SWCA Environmental Consultants

Lead Archaeologist - Principal Investigator

SWCA Environmental Consultants$81K — $106K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology required.
  • At least 8 years of archaeology fieldwork experience, including supervisory roles.
  • In-depth knowledge of NEPA and Section 106 regulations essential.
  • Registered Professional Archaeologist status or eligibility preferred.
  • Experience in content editing and project management, including scheduling and budgeting.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain client relationships to expand business.
  • Lead the authorship of technical reports and research designs.
  • Oversee field research, data collection, and analysis processes.
  • Train and mentor staff on research protocols and technical documentation.
  • Implement problem-solving techniques to improve project efficiency.
  • Collaborate with local and regional teams for effective project delivery.
  • Cultivate relationships with clients and stakeholders for successful outcomes.

Benefits

  • 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) for financial growth.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Access to professional development programs and conference attendance.
  • Support for education reimbursement and publication bonuses.
  • Inclusive and supportive workplace culture with growth opportunities.
Full Job Description
About the opportunity

SWCA’s Gulf Coast operation is seeking a Lead Archaeologist in Houston, TX, to support its expanding practice. As a key member of our team, you will collaborate with Directors, Team Leads, and Project Managers to coordinate projects and ensure high-quality cultural resource management services.

 

As a Lead Archaeologist, you will play a crucial role in managing and overseeing cultural resource projects, serving as the primary author on technical reports, research designs, and other documentation. You will provide guidance and mentorship to staff, ensuring compliance with QA/QC standards and fostering a collaborative team environment. Additionally, you will manage budgets, proposals, client interactions, and staff, demonstrating proficiency in project management and effective delegation.

 

This is a regular, full-time salaried position reporting to our Senior Cultural Resources Director, offering the flexibility of a hybrid work environment out of our Houston, TX or Baton Rouge, LA offices.

 

What you will accomplish
  • Develop and foster client relationships to build business across SWCA's service offerings
  • Lead authorship of technical reports, research designs, and other documentation.
  • Oversight of field research, data collection, analysis, and report production.
  • Training and mentoring of staff in research protocols, technical reporting, and site recording.
  • Problem-solving and process improvement to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Collaboration with local and regional teams to ensure successful project outcomes.
  • Cultivation of strong relationships with agency contacts, clients, and stakeholders.
  • Additional project management duties, including budgeting, proposal preparation, and client management.
  • Demonstrated commitment to scientific integrity and SWCA's Mission, Vision, and Values.
  • Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
Experience and qualifications for success
  • Minimum of a masters degree in Archaeology or Anthropology.
  • Minimum of eight (8) years of archaeology fieldwork experience, with academic or research-oriented supervisory experience considered.
  • Thorough knowledge of NEPA and Section 106 regulations.
  • Registered Professional Archaeologist status or eligibility.
  • Experience with content editing of reports and project scheduling/budgeting.
  • Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with project teams.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. In alignment with this commitment, we post good faith pay ranges in all job postings. An employee in this Houston, TX- based position can expect a salary of $81,545.10 6 $106,289.82/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCAs Total Rewards package(https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

 

We offer a supportive, team-focused work environment, competitive pay, and great benefitsincluding a 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) to help you build a strong financial future. At SWCA, were committed to helping our team members grow into industry leaders. Our award-winning Career Landscape program offers a clear and structured path to meaningful career development. We support your growth through conference attendance, internal and external training, education reimbursement, our Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for qualifying publications. All regular-status employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, life, and disability coverage, as well as access to our Employee Assistance Program. Employees may also participate in SWCAs 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

 

SWCA continues to invest in our people. We value the skills and experience of our internal team members and strongly encourage qualified employees to apply for open positions. We believe in promoting from within whenever possible, offering meaningful opportunities for career growth.

 

Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications immediately and schedule interviews with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until we identify a strong pool of candidates and may close without prior notice. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort of all applicants and will thoughtfully review each submission.

 

If you need assistance accessing SWCAs website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. Were committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

 

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About SWCA Environmental Consultants

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an environmental consulting firm that provides a wide range of services to public and private clients. The company's services include environmental planning, natural and cultural resource management, and regulatory compliance. SWCA Environmental Consultants was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. The company has additional offices throughout the United States.
Learn more about SWCA Environmental Consultants
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Net Income
$10 million
Founded
1981
5 Year Trend
+10%
Revenue
$100 million

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