Archaeologist

About the Role

The Archaeologist supports capital projects by identifying and protecting cultural resources through research, surveys, tribal consultation, and regulatory compliance. They integrate findings into design and permitting, monitor construction, manage consultant work, provide staff training, and coordinate countywide processes to ensure consistent, effective cultural resource protection. In this role, they will work closely with Capital Project teams, project sponsors, the King County Historic Preservation Program, tribes and resource agencies to help identify and protect cultural resources while restoring watershed health throughout the county.

• Cultural Resource Evaluations and Identification:
  Conduct archival research, field surveys and consultation with tribal and cultural resource experts to identify and characterize potential cultural and/or historic resources on capital project sites.
• Document findings and where necessary define appropriate protections and/or mitigation to avoid impacts to identified resources in compliance with federal, state, tribal, and local regulations (e.g., Section 106, NEPA, state statutes, KC Executive Cultural Resources Policy and Procedures).
• Design and Permitting Support:
  Integrate cultural resource considerations into project design by coordinating with project team members, the King County Historic Preservation Program, tribal staff and regulatory agencies. Prepare technical reports, permit documentation, and avoidance or mitigation strategies to support timely approvals.
• Construction Monitoring and Resource Protection:
  Provide archaeological monitoring during ground-disturbing activities, implement inadvertent discovery protocols, coordinate with construction teams, and document findings to ensure resource protection while minimizing project delays.
• Provide training and support to WLRD staff on cultural resource topics and applicable laws, policy and guidelines. Help scope, negotiate and manage cultural resources consultant contracts to support capital delivery teams. Review consultant deliverables for content and accuracy and concurrence with recommendations.
• Work closely with HPP staff and cultural resource professionals across DNRP to establish consistent processes and procedures that make review, coordination and protection of cultural resources more effective, timely and predictable.

• Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or Cultural Resource Management in accordance with Secretary of Interior standards for professional archaeologists.
• Two (2) years of full-time professional work experience as an archaeologist performing office and field work, including cultural and historical aspects of Native American Tribes of the Northwest.
• Knowledge of relevant state and federal regulations, standards, and procedures related to historic preservation and cultural resource management.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) development and implementation, including Environmental Systems Research Institute programs like ArcGIS.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity, social justice principles, and environmental justice.

• Manages Complexity:
  Making sense of complex, high-quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented:
  Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Communicates Effectively:
  Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Plans and Aligns:
  Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Persuades:
  Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others.

• Geoarchaeology
• Human Osteology
• Historic Archaeology
• Built Environment Evaluation
• Traditional Cultural Properties
• Lithic Analysis
• Faunal Analysis
• Archaeobotanical Properties
• Remote Sensing

• Work…