Principal Consultant, Archaeologist

ERM

. Serve as a senior archaeological leader supporting cultural resources projects throughout the United States .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $110,600 - $144,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in archaeological leadership, project management, and regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on client relationship development and team mentorship. Proficient in overseeing cultural resources projects and ensuring technical excellence across multidisciplinary teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA)BLM Principal Investigator QualificationsCultural Resources Use PermitsTechnical Report Authoring and ReviewMultidisciplinary Team Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Archaeological Project OversightField InvestigationsQuality Assurance and Quality ControlCultural Resources Treatment PlansNEPA DocumentationInventory and SurveyData RecoveryBusiness DevelopmentClient Relationship ManagementRegulatory Compliance

Soft Skills

MentoringTeam LeadershipClient CommunicationCollaborationProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

Total StationGPSArcGIS FieldMapsSurvey123Mapping Equipment

Certifications & Qualifications

Graduate Degree in Anthropology or ArchaeologySecretary of the Interior Qualification

Industry Keywords

Cultural Resources ConsultingRegulatory AgenciesEnergy and Infrastructure ProjectsCapital ProjectsEnvironmental Planning

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

RPA

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a senior archaeological leader supporting cultural resources projects throughout the United States
Drive quality, consistency, and technical excellence across archaeological investigations and regulatory deliverables
Mentor and develop archaeologists while supporting team growth and succession planning
Strengthen existing client relationships and cultivate new business opportunities
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions for energy and infrastructure clients
Serve as a permitted BLM Principal Investigator
Obtain BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits and other federal and state permits
Provide technical quality assurance and quality control review of deliverables
Oversee desktop studies and field investigations, including reconnaissance surveys, pedestrian surveys, testing, excavations, and construction monitoring
Lead, supervise, and manage archaeologists, including hiring, mentoring, training, and engagement
Coordinate with Cultural Resources Business Unit Leads, the Consulting Director for Archaeology, Area Managers, and Managing Partners
Serve as signing Principal Investigator and/or Task Manager for cultural resources studies on major capital projects
Ensure projects meet scope, budget, schedule, safety, and quality expectations
Support multi-state linear infrastructure developments and site-specific assignments
Expand ERM's cultural resources consulting market profile and share through technical excellence and business development
Partner with Managing Partners to deepen client relationships, develop opportunities, and drive revenue growth
Identify cross-selling opportunities for cultural resources services
Collaborate with environmental planners, biologists, wetland specialists, GIS professionals, engineers, and other experts
Represent ERM in communications and meetings with clients, teaming partners, subcontractors, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies
Identify subcontractor needs and manage subcontractor quality, performance, and scheduling

Requirements

What you’ll need

Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or closely related field of study, or equivalent experience
6–8 years of related paid experience
Secretary of the Interior-qualified archaeologist listed as a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), with skills and experience meeting or exceeding SHPO requirements
Demonstrated field experience and principal-level oversight for archaeological projects, including inventory, survey, testing, and/or data recovery
Experience as primary author and/or third-party reviewer of agency-reviewed technical reports, including Class I and Class III technical reports, NEPA document sections, Cultural Resources Treatment Plans, and related regulatory documentation
Experience interacting with regulatory agency personnel as a consultant representing client interests
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
Ability and willingness to occasionally travel to field sites
Experience with mapping equipment and specialized field technologies, such as total station, GPS, ArcGIS FieldMaps, and Survey123
Valid driver's license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle
BLM Principal Investigator qualifications preferred
Experience obtaining BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits and other applicable federal and state permits preferred
Experience managing large capital-project cultural resource programs and multidisciplinary teams preferred
Experience supporting business development and client relationship management in cultural resources consulting preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays)
Parental leave
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Disability insurance
AD&D insurance
401(k)
Potential bonus pay subject to ERM's discretion and policies