Archaeologist III

Kalispel Tribe of Indians; Cusick (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is seeking an Archaeologist III to lead the Cultural Resources Program within the Natural Resources Department. This senior role provides technical leadership, manages complex projects, and supports Tribal cultural values across lands.

Responsibilities include supervising Archaeologist I & II staff, coordinating surveys and compliance reviews, mentoring teams, and representing the Tribe in interagency coordination and consultation efforts.

Qualifications

• Requires M.A./M.S. in archaeology, anthropology, history, CRM, or related field.
• Minimum of five years’ professional experience in cultural resources management or archaeology.
• Minimum six months supervisory experience in an environmental field.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, schedules, and staff.
• Experience leading archaeological surveys, site evaluations, inventories, monitoring, and reports.
• Experience with GPS and GIS; ArcGIS.
• Knowledge of remote sensing; field schools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and oversee archaeological inventories, surveys, and monitoring programs.
• Plan and manage complex cultural resource projects from initiation to completion.
• Serve as Principal Investigator and ensure compliance with tribal, federal, and state laws.
• Direct identification, documentation, evaluation, and preservation of resources.
• Conduct and oversee GIS, ethnographic, archival, and geospatial research.
• Develop and evaluate CRM strategies, monitoring, and stewardship initiatives.
• Prepare and QA final technical work products, reports, and consultation documents.
• Supervise staff and coordinate training, mentoring, and performance reviews.

