Cultural Resources - GIS Team Lead

Kleinfelder; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Kleinfelder is seeking a senior GIS professional to lead geospatial strategy, data management, and GIS production for cultural resources projects across the western United States. The role combines technical leadership with project oversight, mentoring staff, and advancing GIS capabilities within the Central Division.

The successful candidate will collaborate with project managers, PIs, environmental planners, and clients to deliver innovative geospatial solutions, enhance data quality, and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in GIS or related field; 15+ years of GIS and project management experience.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary GIS projects and teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to support proposals and client coordination.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and Enterprise GIS environments.
• Experience designing and managing enterprise geodatabases; advanced spatial analysis and cartographic production.

Responsibilities

• Serve as GIS technical lead for the Central Division Cultural Resources Program.
• Manage geospatial support for cultural resources, environmental planning, renewable energy, transportation, and utility projects.
• Develop and maintain enterprise geodatabases and GIS data management systems.
• Design and implement ArcGIS workflows across Pro, Online, Enterprise, and Field Maps.
• Perform advanced spatial analysis to support environmental and cultural resource compliance.
• Produce high-quality maps, exhibits, and agency submittals.
• Mentor staff and support business development and proposals.
• Evaluate emerging GIS technologies and AI-assisted workflows.

Skills

GIS leadership

Project management

Advanced spatial analysis

Technical writing

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Master’s degree or higher

PhD-level education

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Field Maps

PostgreSQL/PostGIS

Remote sensing

GNSS survey

Photogrammetry

Job description

Job Description

The Central Division Cultural Resources Program is seeking a senior GIS professional to lead geospatial strategy, data management, and GIS production efforts for cultural resources projects throughout the western United States.

The successful candidate will serve as the program's technical GIS lead, supporting archaeological investigations, cultural resource inventories, environmental planning, permitting efforts, construction monitoring, and agency coordination activities. This individual will work closely with project managers, principal investigators, environmental planners, and clients to develop innovative geospatial solutions that improve project delivery and enhance data quality.

This position is intended to function as both a senior technical specialist and project leader capable of managing complex geospatial projects while supporting business development, mentoring staff, and advancing GIS capabilities across the division

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as GIS technical lead for the Central Division Cultural Resources Program.
• Manage geospatial support for cultural resources, environmental planning, renewable energy, transportation, and utility projects.
• Develop and maintain enterprise geodatabases and GIS data management systems.
• Design and implement ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, and ArcGIS Field Maps workflows.
• Perform advanced spatial analysis supporting environmental and cultural resource compliance.
• Produce high-quality cartographic products, maps, exhibits, and agency submittals.
• Manage field data collection applications and support field personnel.
• Provide GIS QA/QC review of project deliverables.
• Support cultural resources permitting and Section 106 compliance efforts through geospatial analysis.
• Develop standardized GIS procedures and best practices.
• Coordinate with clients, regulatory agencies, project managers, and technical teams.
• Provide mentorship and training to cultural resources staff.
• Support proposal preparation, business development efforts, and strategic pursuits.
• Evaluate and implement emerging GIS technologies, automation tools, and AI-assisted geospatial workflows.

Position Requirements

• Master's degree or higher in Anthropology, Geography, GIS, Geospatial Sciences, Archaeology, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible GIS and project management experience.
• Demonstrated expertise with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and Enterprise GIS environments.
• Experience designing and managing enterprise geodatabases.
• Advanced knowledge of spatial analysis, GIS modeling, and cartographic production.
• Experience supporting environmental and cultural resource projects.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Proven project management experience involving budgets, schedules, staffing, and client coordination.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Preferred Skills

• More than 20 years of GIS and geospatial experience supporting cultural resource and environmental projects.
• Experience supporting over 100 energy, transportation, communication, mining, land development, and government projects.
• Expertise with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Field Maps, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, remote sensing, GNSS survey, photogrammetry, and geospatial database management.
• Experience leading GIS production for more than 110 cultural resource projects in a consulting environment.
• Demonstrated success developing and standardizing enterprise GIS workflows and QA/QC processes.
• Experience integrating GIS technologies with cultural resources compliance programs.
• Business development and proposal support experience.
• PhD-level education demonstrating advanced analytical, research, and technical communication skills.
• Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) certification.

Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.

Move Forward with Kleinfelder:

Kleinfelder and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia.Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.

Progress with an Employer that Values You

Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:

Benefits:

Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.

Career Development:

We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.

Equal Opportunity:

Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)