Lead Project Archaeologist - West Field & Reports

Socket.dev; Tualatin (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AKS is seeking a Project Archaeologist to lead field crews and deliver high‑quality cultural resources services across the western United States. The role emphasizes regulatory expertise, project management, and strong client service.

You will coordinate with agencies, Tribal representatives, and multidisciplinary teams while advancing archaeological investigations from desktop reviews through fieldwork and reporting. This is a Pacific Northwest‑based opportunity with travel across the West.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology and/or History or related field.
• CRM experience directing archaeological investigations and producing agency‑ready technical documentation.
• Strong knowledge of NHPA Section 106, NEPA, SEPA, CEQA, and applicable federal/state requirements.
• Strong archaeological field, artifact identification/analysis, research, and technical writing skills.
• Experience supervising field crews and independently making sound field decisions.
• Meeting and exceeding productivity goals and KPIs; managing competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the western U.S.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate field vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and document archaeological investigations (surveys, testing, monitoring, data recovery).
• Direct field crews ensuring safe, efficient, and standards‑compliant fieldwork.
• Identify and analyze archaeological materials; synthesize diverse data sources.
• Prepare reports, site records, designs, treatments, and eligibility evaluations.
• Apply NHPA 106, NEPA, and related laws to real‑world projects.
• Coordinate with agencies, tribes, landowners, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, and deliverables; flag issues early.
• Support proposals, scopes of work, and growth of Cultural Resources practice.
• Travel and perform fieldwork across the West, including remote locations.

Skills

CRM experience

Technical writing

Archaeology field work

Project coordination

Communication skills

Willingness to travel

Driver's license

Education

Graduate degree in archaeology/anthropology

Tools

GIS

GPS data collection

Archaeological databases

Digital field methods

Job description

AKS is seeking a Project Archaeologist to lead field crews and deliver high‑quality cultural resources services across the western United States. The role emphasizes regulatory expertise, project management, and strong client service.

You will coordinate with agencies, Tribal representatives, and multidisciplinary teams while advancing archaeological investigations from desktop reviews through fieldwork and reporting. This is a Pacific Northwest‑based opportunity with travel across the West.