On-Call Archaeologist

Jacobs; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an on-call Archaeologist based in Bellevue, Washington, to support cultural resources for planning, engineering, and construction across energy, government, and transportation sectors. You will conduct archaeological survey, testing, data recovery, and construction monitoring, with fieldwork in the Pacific Northwest.

Work under senior staff, travel to remote sites, and contribute to reports and compliance with NHPA, ARPA, NEPA, and NAGPRA.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Anthropology with archaeology emphasis.
• Completion of an archaeological field school.
• Knowledge of computers and GPS data collection.
• Ability to travel to remote areas for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Conduct archaeological survey, testing, evaluation, data recovery, and monitoring.
• Analyze archaeological materials and maintain field notes.
• Prepare site records and contribute sections to technical reports.
• Perform historical/archival research and report writing.
• Work outdoors in remote locations and rugged terrain.

Skills

Field archaeology

Pacific Northwest experience

Communication skills

GPS data collection

Travel flexibility

Education

BA/BS Anthropology (Archaeology)

MA in Anthropology (Archaeology)

Tools

GPS equipment

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 Environmental Science and Planning group seeks an on-call Archaeologist with experience in the US Pacific Northwest to be based in our Bellevue, Washington office. Depending on the candidate’s performance and project backlog, this on-call position could potentially turn into a permanent role at Jacobs.

This position involves providing cultural resources support for planning, engineering, and construction services to energy, government, military, transportation, and commercial clients. In this role you'll tackle archaeological survey, testing, evaluation, data recovery, and construction monitoring, as well as other tasks as assigned. You'll analyze archaeological materials, keep detailed field notes, prepare archaeological site records, conduct historical and archival research, and contribute sections to technical reports. You'll work outdoors in remote locations and for extended periods under all weather conditions, often traversing rugged terrain.

The Archaeologist career path provides the opportunity to work on projects that require compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Native American Graves Repatriation and Protection Act (NAGPRA), and state regulations. You'll be expected to work for clients in both the public and private sectors, including multiple projects at a time. All work will be conducted under the guidance of senior 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
• Knowledge of computers and GPS data collection equipment
• 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 (potentially 8-10 miles a day in ideal conditions), excavate shovel test probes (typically 8 or more a day in ideal conditions) 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
• Experience in the Pacific Northwest
• Field experience in archaeological survey and excavation

Ideally, you'll also have

• M.A./M.S. Degree or higher in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology
• Additional experience in historical archaeology, lithic analysis, faunal analysis, ethnography or GIS
• Archaeological monitoring experience
• Experience in the Western United States, including the Pacific Northwest, the Great Basin Region, California, Alaska, and/or Hawaii

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 a 401(k) plan, as well as legally mandated benefits.

The base salary range for this position is $58,656.00 to $101,700.00; though will be paid hourly based on hours worked. 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 August 03, 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.