Principal Investigators (Field Based)

Environmental Resources Management, Inc. in; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

ERM is hiring Principal Investigators to lead on-site cultural resource mitigation and compliance during construction in Northern Nevada and Southern Idaho.

The role requires strong field judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work safely in rugged environments. It is a full-time, limited-term position (6 months) with potential extension, involving 60–72 hours/week and direct coordination with project teams and subconsultants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology or Anthropology (preferred).
• Master’s degree preferred.
• NV BLM PI Statewide qualification for Prehistoric and Historic mitigation a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead mitigation by following project plans and site-specific plans.
• Make live decisions in the field to adapt to changes while protecting data and schedules.
• Ensure safety leadership on site and coordinate with project teams.

Skills

Strong field judgment

Clear communication

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology

Master’s degree

Tools

GPS data collection tools

Job description

Position Overview

ERM is hiring Principal Investigators to lead on-site cultural resource mitigation, compliance and mitigation support during the construction phase of our client’s transmission and distribution project in Northern Nevada and Southern Idaho. The PI will work closely with project managers to understand client risk decisions, schedule drivers and methods to be used at specific sites. The candidate will be required to make in field decisions and communicate method changes in real time. The successful PI will lead teams that could include members from ERM, project term-hire, and subconsultants, and coordinators to implement mitigation, delineate, analyze, and implement avoidance measures for cultural resources to support uninterrupted project progress while maintaining regulatory compliance. This role requires strong field judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work safely and effectively in active construction and diverse, rugged environments. The position requires the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively with project teams, and make sound, real-time decisions in the field. Successful candidates must be flexible and responsive to a changing work environment where schedules, site locations, and tasks fluctuate according to the needs of the project. This is a full-time (60-72 hours/week), limited-term role with a duration of 6 months and the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

• Lead mitigation by following the Historic Properties Treatment Plan and site specific plan(s)
• Communicate and make decisions in live time on changes to the site specific plan that are in the best interest of obtaining data, BLM requirements, and schedule drivers
• Be a leader in safety
• Identify, document, and evaluate archaeological materials, features, and isolated finds and have the ability to provide preliminary in field assessment of NRHP eligibility
• Implement unanticipated discovery procedures in accordance with project permits
• Coordinate in real time with project managers, and cultural resource leads
• Maintain compliance with cultural resource permit conditions and environmental commitments
• Oversee the completion of daily field notes, photographic documentation, and GPS data
• Collect data to support future reporting, summary updates to the BLM, and updates of field forms
• Assure quality control for all crew members collected data and methods
• Assist with preparation of documentation and technical memoranda
• Communicate findings, compliance concerns, and work status to project managers and senior archaeologists
• Support coordination with Native American tribal monitors, when applicable
• Other duties as assigned or required
• Compliance with ERM’s rigorous safety program

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of Principal Investigator experience in Great Basin archaeological fieldwork
• Be permitted as a NV BLM Principal Investigator Statewide for Prehistoric and Historic Experience with mitigation for infrastructure projects
• Strong familiarity with Section 106, NHPA, and BLM, NV, and ID agency permitting requirements
• Ability to identify prehistoric and historic-period archaeological materials and features
• Experience using GPS units, Survey123, ArcGIS, or similar field data collection tools
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record
• Ability to work safely in active construction environments and outdoor field conditions

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Qualification under the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61) in Archaeology.
• Experience working in remote areas for extended periods
• Demonstrated ability to support projects requiring sustained field engagement
• Experience working alongside Native American tribal monitors
• Permittable as PI for ID BLM
• OSHA 10- or 30-hour construction safety training
• Wilderness and Remote First Aid Training

Compliance with ERM’s rigorous safety program

Compliance with ERM’s rigorous safety program

Work Environment

This position is field-intensive and may involve: Long hours in outdoor environments and temperature extremes Walking or hiking on uneven terrain while carrying field equipment Working in active construction sites around heavy equipment Candidates must be physically capable of performing required field duties safely

Pay Transparency

For the Principal Investigator position, we anticipate the annual base pay of $89,900 - $126,200, $43.22hr - $60.67/hr USD, limited-term, non-exempt. An employee’s pay position within this range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. We also may have instances where employee’s fall outside of the range based on the factors noted above. This job may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/Flexforce employees are NOT bonus eligible).

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life & disability insurance to benefits eligible* employees.
• This job may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/Flexforce employees are NOT bonus eligible).

Company Culture

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! At ERM, sustainability is our business. We are the world’s largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled expertise across business and finance. ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, through our unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities.

Our diverse global team of experts works with the world’s leading organizations to help them set clear sustainability targets, measure progress and operationalize strategy through deep implementation and business transformation. With more than 50 years of experience, our ability to integrate sustainability solutions and our depth and breadth of technical knowledge are why organizations choose to partner with us as their trusted advisor. Every one of us firmly believes in the potential to create value for our clients through an integrated approach to sustainability (because we have personally seen it and professionally achieved it).

Our team members are passionate about client service. We work closely with our clients to help them operationalize their sustainability goals and meet their environmental, health and safety objectives while advancing ERM’s purpose through delivering tangible progress in what the United Nations coined The Decade of Action.

Organizing our people across globally integrated communities of technical and strategic talent positions ERM to be a "boots to boardroom" leader in bringing that value creation to our clients, partners, and the world.

We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth. At ERM, effort pays off and becomes career defining work that leaves a positive imprint on our planet.