Senior Cultural Resources Project Manager

Overview

GAI Consultants, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Cultural Resources Project Manager to lead and manage complex cultural resources impact assessments, permitting, and regulatory compliance efforts for projects in the greater Southwest US region (Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas). Responsibilities span project lifecycle management—from siting/routing and CEQA/NEPA compliance to agency/tribal coordination and construction support—while ensuring adherence to related regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of obtaining archaeological permits, managing field surveys, authoring and reviewing cultural resources assessments/plans, navigating Section 106 compliance, Section 404 permitting, Native American consultation/coordination, and managing construction compliance monitoring for projects on time and within budget.

• Lead cultural resource management strategy across the full project lifecycle for compliance under Section 106 of the NHPA: preliminary routing/siting, CEQA/NEPA analysis, and construction compliance.
• Serve as the primary client contact and agency liaison focused on advancing a project forward, including engaging and negotiating regulatory compliance pathways under Section 106 of the NHPA, CEQA/NEPA, and agency-specific agreement documents/permits with federal agencies (e.g., US Forest Service and BLM).
• Prepare, submit, and track archaeological investigations; records reviews, archival research, ethnographic research; manage field surveys, testing, data recoveries/mitigations, and associated technical report writing; conduct agency and Tribal consultations related to these efforts.
• Document large-scale inventories for multi-year projects and lead related agency and Tribal coordination under local, state, and federal regulations.
• Apply CEQA and NEPA concepts as related to cultural resources and Section 106 NHPA to identify project risks and negotiate complex mitigation strategies with agencies and stakeholders.
• Manage GAI technical personnel and field teams (including subconsultants) related to cultural resources tasks, and supervise budgets, schedules, and QA/QC to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
• Support business development: identify opportunities, contribute to proposals, participate in interviews, and help grow accounts across markets.
• Mentor and train junior and mid-level cultural resources staff.

• Master's or doctorate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in cultural resources studies with expertise in environmental impacts analysis, siting/routing studies, CEQA/NEPA documentation, and agency/Tribal coordination (e.g., BLM, US Army Corps of Engineers, FERC).
• Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering multiple complex cultural resource projects on time and on budget using in-house and subconsultant staff.
• Excellent writing skills with proven ability to author, manage, and review technical reports supporting regulatory compliance.
• Advanced understanding of multidisciplinary aspects within the cultural resource field (history, archaeology, historic architecture, ethnography, archives).
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state cultural resource laws and regulations, including NHPA, ARPA, CEQA, and NEPA.
• Extensive project experience and regulatory knowledge of archaeological issues and methodologies in the Southwestern US (Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas).
• Proven success in business development leading to sales generation and new client relationships in environmental consulting.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, both in office and remotely, using interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to project sites, GAI offices, events, and meetings; maintain a valid driver’s license.

• Consultant experience with…