Principal Archaeologist

WSP; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 132,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and consulting firm in Vancouver is seeking a Principal Archaeologist to manage heritage projects across British Columbia. The successful candidate will lead archaeological investigations, ensure compliance with regulations, and build relationships with Indigenous communities. Ideal candidates should have a graduate degree in Archaeology or Anthropology and experience in consultancy. This role offers competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth within an innovative team.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• A valid Class 5 driver’s license is required.
• Registered Professional Consulting Archaeologist in good standing.
• Experience with archaeological investigations in BC.

Responsibilities

• Lead archaeological field programs adhering to Heritage Conservation Act.
• Secure necessary permits for heritage projects.
• Collaborate closely with Indigenous communities and clients.

Skills

Archaeological site identification

GPS data collection

Collaboration with Indigenous communities

Technical report preparation

Mentoring and leadership

Education

Graduate degree in Archaeology or Anthropology

Tools

MS Office

Handheld tablets

Job description

What if you could redefine what’s possible?

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

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 with 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.

Why Choose WSP?

We exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds – your next great idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether across the country or around the globe, we’ll 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: $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.

Job Info

• Job Identification 79749
• Posting Date 02/04/2026, 09:18 PM

About Us

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms. Our purpose is to future proof our cities and environments.

We have over 65,000 team members across the globe. In Canada, our 12,000+ people are involved in everything from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transportation networks, from finding new ways to extract essential resources to developing renewable power sources for the future.

At WSP:

• We value ourpeople and our reputation
• We are locally dedicated with international scale
• We are future focused and challenge the status quo
• We foster collaboration in everything we do
• We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable

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.

Offers of employment for safety-sensitive positions involving fieldwork are contingent upon candidates being able to perform key physical tasks of the job as described in the job posting and interview. This may include the ability to 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.