Senior Archaeologist / Project Manager

Description

Your role at GEI.

GEI Consultants is seeking an experienced Senior Archaeologist / Project Manager to join our growing Cultural Resources Practice in the West Region. This leadership-level position is intended for an accomplished cultural resources professional who combines strong technical expertise with project management, client relationship management, business development, and staff mentoring skills.

The successful candidate will serve as a senior technical resource and project manager for a diverse portfolio of cultural resources projects supporting transportation, utilities, water, renewable energy, infrastructure, and public-sector clients throughout California and the western United States. This role offers opportunities to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop client relationships, mentor staff, and contribute to the strategic growth of the practice.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

Technical Leadership

• Serve as Principal Investigator and senior technical lead for archaeological compliance projects conducted under CEQA, NEPA, Section 106, and related federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead archaeological surveys, evaluations, testing programs, data recovery excavations, monitoring efforts, and mitigation projects.
• Prepare, review, and approve complex technical reports, treatment plans, research designs, and compliance documentation.
• Provide expert guidance on regulatory strategy, technical issues, and project execution.
• Ensure high-quality technical deliverables through rigorous QA/QC review.
• Maintain current knowledge of cultural resource management regulations, industry standards, and emerging best practices.

Project Management

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, including scope, budget, schedule, staffing, and client communications.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams and coordinate with environmental planners, engineers, biologists, tribal representatives, clients, and agency staff.
• Monitor project financial performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Develop project work plans, cost estimates, schedules, and staffing plans.
• Identify and manage project risks while ensuring successful project delivery.

Business Development and Client Management

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within existing and emerging markets.
• Lead proposal preparation, scope development, cost estimating, and interview presentations.
• Support regional and national growth initiatives.
• Participate in strategic planning and market development activities.
• Contribute to achieving annual sales and business development goals.

Leadership and Staff Development

• Mentor junior and mid-level archaeologists and cultural resources staff.
• Provide guidance on technical work, project management, and career development.
• Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and performance development activities.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, safety, and technical excellence.
• Lead training initiatives and knowledge-sharing efforts across the practice.

Professional Engagement

• Represent GEI with clients, agencies, Native American Tribes, and professional organizations.
• Present at conferences, workshops, and industry meetings.
• Contribute to publications, technical papers, and professional presentations.
• Participate in professional organizations and industry working groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archeology.
• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible cultural resources experience, including consulting experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex archaeological projects throughout California.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, Section 106, and California’s cultural resources regulations.
• Proven experience managing project budgets, schedules, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience managing subcontractors and coordinating field operations.
• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
• Expertise in tribal consultation support and stakeholder engagement.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fifteen or more years of professional cultural resources experience.
• Existing client relationships within California resource management, transportation, utility, water, or renewable energy sectors.
• Demonstrated record of successful business development and proposal leadership.
• Experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated success mentoring staff and building high-performing teams.
• Publication record and/or active participation in professional organizations.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Expert-level technical knowledge and judgment.
• Strong project management and financial accountability.
• Ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams.
• Sound business judgment and strategic thinking.
• Proven ability to build long-term client relationships.
• Commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

We are GEI.

Some of the world’s most pressing problems – from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply – need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.

We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients’ most complex challenges.

With several offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry. See all our office locations here.

Employee-owned. Employee-focused.

As an employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs – we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded – which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI’s career site here.

GEI’s Total Rewards Package Includes

• Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
• Pay Range For This Position: $106,080.00 – $141,523.20/year
• Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
• Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Hybrid Work Schedules and Cell Phone Stipends
• GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
• Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
• Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
• Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
• Rewards and Recognition
• GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
• Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here)
• A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• And More…

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS WORK ENVIRONMENT Functional Demands: X Sedentary Light Medium Other Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row) Physical Activity Requirements Occasional (0-35% of day) Frequent (33-66% of day) Continuous (67-100% of day) Not Applicable Sitting 6-8 hours Standing 0-1 hour Walking 0-1 hour Climbing X Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds) 0-10 pounds Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds) 0-10 pounds Carrying objects 0-1 hour Push/pull X Twisting 0-1 hour Bending 0-1 hour Reaching forward 0-1 hour Reaching overhead 0-1 hour Squat/kneel/crawl X Wrist position deviation 3-5 hours Pinching/fine motor skills 1-2 hours Keyboard use/repetitive motion 6-8 hours Taste or smell (taste=never) 0-1 hour Talk or hear 3-5 hours Accurate 20/40 Very Accurate 20/20 Not Applicable Near Vision X Far Vision X Yes No Not Applicable Color Discrimination X Sensory Requirements Minimal Moderate Accurate Not Applicable Depth perception X Hearing X Environment Requirements Occupational Exposure Risk Potential Reasonably Anticipated Not Anticipated Blood borne pathogens X Chemical X Airborne communicable diseases X Extreme temperatures X Radiation X Uneven surfaces or elevations X Extreme noise levels X Dust/particulate matter X Other (exposure risks): Usual workday hours: X 8 10 12 Other work hours

GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.