Principal Archaeologist- Principal Investigator

About the opportunity

The Principal Archaeologist - Principal Investigator is responsible for providing leadership within the Cultural Resources Program by managing clients, projects, and staff within SWCA’s Rocky Mountain/Plains sub-region. 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.

In addition, the successful applicant will serve as a Principal Investigator to ensure technical rigor and Section 106 Compliance. This position will be instrumental in contributing to a robust cultural resources program that includes supporting existing clients and projects, capturing new work and clients, supervising and mentoring junior staff, encouraging teamwork and cooperation, working with other offices and sub-regions, and driving overall scientific and business excellence.

This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), exempt, and salaried position reporting to our Sheridan, WY Senior Office Director. Salary will be based on individual qualifications and experience. The position will be based out of our Sheridan, WY offices but is open to highly qualified candidates who work distributed (= remote) in other parts of Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas, or Colorado.

Application Deadline : Applications will be accepted through October 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM MDT.

What you will accomplish

- Strategic Project Leadership : Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.

- Exemplary Leadership : Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.

- Technical Expertise & Innovation : Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.

- Project Accountability : Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA's values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.

- Business Growth & Innovation : Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.

- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration : Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.

- Mentorship & Team Development : Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.

- Relationship Management : Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.

- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.

- Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

- Evaluate sales opportunities and lead strategic capture and proposal efforts in collaboration with the Business Development Resources team and local and regional leadership.

- Recommend priority prospects, pursuits, and proposals to the Directors based on market opportunities and regional goals.

- Directly supervise cultural resources project managers, technical staff, and field personnel, providing clear assignments, performance expectations, and project-specific direction.

- Advise the Directors regarding staff performance, advancement, development needs, and corrective action; support completion of required performance-management and training activities.

- Serve as a lead hiring manager for project- and staff-level positions, including identifying staffing needs, screening candidates, conducting interviews, and making hiring recommendations.

- Support team readiness by coordinating safety, equipment, training, technical resources, and regulatory or research updates; reinforce compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements.

- Direct cultural resources field and laboratory teams in coordination with project managers, assistant project managers, and principal investigators.

- Prepare and review cultural resources reports and related technical documents.

- Develop cultural resources recommendations for mitigation, monitoring, and permitting

Minimum Qualifications

Ten years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others. Twelve years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a master's degree.

Experience and qualifications for success

- A Master’s (M.A. or M.S.) Degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, or related field.

- Ten (10) years of progressively more responsible experience in cultural resources fieldwork, consulting, and project management, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work from pre-field tasks to final report preparation.

- Seven (7) years of related experience on project(s) in Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas or Colorado.

- Listed as a Registered Professional Archaeologist (or qualified for RPA status).

- Ability to be listed as a Principal Investigator on federal permits in Wyoming and Montana.

- Previous experience with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in Wyoming and/or neighboring states is required, including Section 106 of the NHPA, NEPA, NAGPRA, and ARPA.

- Demonstrated experience in supervising, mentoring, and providing leadership for other professionals.

- Demonstrated business development success and consulting acumen, including established credibility with federal and state reviewing agencies and clients, as well as success in proposal writing.

- Travel up to 10%

Preferred or Helpful Qualifications:

- Twelve (12) years of progressively more responsible experience in cultural resources fieldwork, consulting, and project management, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work from pre-field tasks to final report preparation.

- Emphasis in archaeology of Wyoming and/or neighboring states, and a current technical specialization (i.e. lithic analysis, historical archaeology, GIS, architectural history, etc.)

- Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology highly preferred

- Ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective manner.

- Flexibility and willingness to learn company procedures, and ability to try new, improved techniques.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Sheridan, WY - based position is $100,692.80 to $131,757.60 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected] or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

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.

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