Skills

Cultural Resources

Project Management

Supervisory Experience

NHPA/NAGPRA knowledge

GIS / GPS

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

M.A./M.S. in archaeology / CRM

Tools

Esri ArcGIS

GPS data collection

Job description

Summary of Functions

• The Archaeologist III is a senior-level professional archaeologist within the Kalispel Tribe's Natural Resources Department's Cultural Resources Program. Under the general direction of the Cultural Resources Program Manager, the position serves as a senior technical specialist, project manager, and lead advisor for archaeological and cultural resource management activities. The Archaeologist III leads complex archaeological investigations, cultural resource compliance efforts, consultation support activities, stewardship initiatives, and historic property management projects throughout Tribal and assigned project lands. The position provides technical leadership and expertise to support the Tribe's long-term cultural resource protection and management objectives.
• The Archaeologist III plans, coordinates, and oversees multiple cultural resource projects simultaneously, including archaeological surveys, monitoring programs, site evaluations, excavations, compliance reviews, research initiatives, grants, and cooperative projects. The position ensures that assigned projects are consistent with Tribal priorities, applicable laws and regulations, professional standards, cooperative agreements, and Tribal cultural values. The Archaeologist III exercises substantial independent judgment in resolving complex cultural resource issues and developing recommendations affecting Tribal interests.
• The Archaeologist III provides senior-level technical review and quality assurance for archaeological reports, management plans, consultation materials, grant deliverables, treatment plans, and other professional work products. The position conducts and oversees archaeological, historical, ethnographic, archival, environmental, and geospatial research and develops recommendations regarding the identification, evaluation, protection, preservation, mitigation, monitoring, conservation, and long-term stewardship of archaeological sites, historic properties, traditional cultural properties, cultural landscapes, and other culturally significant resources.
• The Archaeologist III provides leadership, mentorship, and professional guidance to Archaeologist I and II staff, Archaeology Technicians, interns, volunteers, and seasonal employees. The position represents the Kalispel Tribe in technical meetings, consultation efforts, regulatory reviews, professional forums, and interagency coordination activities and serves as a senior subject matter expert on archaeological and cultural resource matters. While contributing to program planning, policy implementation, budgeting, and strategic initiatives, the Archaeologist III does not maintain primary responsibility for overall program administration, policy development, or organizational leadership functions reserved for higher-level management positions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and oversee archaeological inventories, surveys, monitoring programs, site evaluations, excavations, research studies, and other cultural resource investigations within the adjudicated lands of the Kalispel Tribe and other assigned project areas.
• Plan, organize, and manage complex cultural resource projects from initiation through completion, including project design, staffing, budgeting, scheduling, contracting, implementation, reporting, and quality assurance.
• Serve as Principal Investigator and/or project lead for assigned projects and ensure compliance with applicable Tribal, federal, state, and local cultural resource laws, regulations, permits, agreements, and funding requirements, including NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, NEPA, and related authorities.
• Direct the identification, documentation, evaluation, treatment, protection, preservation, mitigation, and long-term management of archaeological sites, historic properties, traditional cultural properties, cultural landscapes, and other culturally significant resources.
• Conduct and oversee archaeological, historical, ethnographic, archival, environmental, and geospatial research and analysis to support cultural resource management decisions, compliance requirements, and Tribal priorities.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate cultural resource management strategies, monitoring programs, conservation measures, and stewardship initiatives that protect cultural heritage and advance Tribal resource management objectives.
• Prepare, review, approve, and provide final technical quality assurance for archaeological reports, site forms, technical memoranda, treatment plans, consultation documents, grant deliverables, management recommendations, and other professional work products.
• Oversee the collection, management, analysis, security, and long-term maintenance of archaeological records, GIS databases, spatial data, maps, photographs, and cultural resource inventories; direct the application of GIS, GPS, remote sensing, and related technologies in support of cultural resource management activities.
• Coordinate and participate in government-to-government consultation, regulatory review, and interagency coordination efforts; provide technical guidance and recommendations regarding cultural resources affecting Tribal interests.
• Represent the Kalispel Tribe and the Kalispel Natural Resources Department in consultation meetings, public forums, professional conferences, technical workgroups, and other professional and regulatory settings.
• Supervise professional and technical staff, seasonal employees, interns, volunteers, contractors, and consultants; assign work, establish priorities, and evaluate performance.
• Provide training, mentorship, technical guidance, and professional development opportunities to staff.
• Coordinate with Tribal leadership, Tribal departments, governmental agencies, funding partners, consultants, contractors, academic institutions, and stakeholders to advance cultural resource protection and program objectives.
• Exercise a high degree of independent professional judgment in resolving complex cultural resource issues and providing expert recommendations regarding resource evaluation, compliance, protection, mitigation, conservation, and management.
• Assist with the development and implementation of program goals, policies, procedures, priorities, budgets, strategic initiatives, and long-range planning efforts for the Cultural Resources Program.
• Travel to remote field locations by vehicle, off-road vehicle, boat, or on foot to conduct project oversight, site evaluations, monitoring, and other cultural resource management activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the Cultural Resources Program and the preservation, protection, and stewardship of Kalispel Tribal cultural heritage.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Archaeologist III directly supervises Archaeologist I and Archaeologist II. seasonal employees, interns, volunteers, and project-specific contractors as assigned. technical grades on a project-to-project basis. May provide lead direction, training, and work coordination for Archaeologist staff, seasonal employees, interns, volunteers, and archaeological technicians.
• Responsible for assigning work, establishing priorities, reviewing performance, providing training and mentoring, approving project deliverables, and ensuring compliance with applicable program standards and procedures.
• Exercises significant independent judgment in the supervision and coordination of cultural resource projects and personnel under the general direction of the Program Manager or Department Director.
• Archaeologist III works under the general supervision of the Cultural Resources Program Manager with latitude for exercising independent judgment and decision making. Work is reviewed by the Cultural Resources Program Manager through reports, meetings, and one-on-one discussions.

Education & Experience

• A M.A./M.S. degree in archaeology, anthropology, history, cultural resources management, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in cultural resources management, archaeology, or historic preservation.
• Minimum of six (6) months of supervisory experience in an environmental field.
• Meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology.
• Demonstrated experience managing cultural resource projects, budgets, schedules, and technical staff.
• Demonstrated experience leading archaeological surveys, site evaluations, inventories, monitoring, compliance reviews, and technical report preparation.
• Experience with GPS data collection and management
• Experience with Esri ArcGIS.
• Experience supervising field crews, technicians, interns, or volunteers.
• Experience preparing Section 106 compliance documentation and agency consultation materials.
• Knowledge of remote sensing technologies.
• Public education and outreach experience.
• Technical publication experience.
• Experience with habitat types in Northeast Washington or the Idaho Panhandle is preferred.
• Field school is preferred.

