WSP

Principal Archaeologist

WSP$132K — $175K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in Archaeology or Anthropology preferred, or undergraduate degree.
  • Over 10 years of consulting archaeology experience required.
  • Registered Professional Consulting Archaeologist (RPCA) with Field Director and Permit Holder status required.
  • Experience with identifying and evaluating various archaeological site types within BC.
  • Strong collaborative history with Indigenous communities and ongoing relationships.
  • Proficiency in GPS data collection and MS Office for reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare and peer-review complex archaeological reports.

Responsibilities

  • Lead archaeological field programs, ensuring compliance with Heritage Conservation Act permits.
  • Secure and support heritage inspection and alteration permits during proposal development.
  • Design and oversee archaeological investigations, analysis, and technical reporting.
  • Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and invoicing for successful project delivery.
  • Collaborate with Indigenous Nations, clients, and regulators for sound project outcomes.
  • Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities for inclusive project delivery.
  • Participate in business development, supporting proposals and client meetings.
  • Supervise and mentor junior staff and Indigenous workers, ensuring team development.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work with a province-wide Heritage team on significant cultural projects.
  • Engagement with Indigenous communities to promote mutual respect and understanding.
  • Role encourages professional growth through mentorship of junior and Indigenous staff.
  • A strong commitment to health and safety, enhancing workplace security and culture.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Opportunity

Your Impact Starts Here - This is an exciting opportunity to join our Heritage team in British Columbia as a Principal Archaeologist, where you'll guide and manage heritage projects and business opportunities across the province. You'll collaborate closely with our province-wide Heritage team to deliver meaningful work that protects cultural heritage while supporting impactful development. The successful candidate will ideally be based in one of our offices within the Lower Mainland of BC.

Your Impact
  • Lead archaeological field programs while ensuring full compliance with Heritage Conservation Act permits.
  • Secure heritage inspection, investigation, and alteration permits and support proposal development.
  • Design, lead, and oversee archaeological field investigations, analysis programs, and high-quality technical reporting.
  • Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and invoicing to achieve successful delivery.
  • Collaborate with Indigenous Nations, clients, and regulators to support respectful, technically sound project outcomes.
  • Build and maintain meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and support inclusive project delivery approaches.
  • Participate in business development, including supporting proposals and meeting with existing and prospective clients.
  • Supervise and mentor junior and intermediate staff and Indigenous workers.
  • Demonstrate a strong "Safety First" commitment by actively contributing to WSP's Health & Safety program.

The Skills That Set You Apart
  • A graduate degree in Archaeology or Anthropology, or an undergraduate degree
  • 10+ years of relevant consulting archaeology experience.
  • Registered Professional Consulting Archaeologist (RPCA) in good standing, with Field Director and Permit Holder status in at least one BC Culture Area (Northwest Coast Culture Area considered an asset).
  • Demonstrated experience identifying, recording, and evaluating a wide range of archaeological site types in British Columbia, in terrestrial and/or coastal settings.
  • Strong history of collaborative work with Indigenous communities, ideally with demonstrated ongoing relationships.
  • Proficiency with GPS data collection tools, handheld tablets, and MS Office for analysis and reporting.
  • Proven ability to prepare and/or peer-review complex archaeological reports and technical documents.
  • Leadership aptitude with experience supervising field crews and mentoring developing professionals and Indigenous workers.
  • A valid Class 5 driver's license; ATV/UTV and First Aid training considered assets.

Compensation
  • AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $132,700 - $175,800
  • MB & ON: $121,100 - $166,700
  • NB, NL, NS, PEI & QC: $119,900 - $159,200

Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Make Your Mark with WSP

If you're driven by purpose and impact and want to help protect BC's cultural heritage while supporting meaningful development, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and take the next step in your archaeology career with a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and community.

About WSP

WSP is a Canadian engineering consulting firm that provides services to transform the built environment and restore the natural environment. The firm's expertise ranges from environmental remediation and urban planning, to engineering iconic buildings and designing sustainable transport networks, to developing the energy sources of the future and enabling new ways of extracting essential resources. It has approximately 54,000 employees, including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors, program and construction management professionals, and various environmental experts. WSP has offices in more than 40 countries and territories around the world.
Learn more about WSP
Size
54,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1959

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