About the opportunity
SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for a Cultural Resources Lead, Senior or Principal Archaeologist/Principal Investigator to join our Midwest team. Our team of accomplished environmental and cultural resources scientists is growing, and we are looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality cultural resources compliance services. Your role will be to work with office staff in business development, drafting proposals, overseeing and improving team procedures, developing and leading projects, overseeing fieldwork, assisting with field logistics, completing analysis of results, and drafting and reviewing technical reports.This is a permanent, full -time, regular status position (with benefits) reporting to our Midwest Leadership Team. This position can work as an office based or hybrid schedule out of our Lombard, IL office, or a distributed employee based in the Midwest in any of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, or Wisconsin.
We are considering the following role levels:
- Lead Archaeologist/Principal Investigator-8 years of supervisory and fieldwork experience -$81,545-$106,289
- Senior Archaeologist/Principal Investigator-10 years of supervisory and fieldwork experience -$92,230-$120,349
- Principal Archaeologist/Principal Investigator-12 years of supervisory and fieldwork experience-$105,727-$138,345
SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of environmental professionals who specialize in environmental planning, natural and cultural resource management, and regulatory compliance. Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today.Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.
What you will accomplish
- Serve as primary or co-author on large technical reports, research designs, and other technical documents.
- Conduct content edits of technical reports and site forms.
- Manage cultural resources projects from proposal to close out.
- Oversee field research, data collection, inventory, analysis, and final report production, ensuring these tasks are conducted in accordance with the QA/QC plan.
- Assist with training and mentoring of staff in topics including NRHP eligibility, implementation of research designs, technical reporting, and cultural resources recording protocols.
- Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
- Maintain good working relationships with state and federal agency contacts and clients.
- Additional project management duties as needed: manage budgets, prepare proposals, interact with clients, and manage staff.
- Drive 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 related experience.
- Experience applying for state-issued excavation permits in at least one or more of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and/or Wisconsin.
- Experience with and thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations for cultural resources compliance projects located in one or more of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and/or Wisconsin.
- Experience with content edits of reports and a background of scheduling and budgeting of projects related to cultural resources.
- Listed as a Registered Professional Archaeologist (or qualified for RPA status).
- Ability to work independently as well as oversee small or large projects by working closely with Field Directors and Project Managers.
- Ability to travel an estimated 5-10% of the time when necessary.
Preferred Qualification:
- Peer-reviewed publication record and conference presentation experience preferred and will be supported in this role.
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.
If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require a confidential conversation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We are 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.
SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.
An employee in this Chicago, IL- based position can expect an annual salary between $81,545.10-$138,345.48 a role in the lead level. 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 which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.
SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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
SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.
