Archaeologist-Mid-Level

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is looking for an Archaeologist in the Sacramento area with 5+ years of experience performing cultural resources monitoring, surveys, testing, and data recovery, recordation of archaeological and historic architectural resources, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation. The ideal candidate shall manage projects for a growing group of cultural resources specialists within our Northern California Cultural Resources Group. The selected candidate will manage and carry out archaeological investigations and technical document preparation on a wide range of interesting projects throughout the region and practice and will be part of an interdisciplinary team that includes staff from our Water, Energy, Community Development, Transportation, and Airports practices. The successful candidate will be available to work a hybrid schedule and spend approximately 3 days per week in ESA’s Northern California office, Sacramento.One of our other Northern California offices is also a possibility: Petaluma, San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose.

Who You Are

• The successful candidate will have: excellent technical skills, writing, time/budget management, and organizational capabilities; agency coordination and client service experience; proficiency in management of archaeological and tribal resources within the context of CEQA, NEPA, and Section 106; experience conducting CHRIS records searches, experience with leading archaeological survey and testing projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of Native American and historic-period archaeological resources; and experience preparing MND and EIR sections and developing mitigation. GIS experience is a plus.
• Candidates would hold a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or closely related field and possess the ability to lead survey crews and produce well-written and technically supported cultural resources documents. This position requires an ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time and within budget in a fast-paced work environment. Excellent organizational and strong problem-solving skills required.
• The candidate will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the delivery of high-quality work products. Preference for candidates who have the knowledge and skillset to mentor junior staff members.
• Candidates should be confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, extensive field work and site visits in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. Fieldwork is anticipated to be up to one week per month.
• Must have valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle to perform survey and other work-related tasks.

What You Will Do for ESA

• Independently manage and conduct archaeological resources assessments.
• Lead archaeological resources survey.
• Lead archaeological resources portions of multi-disciplinary projects engaged as part of a larger team of varied experts.
• Manage and conduct archival research, development of historic and cultural contexts, archaeological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting CEQA and Section 106 requirements.
• Strong understanding of CEQA and Section 106; some understanding of NEPA.
• Serve as primary author of archaeological resource assessment reports and MND and EIR sections.
• Receive minimal direction for most tasks and receive direction on unusual or difficult assignments.
• Supervision of small project teams.
• Participate in and/or lead client meetings.
• Prepare draft scopes of work and budgets for small and mid-size projects and for selected tasks on large projects.
• Communicate with senior staff and teaming partners to support environmental analyses and permit compliance.
• Collaborate with architectural historians, paleontologists, and other specialists and incorporate work products into technical reports.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family); annual allocations of company shares through our ESOP; a 401(k) plan with company match; and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also offer specific programs to support you when you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

What’s Special About Our California Cultural Resources Team

Our Cultural Resources Team includes pre-contact and historical archaeologists, geoarchaeological specialists, tribal consultation specialists, architectural historians, historians, and paleontologists that provide expertise for many local, state, and federal agencies throughout California. Our work matters because we assist agencies in ensuring that our nation’s history and that of the tribal communities with whom we work are protected where possible and treated with respect. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.