Marine Archaeologist

WSP in Canada; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Canada is seeking an Intermediate Archaeologist with marine/underwater archaeology experience to join the Heritage team in British Columbia. The role involves leading terrestrial and marine investigations across terrestrial, intertidal, and underwater sites, collaborating with Indigenous communities and multidisciplinary teams.

You will contribute to projects on infrastructure, coastal development, and environmental assessment, while developing field programs, reports, and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Archaeology/Anthropology or related field.
• Master's degree in Archaeology/Maritime Studies or related field is asset.
• Experience in marine, intertidal, coastal, underwater and terrestrial projects.
• Knowledge of BC Heritage Conservation Act and permitting processes; international guidelines asset.
• Field Director status in BC or progress toward qualifications is asset.
• Knowledge of submerged landscapes, maritime heritage and shipwreck archaeology.
• Experience interpreting marine geophysical data; GIS and field data tools.
• Strong writing, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and health/safety commitment.
• Driver's license and willingness to travel throughout BC (remote locations included).

Responsibilities

• Lead and support terrestrial field programs including overviews, impact assessments, monitoring, excavation and mitigation.
• Participate in marine, intertidal, and underwater investigations with data analysis for submerged resources.
• Assist planning and execution of marine archaeological surveys using remote sensing and field methods.
• Collaborate with senior underwater archaeologists to develop field programs and regulatory documentation.
• Partner with Indigenous communities, clients, regulators and multidisciplinary teams throughout project delivery.
• Support project management activities including scope, scheduling, budgeting, logistics and health and safety.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to knowledge sharing and growth of the Heritage team.
• Identify innovative approaches to improve project outcomes while protecting heritage values.

Skills

Technical writing

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Collaboration

GIS

Marine survey technologies

Field data collection tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology

Master's degree (asset)

Tools

GIS

Remote-sensing technologies

Job description

Job Description

What if you could redefine what's possible? With us, you can.With us, you can. You want

Job Description What if you could redefine what's possible? With us, you can.With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it. We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers. With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions. We are pathfinders and impact makers. We are Visioneers. We are WSP. The Opportunity Explore Limitless Possibilities - WSP has an exciting opportunity for an Intermediate Archaeologist with marine/underwater archaeology experience to join our Heritage team in British Columbia. This position offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of terrestrial, intertidal, and underwater archaeological projects, supporting infrastructure, transportation, marine remediation, coastal development, and environmental assessment initiatives. Terrestrial archaeological projects may be located throughout British Columbia, while marine archaeological projects may be located across Canada and international locations. As an Intermediate Archaeologist, you will work closely with multidisciplinary project teams and Indigenous communities to deliver high-quality archaeological services while contributing to the growth of WSP's marine heritage practice, which includes working with colleagues located across Canada and overseas. The successful candidate will participate in and help manage projects involving submerged cultural landscapes, intertidal archaeology, shipwrecks, historical waterfronts, and traditional Indigenous marine-use areas, in addition to a range of terrestrial archaeological projects. This role may be based in any WSP office in British Columbia, with preference given to Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, or other coastal locations.

• Lead and support terrestrial archaeological field programs, including archaeological overviews, impact assessments, monitoring, excavation, and mitigation projects, while building toward professional qualifications such as Field Director and permit-holding status in British Columbia or Qualified Marine Archaeologist status in the US.
• Participate in marine, intertidal, and underwater archaeological investigations, including research and analysis of historical, oceanographic, geological, and archaeological data relevant to submerged cultural resources and waterfront developments.
• Assist with the planning and execution of marine archaeological surveys using remote-sensing technologies and other specialized field methods.
• Collaborate with WSP's Senior Underwater Archaeologists to develop field programs, undertake fieldwork, conduct desktop analyses, and prepare archaeological reports, permit applications, site records, technical memoranda, and regulatory documentation.
• Partner with Indigenous communities, clients, regulators, and multidisciplinary project teams throughout all phases of project delivery, including working closely with engineers, biologists, environmental scientists, and coastal specialists.
• Support project management activities including scope development, scheduling, budgeting, logistics, quality management, project documentation, and health and safety planning and implementation.
• Mentor junior archaeological staff and contribute to knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and the continued growth of WSP's Heritage team.
• Identify and implement innovative approaches that improve project outcomes while protecting archaeological and cultural heritage values.

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related discipline; Master's degree in Archaeology, Maritime Studies, Anthropology, or a related field is an asset.
• Professional archaeological consulting experience at an intermediate level, with experience supporting marine, intertidal, coastal, underwater, and terrestrial archaeological projects.
• Working knowledge of the BC Heritage Conservation Act, associated permitting processes, and federal/provincial legislation related to underwater cultural heritage resources; familiarity with international guidelines is an asset.
• Field Director status in a BC cultural area, or active progression toward Field Director qualifications, is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of submerged cultural landscapes, maritime heritage resources, shipwreck archaeology, coastal Indigenous archaeology, and pre-Contact archaeological resources in British Columbia.
• Experience interpreting marine geophysical data and familiarity with marine survey technologies, GIS, and archaeological field data collection tools.
• Understanding of underwater site formation processes, historical research methods related to shipwrecks and industrial shoreline developments; scientific or commercial diving certifications and vessel-based experience are considered assets.
• Strong technical writing, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, communication, and collaboration skills, combined with a commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship, respectful engagement with Indigenous communities.
• Valid Class 5 Driver's License with willingness to travel throughout British Columbia, including remote coastal locations.

• We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. The brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe call WSP home.
• Proudly Canadian - we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds - your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it's across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition - because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance - we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

#WeAreWSP

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $80,800 - $107,000

MB & ON: $$73,700 - $101,500

NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $73,000 - $96,900

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.

Ready to Shape the Future?

Join WSP's Heritage team and help deliver innovative archaeological solutions across British Columbia, Canada, and beyond. Work alongside leading terrestrial and marine archaeologists on projects involving submerged cultural landscapes, marine infrastructure, Indigenous heritage stewardship, coastal adaptation, and environmental assessment. If you are passionate about advancing archaeological knowledge while contributing to meaningful projects that support communities, clients, and Indigenous Nations, we encourage you to apply.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note:

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here .

Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here .