Senior Archaeologist

Job Details

Job Location:

Ridgefield, WA 98642
Position Type:
Full Time
Salary Range: $94,536.00 - $ per year

Serves as a Principal Investigator and senior leader, providing strategic direction and oversight for cultural stewardship and archaeological research projects. Leads the planning, management, and execution of Cultural Stewardship Program contracts, ensuring projects are completed in accordance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and Tribal priorities. Supervises and mentors staff, oversees projects of varying scope and complexity, and provides technical expertise in cultural resource management and archaeological investigations.

Supports the Cultural Stewardship Program Manager in advancing departmental goals through client engagement, proposal preparation, relationship management, and budget development. Contributes to the long‑term success and sustainability of the Cultural Resources Department while honoring and promoting the mission, vision, and values of Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Cultural Resources Department.

• Serves as the Principal Investigator for assigned projects.
• Leads projects of varying size and complexity, ensuring completion within budget, on schedule, and in accordance with contract scope.
• Conducts research independently and in accordance with professional standards, requiring minimal supervision.
• Leads project personnel, field and research crews, and assigned staff members.
• Analyzes research data and prepares professional‑quality reports.
• Manages responsibilities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Prepares proposals and budgets and assists staff with their development.
• Travels as needed to support project execution.
• Serves as lead author in the preparation and editing of research reports.
• Compiles, enters, manages, and utilizes research data within database systems.
• Provides training and supervision to personnel on research methodologies and reporting procedures as needed.
• Performs documentary and field research.
• Designs and conducts archaeological field investigations, including survey, testing, and monitoring.
• Participates in the assessment and determination of sites for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
• Provides technical guidance to junior authors on associated technical reports with standard forms, photos, and maps created using GISpro software.
• Prepares artifacts for curation and assists with cultural research as needed.
• Attends meetings on behalf of the department.
• Maintains all records according to department standards, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains the confidentiality of program files, historic documentation, and archival material.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co‑workers, tribal members and administrators, state and federal governments, contractors, public officials, and the general public.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of federal, state, local and tribal laws and regulations that govern historic preservation and environmental requirements.
• Knowledge of tribal governments, Cowlitz Tribal history, and Cowlitz ethnographic landscape.
• Knowledge of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, NEPA, NAGPRA, ARPA, and other applicable cultural resource laws, regulations, and consultation processes.
• Knowledge of proposal preparation, scope development, project budgeting, and contract administration for cultural resource projects.
• Knowledge of archaeological survey, testing, monitoring, excavation, and documentation methodologies, including pedestrian survey and shovel testing techniques.
• Ability to plan, manage, and oversee multiple cultural resource projects, including budgets, schedules, staff assignments, client communication, regulatory compliance, and project deliverables.
• Ability to lead, train, mentor, and provide technical direction to cultural resources staff, field crews, and research personnel.
• Ability to operate various word‑processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Ability to…