Principal Archaeologist- Principal Investigator

About the opportunity

The Principal Archaeologist - Principal Investigator is responsible for providing leadership within the Cultural Resources Program by managing clients, projects, and staff within SWCA’s Rocky Mountain/Plains sub-region.  Our team of accomplished environmental and cultural resources scientists is growing, and we are looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality cultural resources compliance  addition, the successful applicant will serve as a Principal Investigator to ensure technical rigor and Section 106 Compliance.

This position will be instrumental in contributing to a robust cultural resources program that includes supporting existing clients and projects, capturing new work and clients, supervising and mentoring junior staff, encouraging teamwork and cooperation, working with other offices and sub-regions, and driving overall scientific and business excellence. This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), exempt, and salaried position reporting to our Sheridan, WY Senior Office Director.

Salary will be based on individual qualifications and experience. The position will be based out of our Sheridan, WY offices but is open to highly qualified candidates who work distributed (= remote) in other parts of Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas, or Colorado.

Final date to receive applications:
Applications will be accepted through October 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM MDT.What you will accomplish

Strategic Project Leadership:
Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.

Exemplary Leadership:
Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.

Technical Expertise &

Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.

Project Accountability:
Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA's values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.

Business Growth &

Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.

Cross-Disciplinary

Collaboration:

Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.

Mentorship & Team Development:
Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.

Relationship Management:
Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.

Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.

Performs related work as assigned. Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities Evaluate sales opportunities and lead strategic capture and proposal efforts in collaboration with the Business Development Resources team and local and regional leadership.

Recommend priority prospects, pursuits, and proposals to the Directors based on market opportunities and regional goals.

Directly supervise cultural resources project managers, technical staff, and field personnel, providing clear assignments, performance expectations, and project-specific direction.

Advise the Directors regarding staff performance, advancement, development needs, and corrective action; support completion of…