Archaeologist Principal Investigator /Field Director

About the role

The operates at the nexus of environmental engineering and cultural resource stewardship, leading complex projects that safeguard historical integrity within modern development. You will own the end-to-end management of cultural resource investigations, ensuring that project deliverables align with both regulatory compliance and client objectives in sensitive environments. This position requires the strategic application of archaeological theory to solve field challenges, particularly in coastal and marine contexts where physical constraints and historical significance intersect. You will translate federal and state preservation mandates into actionable field strategies, balancing the demands of engineering timelines with the ethical obligations of heritage protection. Success in this role hinges on your capacity to synthesize technical data, community input, and regulatory feedback into coherent, defensible project outcomes. You will act as the primary technical authority on cultural resources, guiding the methodological approach for every phase of a project from initial assessment through final reporting. Ultimately, this role defines the standard for cultural resource management within True Environmental, ensuring that landscape transformation occurs without the loss of irreplaceable historical evidence.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Orchestrate the comprehensive management of cultural resource investigations, translating complex regulatory frameworks into efficient field strategies for projects involving coastal zones, urban redevelopment, and energy infrastructure.
• Direct the implementation of Section 106 and 110 compliance activities, formulating data recovery plans and monitoring protocols that satisfy federal preservation standards while addressing site-specific constraints.
• Synthesize historical research, cartographic analysis, and field reconnaissance to construct predictive models that identify potential archaeological deposits and mitigate risks to cultural resources.
• Lead the preparation of technical reports, correspondence, and regulatory submissions that clearly articulate preservation objectives and justify methodological decisions to agencies and review boards.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Tribal nations, integrating Traditional Knowledge into survey design and interpretation to ensure culturally responsive and legally robust project execution.
• Oversee the coordination of stakeholder engagements, defining project timelines, access protocols, and expectations to align the interests of clients, regulatory bodies, and community groups.
• Mentor and supervise archaeological field and laboratory staff, instilling best practices in safety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance across multiple concurrent projects.
• Apply analytical rigor to field data, iteratively testing hypotheses and refining research questions to enhance the scholarly and practical value of archaeological investigations.
• Interpret the implications of the National Environmental Policy Act for cultural resource documentation, ensuring that archaeological considerations are fully integrated into environmental impact assessments.
• Champion the continuous improvement of service lines by evaluating emerging methodologies and technologies that enhance the efficiency and accuracy of cultural resource management.

Requirements

• Bring a demonstrated track record of managing cultural resource investigations regulated by federal preservation statutes, with a portfolio that evidences compliance with Secretary of the Interior Standards.
• Exhibit proven expertise in the consultation requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act, including interactions with State Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal cultural resource professionals.
• Possess a working knowledge of National Environmental Policy Act processes and their influence on project scoping, documentation, and approval timelines.
• Hold the ability to author clear, precise, and technically sound reports intended for state and federal permitting authorities and public review periods.
• Show a history of effectively supervising junior personnel, ensuring rigorous quality control and adherence to professional standards across a dynamic portfolio of concurrent archaeological projects.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills necessary for negotiating project goals with diverse stakeholders, including clients, regulatory agencies, and Tribal representatives.
• Apply sophisticated analytical techniques to archaeological data, driving research objectives forward and producing defensible conclusions regarding site integrity and significance.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and administrative rules that govern cultural resources work in the United States.
• Possess the capability to interpret and adapt to varying regulatory frameworks, ensuring that project compliance is maintained across different jurisdictions and client needs.
• Commit to upholding the ethical obligations of the archaeological profession, including the responsible treatment of human remains and sacred objects encountered during fieldwork.

Practical notes

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Location: Portland, Oregon

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Engagement: Full-time

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Compensation: $95,000 to $120,000 annually