Lead Archaeologist / Principal Investigator
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About the opportunity
SWCA’s Southern California operation is seeking a Cultural Resources Principal Investigator to support its growing practice. The ideal candidate will assist the Directors, Team Leads, and Project Managers with project coordination and quality control for cultural resource management projects and expand SWCA’s professional reputation in archaeological and historical consulting and research. This is a regular, full-time salaried position and will report to the Technical Director. Salary will be based on individual qualifications and experience. The position will be based out of our Pasadena or San Diego offices but is open to highly qualified candidates who prefer to work from a home office elsewhere in California or adjacent states who are willing to travel for project work. Starting salary for this position is $90,000+ per year.
What you will accomplish
- Serve as primary author on large technical reports, research designs, and other technical documents.
• Conduct content edits of technical reports and site forms.
• Oversee field research, data collection, inventory, analysis, and final report production, ensuring these tasks are conducted in accordance with the QA/QC plan.
• Assist with training and mentoring of staff in topics including NRHP/CRHR eligibility, implementation of research designs, technical reporting, and site recording protocols.
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Comply with SWCA and client safety programs and assist in the development of such programs.
• Maintain good working relationships with state and federal agency contacts and clients.
• Additional project management duties as needed: manage budgets, prepare proposals, interact with clients, and manage staff.
Experience and qualifications for success
- Minimum of a Master’s degree in Archaeology or Anthropology required; Ph.D. preferred
- Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and fieldwork experience required – academic or research-oriented supervisory experience can substitute for a portion of compliance-based experience.
- Must demonstrate completion, at a PI level, of a minimum of one testing or data recovery excavation project (three or more projects a plus) involving primarily archaeological investigations and preparation of final reports consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Projects shall have been performed under the jurisdiction of the National Historic Preservation Act or CEQA
- Emphasis in California archaeology and a current technical specialization (i.e. lithic analysis, historical archaeology, GIS, architectural history, etc.)
- Experience with and thorough knowledge of NEPA, CEQA, and Section 106
- Listed as a Registered Professional Archaeologist (or qualified for RPA status)
- Peer-reviewed publication record and conference presentation experience preferred and will be supported in this role
- Experience with content edits of reports and a solid background of scheduling and budgeting of projects related to cultural resources
- Ability to work independently as well as oversee small or large projects by working closely with Field Directors and Project Managers
- Ability to travel an estimated 10-20% of the time.
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.
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EOE – women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.