Field Director - Archaeologist

Take Your Cultural Resources Career to the Next Level

Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!

Cultural Resources professionals work on exciting projects involving the identification, preservation, and management of historic, archaeological, and culturally significant sites and resources. They help to ensure that roads, bridges, pipelines, buildings, and other development projects do not accidentally damage important historical sites, archaeological artifacts, cemeteries, or places that have cultural significance to communities and tribes.

Klienfelder is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated Archaeological Survey Field Director to lead and oversee archaeological survey projects that support responsible development, resource stewardship, and cultural heritage preservation. This role offers an exciting opportunity to manage field investigations, mentor archaeological professionals, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to meaningful projects throughout diverse geographic regions.

The Archaeological Survey Field Director serves as a trusted technical leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional client service, maintaining scientific excellence, and promoting a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous learning. Successful candidates will thrive in a dynamic environment where innovation, professionalism, and respect for cultural resources are highly valued.

• Independently evaluates and selects the most appropriate archaeological and technical methods for field operations, applying judgment to adapt standard procedures to meet specific project goals and challenges.
• Provides on-site guidance to field teams, ensuring the successful execution of archaeological surveys, excavations, and monitoring activities, while prioritizing safety and project quality.
• Assists in coordinating logistics, schedules, and resources for archaeological field operations, ensuring all required equipment, tools, and materials are available, functional, and prepared for fieldwork.
• Collects and records archaeological field data with high precision, ensuring complete compliance with project specifications, archaeological standards, and regulatory guidelines.
• Supports the resolution of field challenges by applying advanced archaeological knowledge and assisting in adjusting methodologies or techniques as directed.
• Ensures strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental protocols during all field activities, participating in safety briefings and helping to monitor team compliance, and addressing any safety concerns promptly.
• Provides guidance to junior field staff, providing guidance on archaeological field methods, safety protocols, and best practices to enhance team skill levels and performance.
• Prepares and maintains comprehensive field reports, documenting procedures, field data, and findings with clarity and attention to detail.
• Assists in preliminary data analysis for incorporation into project reports or publications.
• Communicates regularly with project managers and senior supervisors, providing detailed updates on field progress, data collection status, emerging challenges, and adjustments to project timelines.
• Collaborates with project teams to integrate field data into the overall archaeological research framework, ensuring alignment with project objectives and maintaining data quality.
• Contributes technical expertise to the preparation of project proposals and research plans, providing insight into field operations, logistics, and methodologies for the successful execution of archaeological projects.

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology/Anthropology or related field.
5+ years of archaeological survey and CRM experience.

Demonstrated experience leading archaeological field crews.

Knowledge of Section 106 and cultural resource compliance requirements.

Experience preparing and reviewing archaeological technical reports and field documentation.

Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.

Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an inclusive…