Senior Project Archaeologist & Team Leader

Terracon; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon’s Austin, TX office seeks a Project Archeologist / Principal Investigator to lead cultural resources efforts under the Archeology Team Leader. This full-time role offers benefits and opportunities across Texas and beyond, including proposal development and project delivery.

The candidate will supervise staff, drive growth, mentor juniors, and ensure safety culture while coordinating with Environmental Planning teams for regional client support.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Project management

Report writing

Safety management

QA/QC

ArcGIS

Budgeting

Education

Advanced degree in Anthropology/Archaeology

Tools

ArcGIS

Digital field recording tools

Job description

Terracon’s Austin, TX office seeks a Project Archeologist / Principal Investigator to lead cultural resources efforts under the Archeology Team Leader. This full-time role offers benefits and opportunities across Texas and beyond, including proposal development and project delivery.

The candidate will supervise staff, drive growth, mentor juniors, and ensure safety culture while coordinating with Environmental Planning teams for regional client support.