On Call Cross Trained Archaeologist/Paleontologist

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. seeks a cross-trained Archaeologist/Paleontologist to monitor construction sites in Southern California. This on-call role suits a Long Beach-area professional with paleontological and archaeological field experience. Fieldwork supports compliance with NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, CEQA, and SVP standards.

The position covers diverse projects in transportation, energy, military, and public infrastructure, with potential relocation across California and a hybrid work policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in geology, earth sciences, and/or biology with an emphasis in paleontology or related field.
• 2+ years of professional paleontological field experience in California.
• Based in or near Long Beach, CA.
• Familiarity with CA regulations for paleontological and cultural resources.

Responsibilities

• Conduct paleontological and archaeological monitoring during ground-disturbing activities.
• Identify, document, and recover fossils and cultural resources in the field.
• Maintain field notes, fossil locality forms, site forms, and monitoring logs.
• Coordinate with project managers, environmental teams, and construction personnel.
• Ensure compliance with NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, CEQA, SVP guidelines, and PRPA and NEPA.

Skills

Field experience

GPS/field mapping

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in geology or biology

Tools

GPS technology

Job description

On Call Cross Trained Archaeologist/Paleontologist

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 a qualifiedcross-trained Paleontological and Archaeological monitor to support a variety of infrastructure and development projects across Southern California. This is anon-call positionideal for a Long Beach-based professional with at least one year of paleontological and archaeological field experience. The role involves fieldwork during construction activities to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local cultural resource regulations.

This position offers the opportunity to work on high-profile projects in sectors such astransportation, renewable energy, military, and public infrastructure, with the potential for additional assignments throughout California.

Key Responsibilities

• Conductpaleontological and archaeological monitoringduring ground-disturbing activities in compliance with project-specific mitigation plans.
• Identify, document, and recover fossils and cultural resources in the field.
• Maintain detailed field notes, fossil locality forms, site forms, and monitoring logs.
• Coordinate with project managers, environmental teams, and construction personnel.
• Ensure compliance with applicable cultural resource laws and guidelines, including:
  • National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
  • Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA)
  • Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) Guidelines
• California Public Resources Code Sections 5097.5 and 30244
• Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA)
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Here’s what you'll need

• Bachelor’s degreein geology, earth sciences, and/or biology with an emphasis in paleontology or closely related course-work (e.g., evolutionary biology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, micropaleontology, comparative anatomy, etc.). Or Anthropology/Archaeology or closely related field who meets the other requirements listed below.
• Experience in field geology and/or paleontology, which should include field mapping, sedimentologic and stratigraphic data collection, fossil collection (ability to jacket large specimens a plus), and contextualize find location (with attention to taphonomy and depositional environment).
• Minimum 2 year of professional paleontological field experience in California.
• Must be based in or near Long Beach, CA.
• Familiarity withCalifornia state regulationsand local agency requirements for paleontological and cultural resources.
• Proficiency inGPS technology, field documentation, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently in remote field conditions for extended hours (8–10 hour days).
• Strong communication, organizational, and observational skills.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Experience conducting literature reviews, geologic mapping, and stratigraphic documentation.
• Familiarity with Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) standards, and SVP membership, or willingness to gain membership.
• Experience contributing to technical reports and fossil recovery documentation.
• Experience working in a consulting or compliance-driven environment.
• Experience conductingarchaeological surveys,shovel testing, andsite documentation.
• Familiarity withSection 106 compliance,site recordation, andartifact analysis.
• Experience contributing totechnical reportsand cultural resource documentation.
• Prior work experience in aconsulting or compliance-driven environment.
• Meets Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology.

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 $34.08 to $46.88; 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.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

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 .