Principal Archeologist

Onterris; Colorado; Remote; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris seeks a Principal Archaeologist to lead the Cultural Resources practice across the Central and East Regions, with remote work options and a preference for candidates in the Mid-Central U.S. The role combines technical leadership with business development, staff oversight, and revenue growth.

Responsibilities include shaping the practice, securing new work, providing senior technical guidance, and collaborating with biologists, GIS specialists, planners, and engineers to deliver

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 (BLM, USFS, NPS).
• Experience building or growing a cultural resources practice, service line, or regional program.
• Experience managing large, complex cultural resources projects.
• Strong knowledge of NEPA, NHPA Sections 106/110, ARPA, NAGPRA, and related regulations.
• Experience overseeing proposal development, cost estimating, competitive pursuits, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Strong leadership to recruit and mentor technical staff.
• Excellent verbal and written skills for client discussions and reports.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Office GIS and CR databases proficiency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Developing the Cultural Resources practice for Central and East Regions, including market expansion and staff planning.
• 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 biologists, GIS professionals, planners, regulators, and engineers for integrated solutions.
• Overseeing proposals, cost estimating, and interview execution.
• QA/QC oversight of high-volume programs and projects.
• Project staffing, budgeting and scheduling management.
• Mentoring and developing staff to sustain technical excellence.
• Maintaining safety, confidentiality and company policies.
• Staying current on industry trends and best practices.

Skills

Archaeology

Regulatory compliance

Client relationship management

Leadership

Public speaking

Education

Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related discipline

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.

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.

• To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following 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.

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. For US residents, click here to learn more.