Skills & Ability

• Thorough knowledge of archaeological survey, site recording, excavation, monitoring, laboratory analysis, archaeological research methods, site evaluation techniques, artifact analysis, and cultural resource management practices applicable to prehistoric and historic resources.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable Tribal, federal, state, and local cultural resource laws, regulations, agreements, and compliance requirements, including NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, NEPA, and related cultural resource management policies.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of GIS and GPS technologies, ArcGIS or equivalent software, geospatial data collection methods, remote sensing tools, database management systems, mobile data collection platforms, and digital mapping technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, synthesize, interpret, and apply archaeological, historical, ethnographic, environmental, and geospatial data to develop defensible cultural resource management recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate archaeological sites and historic properties and develop recommendations regarding significance, eligibility, treatment, mitigation, monitoring, conservation, and long-term management.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a Principal Investigator and senior technical reviewer for archaeological investigations, cultural resource management projects, compliance reviews, and professional work products.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, review, approve, and provide quality assurance for technical reports, site forms, management recommendations, environmental compliance documentation, grant deliverables, consultation materials, and professional correspondence.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical and non-technical information verbally and in writing through reports, presentations, briefings, consultation materials, and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, prioritize, schedule, and direct complex archaeological investigations, inventories, monitoring efforts, and cultural resource management projects while managing multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Ability to prepare, administer, and monitor project budgets, scopes of work, schedules, contracts, funding deliverables, and project documentation.
• Strong organizational and records management skills, including maintenance of digital records, GIS datasets, databases, photographs, site files, and cultural resource inventories.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise multidisciplinary teams; train, mentor, evaluate, and provide technical guidance to professional and technical staff, interns, students, volunteers, and seasonal employees.
• Ability to lead consultation, regulatory coordination, and interagency collaboration efforts involving Tribal governments, federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, consulting parties, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining effective working relationships with Tribal leadership, governmental agencies, consultants, contractors, academic institutions, funding partners, landowners, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise substantial professional judgment, discretion, and advanced problem-solving skills while managing sensitive cultural resource information, consultation processes, and complex compliance issues.
• Ability to contribute to program planning, policy development, strategic initiatives, budgeting, and long-range cultural resource management objectives.
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and multicultural environments that support Tribal resource management, conservation, restoration, and land stewardship initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and multicultural environments that support Tribal resource management, conservation, restoration, and stewardship of Kalispel cultural resources and heritage.
• Ability to safely conduct fieldwork in remote and rugged environments under varying weather conditions and access project sites by vehicle, boat, off-road vehicle, or on foot.
• Demonstrated understanding of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal cultural values, and the protection, preservation, and stewardship of Kalispel cultural resources and heritage.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be eligible for coverage under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance.
• Must submit all applicable education transcripts.
• Must be willing to travel for work projects, meetings, training, and conferences as necessary.
• Must be willing to work extended hours, long days, weekends, and variable schedules as work dictates.
• Maintaining physical standards for wildland fire qualifications is desired but not mandatory.
• Must be able to effectively operate off road vehicles and outboard motorboat.
• Provide two written examples of prior publications or technical inventory reports.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made in accordance with applicable law.

• Must be in good physical condition and able to work and hike in inclement weather and over variable, rugged terrain.
• Outdoor work may involve exposure to wild animals, bees, insects, disease concerns, and other natural hazards.
• Indoor work may require extended periods of sedentary work, meetings, reporting, data entry, and computer use.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position.

• Work is performed in both office and field environments for Natural Resources operations.
• Field conditions include inclement weather, variable and rugged terrain, and potential natural hazards.
• Work may require operation of specialized equipment, such as snow machines or tractors, as applicable to assigned projects.

Travel Requirements

• Travel is required for work projects, meetings, training, conference participation, regional field work, and occasional overnight stays as necessary.

Hiring Preference

• The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with federal law, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians applies Indian preference in employment. It is the policy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to give preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Kalispel Tribal Members; 2) Descendants or spouses of an enrolled Kalispel Tribal Member; 3) enrolled members of other Indian Tribes; 4) all other applicants.

General Sign-off & Disclaimers

• The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies.
• At-Will Employment: Employment with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians is at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, either at the option of the employee or the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.
• Drug Testing: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is a drug free workplace. All applicants are subject to drug testing at the time of hire and at unannounced times during employment.
• Background Investigation: All candidates and employees may be subject to a background investigation.
• Conflict of Interest: All employees shall refrain from any private business or activity that may cause personal interests to conflict with or affect the impartial discharge of duties to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Each employee must demonstrate personal integrity and serve and represent the Kalispel Tribe in a professional manner.
• The duties and responsibilities described in this job description are intended to represent the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required.
• Responsibilities may be modified, expanded, or reassigned based on business needs, organizational changes, regulatory requirements, or direction from leadership.

Disclaimer: Certain Licenses and Certification requirements can be obtained once hired.