Amtrak | Lead Archaeologist

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SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Under the direction of the Manager Historic Preservation, the Lead Archaeologist position serves as a subject matter expert regarding historic preservation regulatory compliance for Amtrak’s federally funded, permitted, licensed, or otherwise federally involved projects. This position provides technical expertise to support fulfillment of requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, and its implementing regulations under 36 CFR 800 (Section 106), and related historic preservation regulations, as required for Amtrak’s nationwide capital program and other company initiatives.

This includes facilitating and tracking historic preservation approvals; providing technical support and guidance to Amtrak’s staff and design/technical consultants regarding historic preservation regulatory procedures and consideration of effects to archaeological resources; coordinating directly and functioning as an external point of contact on historic preservation regulatory matters for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), and other external stakeholders; and collaborates with the Amtrak National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff to coordinate historic preservation compliance with NEPA processes. The position will also provide assessments of prior ground disturbance, evaluations of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places and effects under Section 106, access pertinent archaeological data from SHPOs, and manage internal archaeological data to assist with project screening and future planning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluates regulatory pathways and guides Section 106 compliance for projects in Amtrak’s capital program, from screening through construction and post-construction mitigation
• Coordinates directly with Amtrak staff and design consultants to provide procedural direction and technical review of Section 106 analyses and communications, as well as advising architects, engineers, and others on design strategies to avoid or minimize effects to archaeological resources.
• Collaborates and maintains relationships as day-to-day point of contact between Amtrak and the FRA with respect to Section 106 and related compliance for projects
• Serves as Amtrak’s project point of contact for SHPOs related to Section 106 consultation, often but not limited to projects where archaeology is the primary concern
• Works with Amtrak NEPA staff to maintain a comprehensive database of the Section 106 and NEPA status of Amtrak projects, and contributes to development of tools to facilitate related reporting to internal stakeholders and FRA
• Develops and maintains a secure repository of internal archaeological data, and populates Amtrak’s historic property inventory and asset management software with screening-level data to inform project planning
• Manages internal/external consultants on Section 106 and related matters; provides direction to consultants on the unique requirements of Amtrak’s federal regulatory obligations, procedures, application of streamlining tools, expectations for deliverables; and conveys information specific to Amtrak’s historic assets.
• Reviews Section 106 agreement documents to which Amtrak is a signatory or consulting party, develops mitigation stipulations commensurate to project effects, advises Amtrak staff regarding Amtrak’s roles and responsibilities, negotiates with agencies on Amtrak’s behalf, and vets agreements with appropriate internal staff prior to signature
• Serves as Amtrak’s point of contact and subject matter expert pursuant to unanticipated discovery plans, archaeological discoveries during construction, and archaeological mitigation, including coordination with FRA, SHPO, tribes and other consulting parties
• Stays current on changes to Section 106 and related historic preservation regulations as they relate to Amtrak projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related discipline
• Minimum 8 years of relevant Section 106 and other historic preservation regulatory compliance experience
• Exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology (36 CFR Part 61).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication, and relationship building skills, with demonstrated experience closely coordinating with environmental and “above-ground” historic preservation colleagues, project managers, and varied technical disciplines
• Strong organizational skills, including ability to track and remain engaged with multiple projects
• Demonstrated experience providing direction and technical support to internal colleagues and leadership, as well as consultants
• Demonstrated experience working on multiple projects that interface with multiple internal and external departments and stakeholders, with competing schedules and priorities, using a collaborative approach; exemplary time management skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience negotiating/interacting with regulators, tribes, and other consulting parties
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading the Section 106 consultation process for projects of varying types and complexity
• Demonstrated experience preparing and performing technical reviews of Section 106-related correspondence and documents such as Phase 1A/archaeological sensitivity assessments, unanticipated discovery plans (UDP), archaeological monitoring plans, and memoranda of agreement (MOA), and fulfilling archaeological stipulations of MOAs, UDPs, and monitoring plans.
• Experience with both prehistoric- and historical-period archaeological resources, contexts, and field investigations – including artifact identification, analysis, curation, and assessments of National Register eligibility – ideally within Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor region.
• Demonstrated ability to discern prior ground disturbance by means including but not limited to documentary evidence, visual inspection, and archaeological testing
• Comfortable with consideration of “above-ground” requirements of Section 106, such as project screening, identification of potential concerns, and consultation process.
• Familiarity with database or spreadsheet utilization; strong experience with standard PC-based productivity software
• Ability to consider conflicting project constraints and contribute to creative problem-solving in accordance with the regulations to achieve project goals
• Previous project management experience with emphasis on developing and reviewing project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Self-sufficient and able to work independently, prioritize tasks, and work well as part of multiple teams

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• More than 10 years of relevant experience
• Prior experience supporting historic preservation/archaeological aspects of all phases of project development and delivery including planning, scoping, design, and construction in a fast-paced environment with projects ranging in size and complexity
• Familiarity with historic railroad infrastructure
• Working knowledge of GIS software and use for cultural resources data
• Familiarity with the ACHP’s Program Comment to Exempt Consideration of Effects to Rail Properties Within Rail Rights-of-Way, as amended
• Familiarity with USDOT agency NEPA procedures and experience with document preparation and technical review under NEPA, with particular emphasis on cultural resources
• Familiarity with non-USDOT federal agency Section 106 and NEPA procedures that may be relevant to railroad projects, such as the Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Communications Commission nationwide programmatic agreements and Positive Train Control Program Comment.
• Registered Professional Archaeologist

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Amtrak is functionally a weak-matrix organization requiring broad outreach to and coordination with various disciplines and departments.
• Work is office-based with periodic travel to project sites at stations, facilities, or along the railroad right-of-way.
• The preferred candidate would have at least a hybrid in office/remote schedule.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $83,000 – $96,000. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:157519
Posting Location(s):Pennsylvania
Job Family/Function:Engineering
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%

Amtrak employees power our progress through their performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job – we want it to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging and rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, competitive pay, benefits that protect you and your family and a high performance culture that recognizes and values your contributions and helps you reach your career goals.

All positions require pre-employment background check verification, a pre-employment drug screen and proof of full vaccination against COVID -19. Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. Marijuana, notwithstanding any statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use.  Candidates who engage in the usage of marijuana will not be qualified for hire.   Successful applicants for employment with Amtrak must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the date of hire as a condition of employment, subject to requests for accommodation.  Fully vaccinated means 14 days have elapsed since receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 14 days since receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for public transportation ( Title 6 U.S.C. § 1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.

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