Technical Lead Cultural Resources

Verdantas LLC; Blue Ash (OH); On-site; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Paid parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off + holidays

Job summary

Verdantas LLC is seeking a senior cultural resources leader to direct Phase I–III archaeological investigations and ensure Section 106 compliance. You will establish standards, mentor staff, and coordinate with SHPOs, tribal nations, and federal agencies.

You’ll review complex reports, lead multi‑agency coordination, and guide technical strategy for major projects. A PI background and experience with NHPA/NEPA are required, with a passion for data‑driven, sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, or related field.
• Progressive cultural resources consulting experience with senior responsibilities.
• Experience as Principal Investigator on federal undertakings.
• Strong knowledge of Section106, NHPA, NEPA, and historic preservation compliance.
• Experience leading archaeological investigations and preparing documentation.
• Ability to collaborate with regulators, tribal partners, clients, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong technical writing, communication, leadership, problem‑solving, and client‑management skills.
• Ability to establish technical standards and mentor developing professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical direction for Phase I‑III archaeological investigations and Section106 compliance.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, field protocols, and QA/QC practices across the Cultural Resources practice.
• Review complex technical reports, determinations of eligibility, and National Register nominations.
• Lead engagement with SHPOs, THPOs, tribal nations, and federal agencies.
• Coordinate cultural resources work across engineering, environmental, planning, and GIS project teams.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients on complex, high‑profile engagements.
• Represent Verdantas during agency meetings, regulatory hearings, and client presentations.
• Lead or support technical strategy for major pursuits and client development opportunities.

Skills

Senior leadership

Regulatory coordination

Technical writing

Client management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology/History

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose! At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting‑edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high‑growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure. Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people‑focused culture, prioritizing the well‑being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data‑driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future. Join a people‑first culture that values your well‑being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world. Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?

What You’ll Do:

• Provide senior technical direction for Phase I, II, and III archaeological investigations and Section106 compliance.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, field protocols, and QA/QC practices across the Cultural Resources practice.
• Review complex technical reports, determinations of eligibility, and National Register nominations.
• Lead the resolution of challenging cultural resources issues, including contested site eligibility, inadvertent discoveries, and multi‑agency coordination.
• Interpret and apply requirements associated with the National Historic Preservation Act, Section106, NEPA, CEQA, Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and applicable state historic preservation requirements.
• Lead engagement with SHPOs, THPOs, tribal nations, and federal agencies, including USACE, FHWA, USEPA, USFS, and BLM.
• Support regulatory negotiations, tribal consultation, Programmatic Agreements, and Memoranda of Agreement.
• Coordinate cultural resources work across engineering, environmental, planning, and GIS project teams.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients on complex, high‑profile, and program‑scale engagements.
• Represent Verdantas during agency meetings, regulatory hearings, client presentations, and industry conferences.
• Lead or support technical strategy for major pursuits and client‑development opportunities.
• Build relationships with public agencies, tribal nations, and private‑sector clients.
• Mentor cultural resources professionals and support their progression toward RPA eligibility, increased project independence, and broader technical capabilities.
• Contribute to recruiting, onboarding, technical training, and succession planning for the practice.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, or a closely related discipline.
• Progressive experience in cultural resources consulting, including senior technical or practice‑level responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Principal Investigator on federal undertakings.
• Strong knowledge of Section106, NHPA, NEPA, and historic preservation compliance.
• Experience leading archaeological investigations and preparing technically defensible cultural resources documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with regulatory agencies, tribal partners, clients, and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong technical writing, communication, leadership, problem‑solving, and client‑management skills.
• Ability to establish technical standards, oversee QA/QC, and mentor developing professionals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related discipline.
• Membership in the Register of Professional Archaeologists.
• Experience leading tribal consultation and complex agency coordination.
• Experience providing expert testimony or regulatory testimony.
• Established relationships with federal, state, and tribal regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience supporting cultural resources work across multiple states or nationally.
• Valid driver’s license.

Salary Range:

The starting salary range for this position is $130,000, with final compensation determined based on qualifications, experience, and licensing status.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Environment
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off + Holidays

Diversity & Inclusion:

Verdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce. Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet.

Ready for what’s next?

Your future starts here. Explore our open opportunities and find a role that not only matches your skills— but fuels your ambition. From innovative projects to collaborative teams, we offer careers where you can grow, make an impact, and do your best work. Take the next step, discover where you belong, and build something meaningful with us. Your next opportunity is waiting—go find it and come grow with us!