Senior Archaeologist

Cognitell; Coolidge (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognitell is looking for a Senior Archaeologist based in Coolidge, Arizona. This senior-level position focuses on compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, supporting the Bureau of Indian Affairs for irrigation projects.

The role involves managing consultations, developing cultural resource content for environmental assessments, and independent field surveys in challenging conditions. The ideal candidate should have a master’s or relevant bachelor’s degree and experience in compliance and project management.

Qualifications

• Must have a permit for conducting archaeological work under the Arizona Antiquities Act.
• Experience in managing cultural resources projects.
• Field skills for conducting surveys in hot conditions.

Responsibilities

• Manage consultations with government entities regarding cultural resources.
• Develop cultural resource sections for Environmental Impact Statements.
• Conduct archaeological field inventories and assess sites for eligibility.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal skills

Ability to work with federal managers

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Master’s degree in archaeology or anthropology

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience

Job description

Senior Archaeologist

This is a senior level Archaeological position located in Coolidge, AZ, focusing on National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance issues. This role will be supporting the Bureau of Indian Affairs San Carlos Irrigation Project (SCIP), Irrigation and Power Divisions which owns and operates irrigation and power facilities in Pinal County and parts of Pima, Maricopa, Graham, and Gila counties in Arizona. The service area includes two Indian Reservations and off‑reservation areas containing rural and densely populated communities. The position will plan, organize, and direct the cultural resource management program, ensuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This position requires will be providing knowledge and expertise in support of Federal management officials responsible for high-level decision-making and complex project management.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Manages routine to complex consultations with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs), Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and Indian Tribes.
• Serves as a liaison for government‑to‑government consultation relating to cultural resources.
• Develop cultural resource sections for major Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA) and evaluate cultural resources clearance for Categorical Exclusions.
• Conducts field inventories, reviews archaeological reports prepared by third parties, assesses sites for National Register eligibility, recommends findings of effects, and develops mitigation strategies for adverse effects.
• Writes and negotiates agreement documents for routine programmatic activities and to resolve adverse effects resulting from individual undertakings.
• Responsible for high‑level decision‑making and complex project management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal skills due to the interdisciplinary and multicultural exposure of this position.
• Ability to take direction from onsite federal program managers and supporting contract staff to support BIA program needs and to work with a variety of non‑federal entities (state and local governments, tribal programs and governments, and members of the public).
• Proficiency in providing knowledge and expertise in support of Federal management officials.
• Broadly applied software including Microsoft Office suite.

Education and Experience

• A master’s degree in archaeology or a field of anthropology; or, a B.S. degree in archaeology or a field of anthropology and three years of professional experience in archaeological surveys, Section 106 NHPA reviews and consultations, and drafting cultural resources reviews and narratives NEPA documents (i.e. meets Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualification).
• Experience managing cultural resources projects.
• Knowledge and experience applying Federal, state, and local laws/regulations regarding cultural resources.
• Experience providing professional advice to leadership on Section 106 compliance requirements, including tribal, SHPO, and public consultation requirements.
• Must also have or be able to acquire a permit to conduct archaeological work under the Arizona Antiquities Act from the Arizona State Museum and to have or be able to acquire access to the AZSITE System.
• Field skills: Ability to design and conduct pedestrian field surveys independently in extremely hot conditions and/or remote locations.

Working Conditions

The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Walking, using hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reaching with hands and arms; balancing; stooping; bending or crouching; talking or hearing. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Some lifting of files, opening cabinets.
• Bending or standing as necessary.
• May travel across the project area for onsite cultural resources inventories and evaluations.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions and other elements prevalent at the time.

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all‑inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified, as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sealaska Corporation is an equal‑opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally‑recognized Indian Tribe.