West Coast Project Archaeologist – Lead Field Teams

AKS Engineering & Forestry; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AKS Engineering & Forestry is seeking a Project Archaeologist to join our Cultural Resources practice and deliver thoughtful, technically excellent cultural resources consulting across the western United States. You will lead field crews, coordinate with agencies and stakeholders, and help shape project strategy from desktop review through field investigations and reporting.

This role requires a graduate degree in archaeology or anthropology, experience directing investigations, and strong

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology and/or History.
• CRM experience directing archaeological investigations and producing agency-ready technical documentation.
• Strong knowledge of NHPA Section 106, NEPA, SEPA, CEQA and related federal/state cultural resources requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and document archaeological investigations including records reviews, pedestrian survey, testing, monitoring, and data recovery.
• Direct field crews ensuring safety, efficiency, and project compliance with agency standards.
• Identify and analyze prehistoric and historic materials and synthesize field, laboratory, archival, GIS, and environmental information.
• Prepare clear technical reports, site records, research designs, and eligibility evaluations.
• Apply cultural resources laws and guidance to projects, including Section 106 and NEPA.
• Understand archaeological sensitivity in landform history and buried-site potential.
• Coordinate with clients, agencies, Tribal representatives, landowners, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, and deliverables; anticipate issues and communicate risks.
• Support proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, and growth of Cultural Resources practice.
• Travel and conduct fieldwork across the West, including remote locations.

Skills

Field archaeology

Artifact analysis

Technical writing

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Graduate degree in archaeology or anthropology

Tools

GIS

GPS data collection

Archaeological databases

Job description

AKS Engineering & Forestry is seeking a Project Archaeologist to join our Cultural Resources practice and deliver thoughtful, technically excellent cultural resources consulting across the western United States. You will lead field crews, coordinate with agencies and stakeholders, and help shape project strategy from desktop review through field investigations and reporting.

This role requires a graduate degree in archaeology or anthropology, experience directing investigations, and strong