Archaeologist Principal Investigator/Project Director

About the role

The Principal Archaeologist/Project Director role at Sundance Consultants, a division within the True Environmental group, places you at the center of cultural resources management in the state of New Mexico. You will own the full lifecycle of Section 106 and 110 compliance efforts, leading field teams from initial site discovery through the delivery of defensible data recovery and monitoring plans. This position requires you to merge cultural resource knowledge with engineering and planning workflows to ensure project deliverables align with federal, state, and tribal regulations. You will be responsible for interpreting preservation laws and applying that interpretation to real-time field decisions that protect cultural materials. The role involves direct oversight of junior and temporary archaeologists, ensuring that field methodologies meet professional standards and client expectations. You will serve as the primary technical advisor to clients and government agencies, articulating complex regulatory requirements in clear and actionable terms. Success in this position will expand the organization's archaeological service offerings by building strategic partnerships that integrate cultural studies with broader engineering and remediation projects. Ultimately, you will shape how cultural resources are identified, evaluated, and managed to reduce risk and ensure compliance for clients across New Mexico.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Plan efficient field schedules that account for complex site limitations, access constraints, and seasonal conditions in New Mexico.
• Create intake procedures that ensure data compliance with preservation standards and that protect the integrity of cultural materials from project outset.
• Merge cultural knowledge with engineering practices to build integrated sequences that align environmental reviews with archaeological objectives.
• Conduct compliance reviews prior to public submission to verify that project deliverables meet all applicable regulatory benchmarks.
• Verify that documentation meets both client specifications and the detailed requirements of federal and tribal reviewing agencies.
• Expand archaeological service offerings through strategic partnerships that connect cultural resource expertise with complementary technical services.
• Link cultural resources to wider permitting processes under NEPA sections to ensure that cultural factors are addressed in project planning.
• Convert field notes into defensible research records through data recovery plans that stand up to peer review and legal scrutiny.
• Supervise and mentor junior field staff and temporary teams to maintain high methodological standards and consistent project execution.
• Facilitate collaboration with agency and tribal representatives to ensure that consultation processes are transparent, respectful, and well documented.
• Interpret state and federal preservation laws in real time to guide on-the-ground field decisions and regulatory strategies.
• Produce clear, concise reports tailored for permitting and consultation files that communicate project findings and compliance status effectively.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables to meet client and regulatory deadlines without compromising archaeological quality.
• Support the integration of cultural resource considerations into environmental impact statements and other NEPA-related documentation.
• Act as the technical authority on cultural resources for projects in New Mexico, providing leadership and direction to multidisciplinary teams.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with Section 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• A proven track record of managing cultural resources in both federal and tribal contexts is essential for this role.
• Established capability in preparing monitoring plans and data recovery strategies that meet professional standards.
• Proficiency in interpreting state and federal preservation laws to inform field decision-making and regulatory compliance.
• History of supervising junior field staff and mentoring temporary teams to ensure consistent and high-quality archaeological work.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with agency and tribal representatives during consultation and review processes.
• Exceptional written communication skills required for producing clear reports for permitting and consultation files.
• Understanding of NEPA procedures necessary to integrate cultural factors into project definitions and environmental documentation.

Nice to have

• Interest in coastal and marine engineering structures relevant to specialized project scopes that may involve submerged cultural resources or shoreline impacts.

Practical notes

• Location is limited to New Mexico for this position.
• Employment is full-time.
• Compensation is set at $70,000.00 USD annually.
• Please verify details on the official application page for the most current information.