Principal Technical Consultant, Archaeologist - Oregon or Washington

Principal Technical Consultant, Archaeologist

Lead complex cultural resources work that shapes major infrastructure projects across the Pacific Northwest. Join ERM as a Principal Technical Consultant, Archaeologist and bring your expertise to high-impact projects, collaborative teams, and client partnerships that move the industry forward.

This role sits at the intersection of cultural stewardship and large-scale project delivery. You will guide regulatory strategy, ensure compliance, and protect cultural resources while enabling critical development across the Pacific Northwest. As a senior leader, you'll influence project outcomes, mentor talent, and expand ERM's presence in a growing market.

This is a full-time role based in Seattle or Portland, with a strong preference for candidates familiar with Pacific Northwest regulatory frameworks. If you're ready to lead, influence, and grow in a dynamic consulting environment, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

What Your Impact Is

• Serve as a trusted technical leader and Principal Investigator on complex cultural resources projects.
• Drive high-quality, compliant deliverables that meet federal, state, and local standards (NEPA/SEPA).
• Strengthen partnerships with agencies, Tribal Nations, and clients.
• Mentor and develop archaeologists while elevating team performance.
• Grow ERM's cultural resources footprint through client engagement and business development.

What You'll Bring

• Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field with 10+ years of experience.
• Eligibility to serve as Principal Investigator on BLM, ARPA, and state permits in the Pacific Northwest.
• Secretary of the Interior–qualified archaeologist; Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).
• Demonstrated experience leading surveys, testing, data recovery, and compliance reporting in WA/OR and broader PNW.
• Strong background with NEPA/SEPA documentation and agency-reviewed technical reports.
• Experience consulting with regulatory agencies, Tribal Nations, and project stakeholders.
• Proven leadership managing teams, deliverables, budgets, and timelines.
• Willingness to travel across the Pacific region as needed.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• Established relationships with Pacific Northwest agencies and clients.
• Experience supporting business development and expanding client accounts.
• Proficiency with field technologies (GPS, total station, ArcGIS Field Maps/Survey123).
• Previous collaboration across multidisciplinary teams (e.g., planners, biologists, engineers).

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Permit Administrator/Principal Investigator, ensuring QA/QC of cultural resource deliverables.
• Lead and oversee archaeological studies, including surveys, excavations, and construction monitoring.
• Manage and mentor a team of archaeologists, supporting hiring, development, and performance.
• Author or oversee technical studies for projects ranging from local efforts to multi-state programs.
• Partner with leadership to grow client relationships and expand market opportunities.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated environmental solutions.
• Represent ERM with clients, agencies, Tribal Nations, and project partners.
• Manage subcontractors and ensure quality, scope alignment, and schedule adherence.

The anticipated annual base pay is $105,570–$144,756 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our "boots to boardroom" approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.