Principal Archeologist

LE002 Onterris Payroll, LLC; Colorado; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris seeks a Principal Archaeologist to lead and grow our Cultural Resources practice in the Central and East Regions. This role blends technical leadership with business development to deliver integrated archaeological solutions for complex projects.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in cultural resources, with strong NEPA/NHPA knowledge and experience managing large programs. Remote-friendly with travel as needed, reporting to regional leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in cultural resources management.
• Meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology.
• Ability to be listed as a Principal Investigator on agencies permits, including BLM, USFS, NPS.
• Demonstrated experience building, leading, or significantly growing a cultural resources practice, service line, business unit, or regional program.
• Experience managing large, complex cultural resources projects.
• Strong working knowledge of NEPA, NHPA Sections 106 and 110, ARPA, NAGPRA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Experience overseeing proposal development, cost estimating, competitive pursuits, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, manage, and develop technical staff.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to lead client discussions and prepare or oversee complex technical documents and compliance reports.
• Ability to operate independently while contributing to broader company goals and leadership initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with GIS platforms and cultural resources databases preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel as necessary to support project, client, and business development needs.

Responsibilities

• Developing the Cultural Resources practice for Central and East Regions, including strategic support and market expansion.
• Play a key role in securing new cultural resources work through competitive pursuits and strategic teaming.
• Providing senior technical oversight and strategic direction for archaeological projects.
• Collaborating with internal subject matter experts to deliver integrated solutions for complex projects.
• Overseeing proposals, cost estimating, and interview execution.
• QA/QC oversight of high-volume programs/projects.
• Project staffing, budget and schedule management.
• Mentoring and developing staff, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
• Maintaining compliance with safety, confidentiality, and company policies.
• Staying current on industry trends, regulations, and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Client development

Strategic direction

Independent execution

Travel willingness

Education

Master's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology

Tools

Microsoft Office

GIS

Job description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact. “For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive. When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact. Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life

Our Principal Archeologist position can be performed remotely; however, the ideal candidate will be based in Mid-Central Region of the U.S.

The Principal Archaeologist will serve as both a senior technical authority and strategic business leader responsible for growing and leading the Cultural Resources practice in our Central and East Regions. This role combines technical excellence in archaeology and cultural resources compliance with a strong focus on client development, market expansion, staff leadership, and revenue growth. The salary range for this role is $120,000 to $150,000 commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

Responsibilities

• Developing the Cultural Resources practice for our Central and East Regions, including strategic support, market expansion, and staff planning.
• Play a key role in securing $500K in new cultural resources work through competitive pursuits, sole‑source opportunities, on‑call contracts, and strategic teaming arrangements.
• Providing senior technical oversight and strategic direction for archaeological projects.
• Collaborating with internal subject matter experts, including biologists, GIS professionals, planners, regulatory specialists, and engineers, to deliver integrated solutions for complex projects.
• Overseeing proposals and business development activities, including leading proposals, cost estimating, and interview execution.
• QA/QC oversight of high-volume programs/projects.
• Project staffing, budget and schedule management.
• Mentoring and developing staff, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
• Maintaining compliance with all safety, confidentiality, and company policies.
• Staying current on industry trends, regulations, and best practices through continuous professional development.
• Working collaboratively with the core technical team and working independently.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Your Expertise and Skills

The Principal Archaeologist is a recognized technical expert, business leader, and client relationship manager responsible for cultural resources practice growth, technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and long‑term client success. These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in cultural resources management.
• Meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology.
• Ability to be listed as a Principal Investigator on agencies permits, including BLM, USFS, NPS.
• Demonstrated experience building, leading, or significantly growing a cultural resources practice, service line, business unit, or regional program.
• Experience managing large, complex cultural resources projects.
• Strong working knowledge of NEPA, NHPA Sections 106 and 110, ARPA, NAGPRA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Experience overseeing proposal development, cost estimating, competitive pursuits, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to recruit, mentor, manage, and develop technical staff.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to lead client discussions and prepare or oversee complex technical documents and compliance reports.
• Ability to operate independently while contributing to broader company goals and leadership initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with GIS platforms and cultural resources databases preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel as necessary to support project, client, and business development needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing client relationships within our Central and East Regions.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, strategic growth initiatives, or new market expansion efforts.

About the Company

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress.

For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants.

At Onterris, we take on complex challenges with purpose and momentum, alongside teams that lead with integrity, deliver together, and invest in your growth.

Employee Testimonials

“Working with inspiring coworkers and clients across the globe over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding. Their passion motivates me to improve our client experience and work that I deliver.” - Erin Peck, Emissions Services

“There are not many places where a toxicologist can be boots‑on‑the‑ground at an environmental emergency one day and deep in a human health risk assessment or litigation the next, but this company is one of them, and honestly, that breadth is what makes me love the work. We are a team of scientists with a broad range of talents and experiences who genuinely take the mission to heart, because protecting people and communities from chemical hazards is not abstract here; it is exactly why we show up every day. The culture reflects that shared commitment in the best way: collaborative, rigorous, and truly motivated by the impact we make together.” - Andre