Principal Consultant, Archaeologist

ERM

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

Posted 11/5/2026full-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 quality assurance and client relationship development. Proficient in mentoring teams and driving business growth within the cultural resources sector.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA)BLM Principal Investigator QualificationsField Experience in Archaeological ProjectsExperience with ArcGIS FieldMaps and Survey123Business Development in Cultural Resources Consulting

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Archaeological InvestigationsTechnical Report WritingQuality Assurance and Quality ControlInventory and Survey LeadershipData Recovery Efforts

Soft Skills

Team LeadershipClient Relationship ManagementCollaboration with Multidisciplinary TeamsMentoring and Training

Tools & Technologies

Total StationGPSArcGIS FieldMapsSurvey123

Certifications & Qualifications

Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA)Graduate Degree in Anthropology or Archaeology

Industry Keywords

Cultural ResourcesEnvironmental ConsultingRegulatory ComplianceNEPA DocumentationBLM Cultural Resources Use Permits

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 and support team growth and succession planning
Strengthen existing client relationships and cultivate new business opportunities
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver environmental and sustainability consulting 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 across varying experience levels, including hiring, mentoring, training, and engagement initiatives
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 associated with major capital projects
Ensure projects meet scope, budget, schedule, safety, and quality expectations
Support multi-state linear infrastructure projects and smaller site-specific assignments
Expand ERM's profile and market 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
Experience leading inventory, survey, testing, and/or data recovery efforts
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
Preferred: 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

Benefits

Comp & perks

Bonus pay eligibility subject to ERM policies and procedures
Paid time off, including vacation, sick, and floating holidays
Parental leave
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Disability insurance
AD&D insurance
401(k)
Other applicable benefits for eligible employees