Senior Cultural Resources Specialist

HDR; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 81,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Cultural Resource Specialist to lead archaeological surveys, prepare reports, and help develop compliance strategies across projects in the US. You will supervise field crews, manage schedules and budgets, and coordinate with agencies and stakeholders to ensure regulatory requirements are met.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Archaeology/Anthropology/Architectural History or related field, 10 years of archaeology experience, strong communication skills, travel ability,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, Architectural History or closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years Archaeological experience, a minimum of 5 years planning, managing and executing archaeological investigations.
• Experience with field study design, regulatory framework for cultural resource management, and GIS utilities.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for assessment, preparation of documents, reports and findings for archaeological surveys, and participate with mitigation plans and historic structures.
• Develop and monitor tasks, schedules and cost estimates, and assess applicable requirements and processes for all cultural resource projects.
• Conduct field work, participate in meetings and develop compliance strategy.
• Take part in all processes with cultural resources projects, including field investigations and agency coordination.
• Plan and develop projects or design activities that have significant impact on major company programs as needed.
• Serve as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization that resolves problems of greater scope and complexity as needed.
• Plan, organize and supervise work of medium to large staff of professionals and technicians as needed.
• Serve as Project Manager on larger projects as needed, but project management is not sole focus of position.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Strong communication

Client interaction

Team leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology/Architectural History

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.

In the role of Senior Cultural Resource Specialist, we'll count on you to:

• Take responsibility for assessment, preparation of documents, reports and findings for archaeological surveys, and participate with mitigation plans and historic structures
• Develop and monitor tasks, schedules and cost estimates, and assess applicable requirements and processes for all cultural resource projects
• Conduct field work, participate in meetings and develop compliance strategy
• Take part in all processes with cultural resources projects, including field investigations and agency coordination
• Plan and develop projects or design activities that have significant impact on major company programs as needed
• Serve as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization that resolves problems of greater scope and complexity as needed
• Plan, organize and supervise work of medium to large staff of professionals and technicians as needed
• Serve as Project Manager on larger projects as needed, but project management is not sole focus of position
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference given to local candidates and MN and WI area experience
• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, Architectural History or closely related field
• Experience with stakeholder and Tribal engagement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, Architectural History or closely related field
• A minimum of 10 years Archaeological experience, a minimum of 5 years experience in planning, managing and executing archeological investigations
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Word and Excel
• Proven ability to manage multiple field crews
• Excellent communication and client interaction skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Requires ability to travel
• Successful candidates must be familiar with field study design and documentation, regulatory framework for cultural resource management, and GIS utilities
• Must be able to handle cultural resources in a variety of geographic settings throughout the US
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Pay Transparency Location1}: $81,291 - $116,130

Primary Location:United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis Park Other Locations:United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Wisconsin-Madison Industry:Environment/Sciences Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Cultural Resources Job Posting:Oct 8, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affiliated Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.