Archaeologist

We are seeking an experienced Archaeologist III / IV to lead and support cultural resource management (CRM) projects across Utah (UT), New Mexico (NM), Arizona (AZ), Texas (TX), Colorado (CO), and Nevada (NV). The ideal candidate must hold the necessary permits and qualifications to work in these states and have experience conducting field surveys, report writing, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder coordination for civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage archaeological surveys, site assessments, testing, and excavations in compliance with state and federal regulations (NHPA, NEPA, ARPA, and Section 106).
• Develop research designs, work plans, and methodologies for cultural resource investigations.
• Prepare and review technical reports, environmental documents, and site documentation.
• Oversee and mentor field crews, ensuring efficient data collection and safety compliance.
• Conduct artifact analysis, site evaluations, and eligibility assessments for NRHP listing.
• Work closely with clients, regulatory agencies, and tribal entities to ensure project compliance.
• Assist in preparing proposals, budgets, and schedules for CRM-related projects.
• Maintain project records, GIS mapping, and artifact databases.
• Provide guidance and training to junior archaeologists and field staff.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in cultural resource management.
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology.
• Valid permits or ability to acquire permits for UT, NM, AZ, TX, CO, and NV.
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal cultural resource laws and permitting processes.
• Proficiency in GIS, GPS mapping, and archaeological field methodologies.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience preparing regulatory reports.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and teams simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with clients, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork, sometimes in remote or challenging environments.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a background check for permit approvals.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with tribal communities and cultural resource consultation.
• Familiarity with geophysical survey techniques and remote sensing applications.
• Experience with large-scale infrastructure, transportation, or energy projects.

Work Environment & Travel:

• Combination of fieldwork and office-based tasks, with potential remote work options.
• Fieldwork may require extended stays in remote locations and physically demanding conditions.
• Travel required within UT, NM, AZ, TX, CO, and NV, depending on project needs.

What else you need to know

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive and other duties may be assigned. It is a description of the job as presently defined and is subject at any time to revision. This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.

At KLJ, we have a vested interest in the personal, financial, and professional goals of our employees. The salary for this position is expected to range between $75,000 - $115,000 annually.

Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include education (or applicable experience), training, job location, competencies relevant to the role, and internal equity. We offer a competitive full suite benefit package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, performance bonus, 401k, employee stock ownership program and a flexible work environment that gives you options to support excelling both professionally and personally. The options available for the current year are described at www.kljeng.com/careers/benefits.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the US, without employer-sponsorship. KLJ does not sponsor individuals for employment-based visas.

KLJ will not be partnering with third-party recruiters on this position. Please review our third-party recruiting policy at www.kljeng.com/careers.

Position will be posted until filled.

Job Summary:

Provides technical assistance and guidance for the collection, identification, compiling, and analysis of artifacts, observational, and spatial data concerning a variety of archaeological and historical sciences. Provides cultural resources support and guidance for multi-site/phase projects to ensure that construction or environmental permitting work done on or near archaeological sites complies with historical preservation laws. Oversees field investigations relating to construction, infrastructure, transmission, energy, pollution control, and emergency response. Substantiates documentation to advise on project areas by applying and integrating archaeological science to solve challenges. Assists project leadership with environmental impact assessment, corrective/mitigation strategy development, permitting, and/or restoration activities. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Determine well-defined data collection methods for identifying and compiling artifacts, observational, spatial, and archaeological data from field sites for projects, investigations, and surveys.

• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, site impact, and associated physical and archaeological sensitivities.

• Act as primary investigator in excavating, recovering, and analyzing artifacts that support work in cultural resource management to ensure that construction work done on or near archaeological sites complies with historical preservation laws.

• Prepare and assist with completing cultural resources survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. NEPA, etc.).

• Comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to the data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, reporting, and record compliance and retention.

• Perform professional archaeological work and conduct investigations, observations, studies, and surveys to gain further information on a particular cultural resources problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for various historical preservation and environmental issues.

• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, and illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses. • Prepare technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore cultural resources problems.

• Oversee equipment/tool performance and inventory control.

• Provide risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with moderate to high-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize or negate impacts to resources of cultural and scientific significance.

• Assist with development and scoping of medium-sized projects.

• Assist with overseeing and working with cross-functional teams in executing project work.

• Project management experience with small to mid-level projects including tracking hours and expenses for project work.

• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).

• Interact with regulatory and historical preservation agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.

• Conduct research as appropriate and assist with proposal development.

• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work.

• Remain current in latest archaeological methods, procedures, subject matter, and techniques.

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and adhere to professional conduct and KLJ’s policies and procedures.

• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, historic preservation, or a related field.

• 5 to 7 years of relevant post-education experience working in archaeological fieldwork to include site recordation, survey, construction monitoring, and excavation.

• Essential professional licensure/certification/training.

• Prior experience with GIS software and Trimble GPS units, sub-meter GPS, R1, ArcCollector, Survey123, and assorted other field applicable technologies.

• Analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional prehistoric and/or historic archaeology required.

• Working knowledge and experience with State and Federal protection regulations, preservation guidelines, and consulting processes pertaining to the specific cultural resources position.

• Familiarity with local, state, and federal permitting agencies.

• Demonstrated experience contributing to technical reports, preparing cultural resources impact evaluations, siting reports, and environmental permit applications, including field surveys, peer review, and reporting.

• Demonstrated experience conducting NEPA and other analysis and preparation of associated documentation.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a scientific and non-scientific audience.

• Highly capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.

• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.

• Proficiency with business writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.

• Developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.

• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical work week.

• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Core Competencies and Expected Behaviors:

Establishing Personal Capability: Advanced Level

Impacting Organizational Capability: Practicing Level

Developing Professional Capability: Developing Level

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

The employee is regularly required to:

Sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.

Use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

Talk or hear and communicate clearly.

The employee must:

Be able to walk on uneven terrain up to ten miles per day.

Frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds for short and long distances and occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Hours and Travel:

This position requires the individual work 40 hours per week with 40% of time spent in the office and 60% in the field.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)