Junior Staff Archaeologist - Multiple West Locations

Jacobs; Yakima (WA); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

PPTO for salaried employees

Seven paid holidays

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking staff archaeologists for projects across the western United States. You will provide archaeological support for planning, engineering, and construction, including desktop and field work for government, military, and commercial clients.

The Senior Archaeologist path involves NHPA/NEPA compliance and coordination with regulations. Ideal candidates have field school completion and 2+ years of field experience, with travel ability and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Anthropology with archaeology emphasis and field school completed.
• Minimum two years of professional archaeological field work, incl. construction monitoring.
• Comfort with travel and field conditions; strong report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate compliance with NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, NEPA and state laws.
• Conduct archival research and background records reviews.
• Perform archaeological fieldwork: survey and monitoring.
• Prepare technical cultural resources reports for projects.
• Assess eligibility for NRHP/state historic registers.
• Support senior cultural resources staff on projects.

Skills

NHPA compliance

NEPA knowledge

GPS FieldMaps

Archaeology fieldwork

Strong communication

Travel willingness

Safety mindset

Education

B.A./B.S. in Anthropology (Archaeology emphasis)

Archaeological field school completion

Tools

FieldMaps

Survey123

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is seeking full-time, modified full-time, or part-time staff archaeologists to work on a variety of projects throughout the western United States. Your primary focus will be providing archaeological support and both desktop and field-based cultural resources support for planning, engineering, and construction services to government, military, and commercial clients in various locations. The Senior Archaeologist career path provides the opportunity to work on projects that require compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other federal, state, and local cultural resource regulations.

Our Archaeologists

• Coordinate compliance with NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, NEPA, state environmental regulations, and other laws relating to cultural resources
• Conduct archival research and background records reviews
• Conduct all aspects of archaeological fieldwork (primarily survey and monitoring)
• Conduct analyses and prepare technical reports for projects that involve cultural resources
• Evaluate eligibility of resources for listing in the NRHP and state registers of historic properties
• Provide support to and work with senior-level cultural resources staff

Here’s what you’ll need

• B.A./B.S. Degree or higher in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology
• Completion of an archaeological field school
• Minimum of two years of professional archaeological field work experience with extensive experience completing construction monitoring
• Knowledge of computers and GPS equipment (FieldMaps and Survey 123)
• Ability and willingness to travel to distant or remote areas, and for extended periods as required
• Ability to walk for long periods of time over unfamiliar terrain, excavate shovel tests and test units, screen soil, and carry field equipment
• Ability to work 8 to 10-hour days (or longer if necessary) in a variety of conditions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Organizational and time management skills to effectively complete assigned workload within defined timelines and in accordance with established standards
• Must be motivated and able to work safely with minimum supervision

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience conducting research, literature reviews, and cartographic reviews
• Experience writing compliance reports and completing site forms
• Background in the consulting environment
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and be responsive to both internal and external clients
• HAZWOPER certification

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $60,600.00 to $106,100.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on October 01, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.