Remote Principal Investigator — Terrestrial Archaeology

SEARCH; Rio Rancho (NM); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with match

11 paid holidays per year

Unlimited PTO

Per diem for travel

Job summary

SEARCH is seeking a Principal Investigator to lead terrestrial archaeology programs in the Southwest from a remote location. The role focuses on field, lab, and reporting tasks across Arizona and New Mexico, with emphasis on high-quality technical reports and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Qualified candidates have a graduate degree in Anthropology, at least five years supervisory experience, and eligibility for RPA.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Anthropology or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of supervisory experience encompassing time in field, laboratory, and office.
• Must meet the Secretary of the Interior's professional qualifications standards for archaeology and be an RPA or eligible to become an RPA.
• Expertise in state and federal laws and guidelines governing cultural resources management.
• Strong Arizona and/or New Mexico archaeological experience.
• Holding permits or eligible for NM BLM and State Lands permits.
• Demonstrated ability to support projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrated client management skills.
• Superior technical writing skillset to produce high quality technical reports and to prepare awardable proposals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise regarding field strategies, research, and regulatory requirements at the state, regional, and federal levels.
• Prepare research designs and build research teams.
• Oversee research, fieldwork, data analysis, report preparation, and other tasks to ensure that the research goals, budgets, schedules, and contract requirements of each project are met.
• Recommend and deploy state-of-the-art technology and methodology.
• Serve as the primary author and researcher on technical reports.
• Ensure research quality, research integrity, and original authorship of all project deliverables.
• Prepare research articles, papers, and presentations for academic and industry venues.
• Conduct field visits and occasional archaeological fieldwork.
• Develop project proposals, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Train and mentor archaeologists and report authors.
• Maintain the highest professional standards.
• Maintain strong project team relationships.
• Develop and manage agency and client relationships.
• Communicate project developments to the project team, company leadership, and clients.
• Other duties, as assigned

Skills

Supervisory

Technical writing

Project management

Archaeology

Cultural resources

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Graduate degree in Anthropology

Job description

SEARCH is seeking a Principal Investigator to lead terrestrial archaeology programs in the Southwest from a remote location. The role focuses on field, lab, and reporting tasks across Arizona and New Mexico, with emphasis on high-quality technical reports and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Qualified candidates have a graduate degree in Anthropology, at least five years supervisory experience, and eligibility for RPA.