Are you an experienced archaeologist passionate about preserving cultural heritage while navigating complex regulatory landscapes? Join ERM’s global consulting team and make an impact on projects that matter—where your expertise drives sustainable solutions and shapes the way industries respect history.

Why This Role Matters

At ERM, we help clients balance progress with preservation. As a Consultant, Archaeologist, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring cultural resources are protected while supporting infrastructure and development projects across California and beyond. Your work will influence decisions that safeguard heritage for generations. This is a hybrid role based in Irvine, CA (60% desktop / 40% fieldwork, occasional weekends).

What Your Impact Is

• Deliver expert guidance on cultural resource compliance for federal, state, and municipal regulations.

• Conduct archaeological research and field studies that inform environmental and cultural stewardship.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate cultural heritage considerations into large-scale projects.

• Build trusted relationships with clients, helping them achieve regulatory compliance and sustainability goals.

What You'll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or related field. Or equivalent experience.

• 2+ years of professional experience in West Coast regional cultural areas.

• Located in Southern California and willing to perform field work.

• Strong knowledge of California regulatory processes (NHPA Section 106, NEPA, state laws).

• Ability to travel frequently and perform fieldwork, including walking up to 10 miles/day and lifting 50 lbs.

• 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.

• Experience with mapping equipment (GPS, total station) and online databases (AGOL).

• Proven ability to complete inventory, survey, testing, and data recovery.

• Excellent technical writing, communication, and Microsoft Office skills.

• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred:

• Eligibility for BLM cultural resources use permits.

• Previous experience with utility projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and write cultural resource components for environmental compliance documents.

• Conduct literature reviews, field reconnaissance, surveys, and excavations.

• Access and analyze cultural resource databases.

• Prepare detailed technical reports with precision and clarity.

• Collaborate across ERM practice areas to deliver integrated solutions.

• Support business growth through technical expertise and client engagement.

For the Consultant, Archaeologist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $73,207 – $95,761 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. Based on review of these responses, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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