Lead Archaeologist – Principal Investigator

About the opportunity

SWCA’s Gulf Coast operation is seeking a Lead Archaeologist in Houston, TX, to support its expanding practice. As a key member of our team, you will collaborate with Directors, Team Leads, and Project Managers to coordinate projects and ensure high-quality cultural resource management services.

As a Lead Archaeologist, you will play a crucial role in managing and overseeing cultural resource projects, serving as the primary author on technical reports, research designs, and other documentation. You will provide guidance and mentorship to staff, ensuring compliance with QA/QC standards and fostering a collaborative team environment. Additionally, you will manage budgets, proposals, client interactions, and staff, demonstrating proficiency in project management and effective delegation.

This is a regular, full-time salaried position reporting to our Senior Cultural Resources Director, offering the flexibility of a hybrid work environment out of our Houston, TX or Baton Rouge, LA offices. 

What you will accomplish

• Develop and foster client relationships to build business across SWCA's service offerings
• Lead authorship of technical reports, research designs, and other documentation.
• Oversight of field research, data collection, analysis, and report production.
• Training and mentoring of staff in research protocols, technical reporting, and site recording.
• Problem-solving and process improvement to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaboration with local and regional teams to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Cultivation of strong relationships with agency contacts, clients, and stakeholders.
• Additional project management duties, including budgeting, proposal preparation, and client management.
• Demonstrated commitment to scientific integrity and SWCA's Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Minimum of a master’s degree in Archaeology or Anthropology.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of archaeology fieldwork experience, with academic or research-oriented supervisory experience considered.
• Thorough knowledge of NEPA and Section 106 regulations.
• Registered Professional Archaeologist status or eligibility.
• Experience with content editing of reports and project scheduling/budgeting.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with project teams.
• Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 100% employee-owned company that offers a full range of environmental services. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges, all while staying true to our commitment to employee ownership. At SWCA, we live our core values every day: we collaborate as #OneSWCA, we’re #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices across the country, we’re proud to be one of the largest environmental compliance firms in the U.S. and to rank among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. In alignment with this commitment, we post good faith pay ranges in all job postings. An employee in this Houston, TX - based position can expect a salary of $81,545.10 – $106,289.82/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

We offer a supportive, team-focused work environment, competitive pay, and great benefits—including a 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) to help you build a strong financial future. At SWCA, we’re committed to helping our team members grow into industry leaders. Our award-winning Career Landscape program offers a clear and structured path to meaningful career development. We support your growth through conference attendance, internal and external training, education reimbursement, our Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for qualifying publications. All regular-status employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, life, and disability coverage, as well as access to our Employee Assistance Program. Employees may also participate in SWCA’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

SWCA continues to invest in our people. We value the skills and experience of our internal team members and strongly encourage qualified employees to apply for open positions. We believe in promoting from within whenever possible, offering meaningful opportunities for career growth.

Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications immediately and schedule interviews with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until we identify a strong pool of candidates and may close without prior notice. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort of all applicants and will thoughtfully review each submission.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

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