications that meet or exceed WA DAHP, OR SHPO, other regional SHPO standards, and Secretary of the Interior requirements.
• Demonstrated principal-level archaeological experience in the Pacific Northwest and/or Northern Rockies, including inventory, survey, testing, and data recovery.
• Knowledge of the Northwest Coast, Columbian Plateau, Northern Rockies, and Great Basin cultural areas.
• Experience authoring and reviewing agency-reviewed technical reports (Class I/III reports, NEPA/SEPA sections, Cultural Resources Treatment Plans, etc.).
• Experience consulting and coordinating with agency personnel, Tribal representatives, stakeholders, and clients.
• Ability to lead teams of archaeologists and collaborate with multidisciplinary technical specialists.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within WA, OR, ID, MT, and the broader Mountains and Pacific region.
• Proficiency with field and mapping tools (e.g., total station, GPS, ArcGIS FieldMaps, Survey123).
• This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Nice To Haves

• Experience serving as Field Director or Principal Investigator for federal and state permits across the Great Basin and Southwestern U.S.
• Previous laboratory materials processing experience.
• Prior experience supervising teams and direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Permit Administrator/Principal Investigator on BLM, ARPA, and state permits while providing high-level QA/QC for deliverables.
• Lead and manage desktop studies, reconnaissance surveys, pedestrian surveys, testing/excavations, and construction monitoring efforts.
• Oversee the performance and development of mid-level and junior archaeologists, including involvement in hiring, mentoring, and engagement activities.
• Act as primary author or task manager for cultural resources technical studies, ensuring deliverables are on time, within scope, and aligned with client expectations.
• Strengthen ERM’s market presence by leveraging client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and contributing to business development strategies.
• Collaborate with ERM’s environmental planners, biologists, engineers, GIS specialists, and other technical teams to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Represent ERM in meetings and communications with clients, agency counterparts, stakeholders, and teaming partners.
• Identify, coordinate, and manage subcontractors contributing to cultural resources scopes of work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees