Principal Investigator (Terrestrial Archaeology - Southwest)

Job Title: Principal Investigator (Terrestrial Archaeology – Southwest)
Job Location: Remote - Southwestern US
Job Code: PI-SW-2025
Job Link: SEARCH Job Postings - Direct Applications

Position Information

SEARCH is seeking a Principal Investigator to support in driving the success of projects and staff in the Southwest region of the United States.

Successful candidates will have a background in cultural resource management and experience managing archaeological projects. The candidate should have excellent technical writing skills and the ability to produce reports for review by subject matter experts on behalf of federal, state, and tribal agencies under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, among other historic preservation laws/regulations.

The position responsibilities include coordinating field, research, and lab tasks, as well as report preparation; working with the crew to ensure fieldwork is executed in a timely fashion and meets the applicable standards; writing high quality technical reports; quality control/assurance of technical reports; managing project staff; and coordinating the development of project Health & Safety plans. The candidate should be detail-oriented and organized, work well with others, and be able to work efficiently on simultaneous projects under tight deadlines. Excellent verbal and written communication, the ability to work autonomously and in a team environment, and the ability to travel are critical to the position.

This is a full-time salaried position that may be either be remote or office-based, depending on the candidate’s location and preference. We provide a flexible work environment, a professional and collaborative atmosphere, and a wide range of projects and opportunities for our staff. SEARCH offers a competitive total compensation package with strong health and wellness and retirement plans. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, group term life insurance, 401(k) plan with match, 10 paid holidays per year, and unlimited paid time off (PTO). Pay is commensurate with education and experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expertise regarding field strategies, research, and regulatory requirements at the state, regional, and federal levels.
• Prepare research designs and build research teams.
• Oversee research, fieldwork, data analysis, report preparation, and other tasks to ensure that the research goals, budgets, schedules, and contract requirements of each project are met.
• Recommend and deploy state-of-the-art technology and methodology.
• Serve as the primary author and researcher on technical reports.
• Ensure research quality, research integrity, and original authorship of all project deliverables.
• Prepare research articles, papers, and presentations for academic and industry venues.
• Conduct field visits and occasional archaeological fieldwork.
• Develop project proposals, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Train and mentor archaeologists and report authors.
• Maintain the highest professional standards.
• Maintain strong project team relationships.
• Develop and manage agency and client relationships.
• Communicate project developments to the project team, company leadership, and clients.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications Required:

• Master’s degree in Anthropology or related field.
• Based in southwestern, U.S.
• Minimum five (5) years of supervisory experience encompassing time in field, laboratory, and office.
• Must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualifications standards for archaeology and be an RPA or be eligible to become an RPA.
• Expertise in state and federal laws and guidelines governing cultural resources management.
• Strong Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and/or New Mexico archaeological experience.
• Demonstrated ability to support projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cultural resource studies in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrated client management skills.
• Superior technical writing skillset to produce high quality technical reports and to prepare awardable proposals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Permitted or qualified for agency permitting.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Demonstrative experience obtaining permits across Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.