Consulting Senior Associate, Archaeology

erm; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Consulting Senior Associate, Archaeologist to join our Cultural Resources Services team in Houston, TX. This role blends fieldwork, research, client engagement, and project leadership to support infrastructure, energy, and development projects across the United States.

You will help clients navigate NHPA Section 106, NEPA, and related regulations while advancing your career within a leading sustainability consultancy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or closely related field.
• 1-2+ years of related professional experience.
• Knowledge of Texas cultural areas.
• Experience with inventory, survey, testing, and data recovery.
• Experience as primary author on agency-reviewed technical reports.
• Strong attention to detail and regulatory interaction.
• Proven business development abilities.
• Willingness to travel frequently.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and writing for NHPA Section 106 and NEPA documents.
• Perform literature reviews, field reconnaissance, surveys, and excavation activities.
• Interact with SHPOs, federal agencies, and online cultural resource databases.
• Lead and supervise staff in office and field environments.
• Support fieldwork and project delivery across multiple sites.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Written communication

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Anthropology/Archaeology or related field

1-2+ years of related experience

Tools

Total Station

GPS

Regulatory mapping software

Job description

Preserve the Past While Shaping the Future of Responsible Development ERM is seeking a highly motivated Consulting Senior Associate, Archaeologist to join our growing Cultural Resources Services team. This full-time, salaried position is based in Houston, Texas . Candidates are preferred possess familiarity with applicable federal, state, and municipal cultural resource regulations and processes.

In this role, you will help clients navigate complex cultural resource and heritage considerations across infrastructure, energy, development, and environmental projects throughout the United States. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams of environmental and permitting professionals, you will contribute technical expertise that supports responsible project development while protecting and preserving cultural and archaeological resources. This position offers the opportunity to blend fieldwork, research, client engagement, and project leadership while advancing your career within one of the world's leading sustainability consultancies.

Why This Role Matters

Cultural heritage resources provide critical connections to our shared history and communities. As development projects continue to expand across North America, identifying, evaluating, and protecting these resources is essential to responsible environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.

As a Consulting Senior Associate, Archaeologist, you will play a key role in helping clients meet cultural resource requirements under NHPA Section 106, NEPA, and other regulatory frameworks. Your work will help balance project development goals with the preservation of cultural heritage, ensuring informed decision-making and sustainable outcomes.

What Your Impact Is

• Support cultural resource compliance efforts for complex public and private sector projects.
• Help clients successfully navigate federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Conduct archaeological research, field investigations, and technical analyses that inform project planning and permitting decisions.
• Lead and mentor staff while contributing to high-quality project delivery.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, agencies, and project stakeholders.
• Support the continued growth of ERM's archaeology and cultural heritage practice through technical excellence and business development activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across ERM to deliver integrated environmental and sustainability solutions.

What You'll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or closely related field of study, or equivalent experience.
• 1-2+ years of related professional experience.
• Knowledge of Texas cultural areas.
• Demonstrated experience completing inventory, survey, testing, and/or data recovery.
• Experience as primary author on agency-reviewed technical reports.
• Strong attention to detail in documentation of work.
• Experience interacting with regulatory agency personnel.
• Excellent communication and computer skills.
• Demonstrated business development abilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be locally available for projects.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel to field sites located both in and out of state.
• Ability to walk long distances (up to ten miles per day) in varying terrain under adverse conditions, including inclement weather and wildlife encounters.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and perform excavation of shovel tests.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Registered Professional Archaeologist.
• Ability to be listed on BLM cultural resources use permits.
• California archaeological field experience.
• Familiarity with relevant federal, state, and municipal regulatory processes.
• Previous experience with mapping equipment and other specialized application equipment (e.g., total station, GPS, etc.).
• Previous laboratory materials processing experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Detail-oriented and resourceful approach to problem solving.
• Positive and energetic attitude.
• Self-motivated with strong initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and writing for cultural resource heritage components of NHPA Section 106, and NEPA documents for projects serving both private and government sector clients.
• Perform literature reviews, field reconnaissance, field surveys, and excavation activities for archaeological studies.
• Interact with State Historic Preservation Offices, federal agencies, and online cultural resource databases.
• Lead and supervise staff in office and field environments.
• Conduct re