Managing Technical Consultant, Archaeologist

Environmental Resources Management Southwest, Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Resources Management Southwest, Inc. (ERM) seeks a Managing Technical Consultant, Archaeologist to lead multidisciplinary cultural resources projects across the United States. You will guide teams, engage clients, and shape development with heritage considerations.

You will mentor staff, drive proposals, and coordinate with ERM's national network, ensuring regulatory compliance and high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or closely related field plus 8+ years of paid experience or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain archaeological and cultural resource permits.
• Experience as primary author on agency-reviewed technical reports.
• Strong attention to detail in documentation of work.
• Familiarity with permitting regulations (e.g., FERC, USACE, THC).
• This position requires a valid driver’s license and frequent travel across a large geographic area.

Responsibilities

• Oversee archaeological studies and cultural resource projects from planning through completion.
• Provide technical consulting to grow ERM's archaeology and cultural heritage business.
• Mentor teams and coordinate with other ERM practice areas nationwide.
• Represent ERM with state, federal, and local agencies.
• Manage multiple projects within scope, budget, and schedule while ensuring quality.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Business development

Client engagement

Education

Master's degree in Anthropology or Archaeology

Tools

Microsoft Office Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Lead Complex Cultural Resource Projects That Shape the Future of Development and Conservation

At ERM, we help clients solve today's most complex environmental and sustainability challenges while protecting cultural heritage and preserving the stories that connect communities to place. We are seeking a Managing Technical Consultant, Archaeologist to join our growing Cultural Resources Services team.

In this strategic leadership role, you will oversee multidisciplinary archaeological projects, guide high-performing teams, strengthen client relationships, and help expand ERM's presence in the cultural resources market. If you're a seasoned archaeology professional with strong consulting expertise and a passion for mentoring others, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact across the United States.

Successful candidates must be flexible and responsive to a dynamic consulting environment where project priorities and schedules evolve to meet client needs.

Why This Role Matters

As a Managing Technical Consultant, Archaeologist, you will play a critical role in helping clients navigate complex cultural resource and regulatory requirements while advancing responsible development projects. Your expertise will help preserve important cultural resources, support regulatory compliance, and drive successful project outcomes across a broad range of industries.

This role combines technical leadership, project management, business development, client engagement, and team mentorship. You will influence both project delivery and strategic growth while collaborating with professionals across ERM's global organization.

What Your Impact Is

In this role, you will:

• Lead and oversee archaeological studies and cultural resource projects from planning through completion.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients and regulatory stakeholders.
• Drive business growth by developing new opportunities and strengthening long-term client partnerships.
• Mentor and inspire teams of archaeologists and cultural resource professionals.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary projects that integrate cultural resources considerations into broader environmental and impact assessment programs.
• Help expand ERM's leadership position in the Cultural Resources marketplace through technical excellence and exceptional client service.

What You'll Bring

Required

• Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or closely related field of study plus 8 or more years of related paid experience, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.
• Ability to obtain archaeological and cultural resource permits.
• Demonstrated experience completing inventory, survey, testing, and/or data recovery.
• Experience as primary author on agency-reviewed technical reports.
• Strong attention to detail in documentation of work.
• Proficient in permitting regulations for cultural resources, including, but not limited to FERC, USACE, THC.
• Excellent communication and computer skills.
• Demonstrated business development abilities and the ability to maintain long-term relationships with clients.
• Ability to manage and work within a team as well as independently.
• Limited travel within the United States.
• Well-developed teambuilding and influencing skills; unquestioned integrity; and the experience, confidence, and stature to effectively address client and business needs and challenges.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• Demonstrated regional, high-level consulting experience.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and municipal regulatory processes.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Experience interacting with regulatory agency personnel.
• Previous experience with energy-related projects and undertakings.
• Previous laboratory materials processing experience.
• Previous experience supervising personnel and direct reports.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Detail oriented and resourceful.
• Positive and energetic attitude.
• Self-motivated with strong initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a team performing literature review, field reconnaissance, field surveys, and excavation for archaeological studies and projects.
• Provide technical consulting skills to support the growth of ERM's business and client base in the area of archaeology and cultural heritage.
• Interact with other ERM practice areas to share multi-disciplinary resources and best practices across the country.
• Represent ERM through communications and at meetings with state, federal, and local agencies.
• Communicate regularly with clients via email and phone conferences.
• Oversee and manage subcontractors.
• Assist with preparing proposals to meet client needs.
• Manage multiple projects within scope, budget, and schedule expectations while ensuring quality standards on project deliverables.
• Lead, manage performance, hire and retain, inspire, and mentor personnel for the overall success of the technical team.
• Capitalize on existing ERM client relationships to expand ERM's profile and market share in the Cultural Resource market through a combination of technical excellence and business development.
• Partner with ERM colleagues to deepen relationships with key clients and establish new client relationships that result in significant net revenue growth.
• Participate on teams comprised of impact assessment professionals from multiple offices throughout ERM's global organization.
• Interact with various State Historic Preservation Offices, federal agencies, and online cultural resource databases.
• Lead and supervise staff in an office setting and/or during fieldwork.
• Perform research and prepare technical reports.
• Potentially conduct fieldwork.
• Provide technical assistance to clients throughout the United States while supporting regional project delivery and business development initiatives.

Who We Are:
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world's leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our "boots to boardroom" approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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