Project Archeologist / Principal Investigator

Terracon; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

Terracon’s Austin, TX office is looking for a Project Archeologist / Principal Investigator to lead cultural resources projects under the Archeology Team Leader.

You will mentor staff, manage project budgets, review reports, and contribute to proposal development while expanding market share in Texas and beyond. This is a full-time position with benefits within Terracon’s Environmental Planning and Permitting group.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in archaeology.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and reporting in Texas.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety efforts and ensure compliance with safety rules.
• Maintain quality standards on all projects.
• Oversee and participate in archaeological investigations (precontact, historic, industrial, rural, urban) in Texas and nearby regions.
• Support non-archeological environmental planning tasks as assigned.
• Conduct independent precontact and historic documentary research.
• Contribute to proposals, methodologies, and research designs.
• Provide QA/QC on field documentation and paperwork.
• Oversee staff, including field and lab technicians, under supervision of an Archeology Team Leader.
• Opportunity to manage projects per Terracon’s PM standards.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team building

Communication

Project management

Education

Advanced graduate degree in Anthropology/Archaeology

Tools

ArcGIS

Field recording tools

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Project Archeologist / Principal Investigator to work in our Austin, TX office under the direction of the Archeology Team Leader. This is a full-time position with benefits.

Cultural Resources is part of our Environmental Planning and Permitting group, which also includes NEPA Planning and full-service Natural Resources capabilities. Our team works collaboratively with these and other Environmental practice areas to support Terracon’s regional, statewide, and national client base. We are seeking a candidate who understands and is committed to program growth; is a strong team builder, communicator, and mentor; and who brings technical expertise and depth to our program.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

As a Project Archeologist / Principal Investigator, you will work closely with our Archeology Team Lead, Environmental Planning and Permitting Group Manager, and other Principal Investigators to supervise, mentor, and help support the professional growth of our cultural resources team. This team includes full- and part-time employees at all stages of career development. You will support our team’s continued growth through expanded market share and successful project delivery. You will be a leader in understanding and supporting Terracon’s safety culture and expectations. You will work with your team to manage projects, prepare and review reports, and coach and mentor staff on quality data generation and reporting. You will play an important role in helping support proposal development and project delivery in our region and across Texas with opportunities to work in other regions of the U.S. As a senior practitioner you will participate in business development activities with office and department leadership, and you will work with our regional office leadership as well as key sector leads to help grow our practice.

• Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and practices. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
• Be responsible for maintaining quality standards on all projects.
• Oversee and participate in project planning for archeological investigations of all types (precontact, historic, industrial, rural, urban) and phases (survey, evaluation, and mitigation) located in Texas and adjacent areas and regions, as assigned.
• Support other non-archeological Environmental Planning projects, tasks, and activities as assigned.
• Conduct independent precontact and historic documentary research.
• Contribute to proposals, methodologies, and research designs for all types and phases of archeological projects.
• Maintain and provide QA/QC on field documentation and paperwork.
• Oversee work performed by supervisory staff, including field and laboratory technicians, under the direction of an Archeology Team Leader.
• This position will come with opportunities to manage projects according to Terracon’s Project Manager standards and expectations.

Requirements:

Preferred:

• Membership in statewide professional associations such as the Council of Texas Archeologists, and/or other evidence of professional engagement in the larger community.
• Previous experience with and understanding of curation procedures and requirements according to standards within Texas.
• Experience and technical familiarity with multiple artifact and/or historic resource categories commonly encountered in Texas and/or surrounding region(s).

Required:

• Advanced graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related discipline and more than 5 years of experience in the practice.
• Familiarity with the Antiquities Code of Texas, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other pertinent State and Federal legislation.
• Experience with writing technical reports that meet and exceed regulatory requirements and standards in Texas and other States.
• Previous experience preparing proposals, building budgets, and understanding and managing project finances.
• Experience with ArcGIS and digital field recording tools and platforms.
• Ability to direct staff technicians regarding data collection, preparation of figures and maps, and report production. Ability to mentor and supervise junior staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely using both written and verbal skills.
• Ability to multi-task within flexible/fluid schedules and project needs.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting, and walking on uneven surfaces carrying at least 20 lbs. of equipment, and ability to work in extreme (hot/cold) weather conditions.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Ability to travel for overnight (including multiple days away) work assignments.
• Ability to pass drug screening.
• Possession of a U.S. driver’s license, with acceptable violation history.