Cultural Resource Specialist

Hanson Professional Services Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Performance bonuses

401(k) with matching contribution

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Comprehensive health & well-beingPlans

Financial wellness plans

Work-life balance programs

Job summary

Hanson Professional Services Inc. is seeking a Cultural Resource Specialist to support CRM services for infrastructure, transportation, and development projects.

The role blends fieldwork with research, reporting, and agency coordination to address cultural resource considerations. The candidate will conduct archaeological investigations, prepare technical reports, and assist with compliance activities while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional cultural resource management experience.
• Experience conducting archaeological investigations and preparing technical reports.
• Knowledge of Section 106 review processes and agency coordination.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for field assignments.
• Meets or is approaching the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards.
• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, or a closely related field.
• Registration with the Registry of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Cultural Resource Investigations: conduct Phase I and II investigations and evaluations.
• Regulatory Compliance & Consultation Support: NHPA Section 106, NEPA, ARPA, NAGPRA coordination with agencies and clients.
• Project Coordination: manage assignments within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Research, Reporting & Documentation: archival research and prepare survey reports and assessments.
• Quality & Professional Development: ensure quality, conduct technical reviews, mentor staff.

Skills

Technical writing

Analytical

Communication

Organizational

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology/Historic Preservation or related

Master’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology/Historic Preservation or related

RPA registration or eligibility

Job description

Overview

Hanson Values Integrity | Commitment | Quality | Relationships | Innovation. If you’re looking for a firm that encourages innovative thinking and challenges you every day, with an opportunity to learn and advance, a career at Hanson is right for you. The belief in sustainability within our company’s practices creates a focus on client success and partnerships that are important to our communities and our environment.

Position Summary

The Cultural Resource Specialist provides technical support for cultural resource management (CRM) services associated with infrastructure, transportation, land development, and public and private sector projects. This position conducts cultural resource investigations, supports regulatory compliance efforts, and collaborates with multidisciplinary project teams to identify and address cultural resource considerations. The role combines fieldwork, research, reporting, and agency coordination responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Cultural Resource Investigations: Conduct Phase I and Phase II archaeological investigations and above-ground historic resource evaluations. Apply the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and NRHP criteria in support of resource evaluations. Perform field investigations, data collection, and documentation in accordance with professional, regulatory, and company standards. Assist with field crew coordination and project task implementation, as assigned.
• Regulatory Compliance & Consultation Support: Support compliance activities related to NHPA Section 106, NEPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, and applicable state and local historic preservation regulations. Coordinate with project managers, agencies, SHPOs, THPOs, tribal representatives, and clients as directed. Assist in preparing determinations of eligibility, findings of effect, and supporting documentation for agency review.
• Project Coordination: Manage cultural resource assignments within established project scopes, schedules, and budgets. Identify potential cultural resource constraints and communicate findings to project teams. Coordinate with engineers, planners, environmental scientists, and project managers to support project planning and permitting efforts.
• Research, Reporting & Documentation: Conduct archival, literature, and records research. Prepare cultural resource survey reports, eligibility evaluations, effects assessments, and mitigation documentation. Contribute to Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and other environmental planning documents. Maintain accurate project records and documentation.
• Quality & Professional Development: Ensure work products meet company quality standards and regulatory requirements. Participate in technical reviews of project deliverables. Provide guidance and field support to less experienced staff when appropriate. Maintain awareness of current cultural resource regulations, guidance, and industry practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 3 years of professional cultural resource management experience.
• Experience conducting archaeological investigations and preparing technical reports.
• Working knowledge of Section 106 review processes and agency coordination.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for field assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Meets or is approaching the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards.
• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, or a closely related field.
• Registration with the Registry of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) or eligibility.
• Experience supporting transportation, infrastructure, energy, or land development projects.
• Familiarity with regional cultural resource contexts.
• Experience coordinating fieldwork and supporting project scheduling and budgeting.

Physical and Work Environment

• Ability to participate in field investigations under varying weather and site conditions.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry field equipment (up to 40 pounds).
• Combination of office, remote, and field-based work.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position is $60,000 - $80,000 per year depending on experience and skill set. This is an exempt position.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Performance bonuses
• 401(k) with matching contribution
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Comprehensive health & well-being plans
• Financial wellness plans
• Work-life balance programs

Culture and Equal Opportunity

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies/staffing firms. Resumes are only accepted from recruiters and agency/staffing firms if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position. Hanson is a dynamic, employee-owned consulting firm providing a full range of engineering, scientific and allied services throughout the U.S. With an innovative spirit and a drive to continuously improve, our people go the extra mile to give our clients top-quality results. Those efforts have helped us maintain our status as one of the top firms in the engineering industry. We’re large enough to take on exciting, challenging projects and small enough to know and inspire each other along the way.