Principal Investigator (Terrestrial Archaeology - Mid Atlantic)

Title: Principal Investigator
Location: Mid-Atlantic Region
Job Code: PIMA-24
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 Mid-Atlantic 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.

In this role, the successful candidate will:

• 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; and
• Support other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications Required:

• Graduate degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field. 
• Based in the mid-Atlantic region.
• 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/be eligible to become an RPA;
• Expert in the archaeology of the mid-Atlantic Unites States, and well versed in state and federal laws and guidelines governing cultural resources management;
• Well versed in Mid-Atlantic SHPO guidelines;
• Experience in cultural resource management and the preparation of deliverables for clients in the Mid-Atlantic region;
• Superior technical writing skillset to produce high quality technical reports and to prepare awardable proposals;
• Demonstrated ability to support projects in a timely and cost-effective manner;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Strong proposal writing skills;
• Based in the Mid-Atlantic, U.S.;
• Ability to travel; and
• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Understanding of the Cultural Resource Management (CRM) industry (firms, clients, contracts, new research, and projects) at the regionwide, nationwide, and worldwide level.
• Seven (7) years of professional archaeological experience. 
• Based in Virginia or Maryland.
• Strong background working in commercial and government sectors.
  

Physical Demands:

To successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the job, the employee should have the ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including: 

• Hear normal conversations and receive ordinary information.
• Communicate verbally and in writing.
• Use average and ordinary visual acuity necessary to excavate and inspect artifacts and distinguish features.
• Carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Sit for extended periods during travel or in an office.

Application Requirements:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 3 Professional references
• Writing samples (if a collaborative report, identify sections authored)
• Please send all inquiries and supplementary materials to jorge.quintana@searchinc.com. Include the Job Posting code (PIMA-24) in the subject line of your email.

Other Important Need-To-Know Information

• This position will require flexible availability outside of standard working hours.
• Applicants must have a valid Driver’s License, clean driving record, and reliable transportation.
• Applicants must be eligible to be employed in the United States and ability to obtain government security clearance. 
• Pay is commensurate with education and experience.
• SEARCH is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where a variety of backgrounds, cultures, orientations, ideas, and talents can flourish.
• SEARCH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• SEARCH is an Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.
• Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory verification of criminal, education, driving, and/or employment background checks as well as passing results from a pre-employment drug screen.

About SEARCH:

Overland and underwater, SEARCH is an archaeology firm that deploys the full spectrum of cultural heritage services worldwide. SEARCH2O, its maritime program, is at the forefront of historic shipwreck and submerged pre-contact archaeology, paleolandscape reconstruction, and deep-water archaeology. SEARCH’s staff are cultural resources industry leaders, pioneers, and subject matter experts across 45 Market, Regional, and Research Sectors. Since 1993, SEARCH has completed more than 4,500 commercial and government projects in 48 US states, 6 US territories, and 36 countries spanning 7 continents and 4 oceans. By integrating science, technology, and creativity, SEARCH harnesses the power of the past to advance the projects, places, and people it serves.  

For more information about SEARCH, please visit www.searchinc.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.   

Benefits

SEARCH Compensation and Benefits include:

• Competitive Salary
• Per Diem (for overnight travel)
• SEARCH-subsidized Group Health Insurance (including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage)
• SEARCH-provided Short-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Long-Term Disability Insurance
• SEARCH-provided Group Term Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Generous 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays (10)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Merit-Based Raises, Bonuses, and Promotions