Build your archaeology career while helping shape responsible, sustainable development across California and beyond.
ERM is seeking highly motivated Consulting Senior Associate, Archaeologists to join our Cultural Resources Services team in Irvine and Walnut Creek, California . This salaried, full-time position offers the opportunity to support archaeological and cultural heritage projects for private- and public-sector clients throughout the United States, applying your field, research, and technical skills to projects where cultural resource stewardship and regulatory compliance matter.
Why This Role Matters?
As part of ERM’s Cultural Resources Services team, you will contribute to archaeological desk and field studies that help clients understand, manage, and protect cultural resources while navigating applicable federal, state, and municipal requirements. California archaeological field experience is highly desired.
This role is well suited to someone who is flexible and responsive in a challenging and changing work environment, where schedules and tasks may fluctuate according to project and client needs.
What Your Impact Is
Support and lead archaeological studies that guide environmental decision-making
Evaluate and document cultural resources for NRHP eligibility and Section 106 compliance
Contribute to high-quality technical reports that influence project approvals
Partner with clients, agencies, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver defensible, compliant outcomes
Help strengthen ERM’s presence and reputation in archaeology and cultural heritage consulting
What You’ll Bring
Required
Bachelors degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field; or equivalent experience
1-2+ years of archaeological field and reporting experience
Demonstrated experience leading surveys, testing, or data recovery projects
Experience authoring or co-authoring agency-reviewed technical reports
Working knowledge of NHPA Section 106, NRHP criteria, and regional regulatory frameworks
Ability to work independently or collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
Willingness to travel across the U.S. and perform fieldwork up to 75% during peak season
Physical ability to work in demanding field conditions (e.g., long hikes up to 10 miles per day, variable weather, lifting up to 50 lbs., wildlife encounters)
Experience with field technologies (e.g., GPS, GIS tools such as ArcGIS FieldMaps or Survey123)
Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.
Preferred
Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) designation
Knowledge of prehistoric and historic artifact assemblages
Experience with historic structures
Strong initiative and a self-directed, adaptable work style
Key Responsibilities
Prepare portions of technical reporting for desktop-level or field-based cultural resources investigations or impact assessments, including contributing to cultural resources sections of larger federal and state environmental documents.
Coordinate and participate in field investigations, including reconnaissance- and pedestrian-level surveys, testing/excavations, and construction monitoring for cultural resources.
Interact with various State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO).
Interact with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Perform research and author portions of technical reports under the supervision of principal investigators, project managers, and partners.
Communicate with senior staff and teaming partners to support environmental analyses.
Provide technical consulting skills to support the growth of ERM’s business and client base in the area of archaeology and cultural heritage
Collaborate with different multi-disciplinary teams consisting of environmental planners, biologists, wetland specialists,…