Senior Project Archaeologist

Job Summary

Environmental Research Group, LLC (ERG) is seeking a full-time Senior Project Archaeologist to lead cultural resource management (CRM) projects supporting federal and state clients throughout the eastern, midwestern, and southeastern United States. This role combines project management, technical leadership, field direction, report preparation and review, client coordination, and staff mentorship from project kickoff through final deliverable.

Candidates based in North Carolina, Virginia, or within approximately a half-day drive of Charlotte, North Carolina, are preferred. This is a virtual-work-friendly position when not performing field-based responsibilities (approximately 40% of the time).

Essential Functions

• Lead archaeological projects from kickoff through final deliverable, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, field execution, documentation, and closeout.
• Direct Phase I archaeological surveys, Phase II testing and evaluation, archaeological monitoring, and other field investigations as project needs require.
• Coordinate field mobilizations, logistics, safety planning, daily production, data quality, and communication with project teams and local client contacts.
• Prepare and make substantial contributions to technical reports, regulatory coordination documents, research designs, methodologies, proposals, and scopes of work.
• Review field records, GIS data, analyses, and technical products for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Apply Section 106, NEPA, and relevant state guidance to archaeological planning, investigation, documentation, and recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with clients, agency contacts, teaming partners, landowners, and internal project staff.
• Mentor junior staff, provide constructive technical guidance, and contribute to consistent archaeological methods and high-quality deliverables across ERG.
• Use GIS-enabled field data collection, mapping, analysis, and reporting tools.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible CRM experience that includes field leadership, technical report writing, and client communication.
• Demonstrated experience leading archaeological field crews and managing project deliverables.
• Experience conducting or directing Phase I survey, Phase II testing or evaluation, and archaeological monitoring during construction.
• Working knowledge of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, NEPA, and archaeological investigation standards and guidelines applicable to the states where work is performed.
• Strong technical writing, editing, communication, data analysis, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and complete work within established scope, schedule, and budget parameters.
• Ability to work independently, collaborate across disciplines, lead teams, and mentor developing professionals.
• Experience with GIS-based field data collection, analysis, mapping, and reporting.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass background checks and security-clearance requirements associated with client work.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites, including hotel stays, for up to approximately 40% of work time.

Preferred

• Meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology.
• Experience supporting federal and state agency projects in the eastern, midwestern, or southeastern United States.
• Experience with Phase III data recovery, artifact analysis, geophysical remote sensing, metal detection, mechanical trenching, or another archaeological specialty.
• Experience preparing proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, and project schedules.
• Experience performing peer review or formal quality assurance/quality control of archaeological deliverables.

Work Environment & Travel

• Virtual-work-friendly position while not performing field-based responsibilities.
• Field mobilizations may range from approximately 5 to 20 days, with weekday fieldwork typical.
• Fieldwork may require working outdoors for extended periods in remote locations, variable or extreme weather, uneven terrain, and other physically demanding conditions.
• Field days may include 10 or more hours of walking, standing, bending, carrying field gear, and performing repetitive field tasks.
• Regular hotel stays and travel to project sites are required; the anticipated field/office split is approximately 40% fieldwork and 60% office or remote work.

Why ERG?

ERG: We enhance missions. We enrich lives. We are guided by our core values of trust, expertise, and compassion. ERG is committed to fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment where each team member contributes to meaningful projects that preserve cultural resources and protect the environment.

We apply enERGy to environmental work! A trusted name since 2000, ERG provides environmental and cultural resource consulting services to public- and private-sector clients. ERG is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business and a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this full-time position is $65,000 to $78,000, commensurate with experience. Bonuses may be offered for exceptional performance. The benefits package includes health insurance with a generous employer subsidy, eleven paid holidays, paid time off, a fitness stipend, a 401(k) plan with an employer contribution regardless of employee contribution, and more.

How to Apply

Join us! Apply through the ERG Careers page. Qualified candidates should be prepared to provide writing samples upon request.

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Environmental Research Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program.