Lead Archaeological Investigator

2 weeks ago


Chicago, Illinois, United States Merjent Full time
Position Overview

Are you passionate about guiding projects from concept to execution? At Merjent, Inc., we pride ourselves on delivering environmental and safety solutions with integrity and effectiveness, fostering a collaborative and positive work atmosphere. We are looking for skilled professionals who embody these values and seek a fulfilling career that aligns with their expertise.

Role Summary

Merjent is on the lookout for three (3) full-time Principal Investigator (PI) roles across the United States to support our expanding project portfolio for energy sector clients, encompassing natural gas and oil pipelines, electric transmission, wind, solar, and various other energy initiatives.

The ideal candidates will be qualified as Secretary of Interior PIs and will oversee the cultural resources field components of our projects. These roles offer the flexibility to operate from a home office or our Minneapolis, Minnesota location.

The expected salary range for these positions is between $71,500 and $85,000, contingent upon qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

The Principal Investigator will undertake the following duties:

  • Ensure adherence to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and relevant state regulations concerning cultural resource protection.
  • Conduct thorough archival research and background record assessments.
  • Oversee and/or perform all facets of archaeological fieldwork, including Phase I surveys, Phase II testing, and Phase III mitigation, while ensuring compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA and state-specific regulations.
  • Manage project coordination and quality assurance while supervising field technicians and multiple field teams.
  • Analyze artifacts, assess resources for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and state historic property registers, and complete necessary state survey/site documentation.
  • Support clients during consultations with agencies and tribes, coordinating interactions with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO), Native American Tribes, and various state, federal, and local entities.
  • Oversee budgets, prepare proposals, reports, and technical documents, monitor field procedures, and develop Research Designs, Treatment Plans, and NEPA and NHPA reports.
  • Train, mentor, and guide junior field personnel.
  • Maintain qualifications in accordance with the guidelines for a Principal Investigator in each state where fieldwork is conducted.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful applicant will possess the following qualifications and experience:

  • A Master’s degree (MA/MS) in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field is required.
  • A minimum of three years of full-time experience as a Principal Investigator, with at least five years of experience in archaeological field surveys.
  • Preferred current technical specialization (e.g., lithic analysis, ceramics, faunal analysis).
  • Must meet the Secretary of the Interior's qualifications for a Principal Investigator in Archaeology.
  • Demonstrated experience in the archaeology of the Midwest, Northern Great Plains, Northeast, or Southeast regions of the United States.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of historic preservation laws and policies, including NEPA, NHPA, ARPA, and NAGPRA, along with regional and state SHPO standards.
  • Proficiency in using GPS units, familiarity with field collection methods, and skills in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Access databases.
  • Experience in overseeing testing and data recovery excavations.
  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% during the field season, including overnight and weekend commitments for larger projects.
  • Preferred experience in consulting services.
  • Able to manage multiple project deliverables and respond effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Preferred experience in tribal consultation, outreach, and relationship-building.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Preferred established relationships within agencies and the industry.
  • Currently qualified, or able to qualify, as a Registered Professional Archaeologist is preferred.

Merjent, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the application process are available upon request.


Merjent is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity.



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