Hybrid Senior Archaeologist & Principal Investigator

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Senior Archaeologist - Principal Investigator to lead and grow a New Mexico/Four Corners program, based in Albuquerque with hybrid work options. The role focuses on guiding a developing team, delivering complex projects, and ensuring Section 106 compliance.

The successful candidate will mentor staff, manage client relationships, and advance technical excellence across archaeology, NHPA, and NEPA while expanding SWCA's regional footprint.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology.
• Eight years of relevant cultural resources experience, including fieldwork, consulting, QC, primary report authorship, and developing scopes of work through all project stages.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology and/or architectural history.
• Strong knowledge of Southwest U.S. archaeology and leading archaeological projects in this geography.
• Experience preparing NEPA documents to support Section 106 consultation for federal agencies.
• Advanced skills in specialty scientific areas (e.g., lithic, ceramic, or faunal analysis; osteology; historical archaeology).
• Proven experience supervising, mentoring, and leading cultural resources professionals.

Responsibilities

• Direct cultural resources field research, data collection, inventory, analysis, survey planning, and final report production.
• Serve as the primary author and subject-matter expert for major technical reports, research designs, treatment plans, and related cultural resources documents.
• Manage project financial performance and ensure profitability and other metrics.
• Directly supervise cultural resources personnel and support their professional growth.
• Assign staff to projects based on requirements, qualifications, and development opportunities.
• Support recruitment and hiring in partnership with senior leaders and Talent Acquisition.
• Implement SWCA safety programs and develop project- or service-specific procedures.
• Expand SWCA's state and regional client base and revenue in archaeology and related services.
• Identify and manage prospects and proposals; prepare technical proposals and pricing.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Team supervision

Section 106

NEPA compliance

Cultural resources

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology

Job description

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Senior Archaeologist - Principal Investigator to lead and grow a New Mexico/Four Corners program, based in Albuquerque with hybrid work options. The role focuses on guiding a developing team, delivering complex projects, and ensuring Section 106 compliance.

The successful candidate will mentor staff, manage client relationships, and advance technical excellence across archaeology, NHPA, and NEPA while expanding SWCA's regional footprint.