Staff Archaeologist

Jacobs; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase option

Paid time off

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a full-time staff archaeologist in Texas to support planning, engineering, and construction projects for government, military, and commercial clients. The role covers NHPA, ARPA, NEPA, and NAGPRA compliance, field surveys, monitoring, data entry, GIS work, and reporting under supervision.

The hybrid work policy allows a mix of Jacobs office and remote locations, with preference for candidates in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Strong communication and technical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• BA in anthropology/archaeology/CRM required.
• Strong field survey and construction monitoring experience.
• Proficiency with GIS and data entry.
• Excellent technical prose and report-writing skills.
• Willingness to travel and work outdoors in variable weather.

Responsibilities

• Background and archival research for projects.
• Intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing.
• In-field artifact analysis and site documentation.
• Prepare technical reports and site forms for cultural resources.

Skills

GIS experience

Technical writing

Fieldwork

Office software

Education

BA in anthropology/archaeology/CRM

Tools

ArcGIS

Relational databases

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is seeking a full-time staff archaeologist based in Texas to work on a variety of projects throughout Texas and surrounding regions. This position involves providing cultural resources support for planning, engineering, and construction projects serving government, military, and commercial clients.

The staff archaeologist role encompasses projects that require compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Native American Graves Repatriation and Protection Act (NAGPRA), Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT), and other federal, state, and local cultural resource regulations. All work will be conducted under the guidance of senior cultural resources staff.

Ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have a B.A. in anthropology/archaeology/CRM with experience working in Texas and in conducting archaeological survey and construction monitoring. Familiarity with basic artifact and feature identification, mapping, data entry, photography, and archaeological site documentation is expected. Additional qualifications include the ability to produce clear, well-organized technical prose, strong organizational skills, and technological proficiency that includes experience working with GIS and relational databases.

Primary duties

Primary duties will include background and archival research, intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing, in-field artifact analysis, and cultural resources monitoring.

Collaboration & hybrid work

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between a Jacobs office and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work. Candidates local to the Dallas-Fort-Worth metro area are preferred.

The successful candidate should have a desire to grow personally as well as professionally with support from the local team.

Our Archaeologists

• Coordinate compliance with relevant regulations
• Conduct archival research and background records reviews
• Conduct all aspects of archaeological fieldwork (primarily survey and monitoring)
• Perform analyses and prepare technical reports for projects that involve cultural resources
• Evaluate eligibility of resources for listing in the NRHP and State Antiquities Landmark
• Provide support to and work with senior-level cultural resources staff

Here's what you'll need

• B.A. in anthropology/archaeology/CRM
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with clients, contractors, and agency personnel in the field
• Minimum of three years of professional archaeological field work including construction monitoring
• Working knowledge of historic preservation laws and policies, including NEPA, NHPA, ARPA, and NAGPRA
• Working knowledge of the Antiquities Code of Texas and Texas Historical Commission review procedures, including the Archeological Survey Standards for Texas (Council of Texas Archeologists)
• Proficiency in soil documentation
• Experience using geospatial technology (ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey 123)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Effective oral and written communication
• Must be capable of walking long distances over uneven terrain, excavating shovel tests, screening soil, analyzing artifacts, profiling trench walls, and carrying field equipment outdoors in variable weather, including extreme heat
• Must be willing and able to travel as needed
• Must be motivated and able to work safely with minimum supervision

Ideally, you'll also have

• 5+ years of experience
• Experience leading crews in the field
• Experience conducting research, literature reviews, and cartographic reviews
• Experience writing technical reports and populating site forms
• Background in the consulting environment
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and be responsive to both internal and external clients
• HAZWOPER certification
• OSHA-10 and Competent Person certification

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about.

• Your health.
• Your well-being.
• Your security.
• Your future.
• Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave.
• And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

Base salary range

The base salary range for this position is $66,300.00 to $116,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on September 28, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.