Working Title: Cultural Resource Archeologist
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator
Agency: Transportation Dept
Job ID : 89137
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 09/24/2025
Closing Date : 10/14/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Transportation Dept / Transportation-MAPE
Division/Unit : Environmental Services / Environmental Stewardship
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $37.26 - $55.42 / hourly; $77,798 - $115,716 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
This position is located at Central Office in St. Paul and may have the flexibility to telework, work a hybrid schedule, or work in the office. The incumbent will be required to make a telework arrangement with their supervisor. The incumbent will be expected to work in the office as determined by policy and discussion with their supervisor.
This archaeologist position exists to direct and to perform cultural resources reviews for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded and MnDOT funded projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Minnesota State Statutes. The individual in this position will conduct statewide cultural resources consultation, contract management, training and liaison activities related to FHWA funded (both state and local) and MnDOT funded projects and permit reviews. This involves communication with consultants, the FHWA, MnDOT offices and districts, local project proposers, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPO), and members of the public. The individual in this position will manage Section 106 reviews for federal undertakings and MnDOT projects including delineating the area of potential effect, conducting inventory and evaluation of historic properties, assessing effects to historic properties, and developing agreements for the mitigation of effects. They will complete contract management tasks and direct consultants. The individual in this position works to ensure compliance with federal and state historic preservation laws, rules, procedures and policies that must be satisfied for transportation projects within the state of Minnesota.
MnDOT does not sponsor applicants for visas or Optional Practical Exam for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the US at the start of employment.
Minimum Qualifications
Must meet the federal requirements for an archaeologist as outlined in 36 CFR 61: the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards. These include:
Must have a graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field, plus:
At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration, or management;
At least four months of supervised field and analytical experience in general North American archaeology; and
Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.
NOTE: a professional in prehistoric archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archaeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the historic period.
In addition to meeting the federal requirements, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Three (3) years advanced professional experience in archaeological work in the following areas:
Of those three years of experience, two (2) years should be serving as a Principal Investigator in: conducting archaeological field surveys and testing on Pre-Contact sites; evaluating Pre-Contact sites and other historic properties for eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; report writing; working with consulting parties; and developing and implementing policies and procedures for reviewing various @types of projects for compliance with applicable state and federal laws; and experiencing developing or working with the terms of a Section 106 agreement (MOA or PA).
Experience working within federal historical procedures and guidelines related to cultural resources reviews, especially Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966.
Experience interpreting Minnesota Field Archaeology Act, the Minnesota Historic Sites Act, and the Minnesota Private Cemeteries Act.
Experience with project management and contract management.
Experience with written and oral communication sufficient to send complex information to stakeholders, present project information at meetings, etc.
Experience in GIS including ArcMap, ArcPro, or ArcGIS Online Systems, including understanding coordinate systems, projections, data conversion, data extraction, buffering, overlay analysis, queries, data creation and editing.
Preferred Qualifications
5 years as a Principal Investigator.
Experience with upper Midwest investigation work.
Experience and expertise in Post-Contact era archaeology.
Knowledge of ArcGIS
Prior experience working in a regulatory role overseeing the implementation of Section 106 regulations, such as in another DOT Cultural Resources unit, a State/Tribal Historic Preservation Office, or federal agency.
Experience with working collaboratively and consulting with tribes on issues related to cultural resources, especially Minnesota resident tribes or tribes with an interest in projects in Minnesota.
Additional Requirements
REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS:
Successful candidate must pass past-employer reference checks and criminal history check
It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
SEMA4 Records Check
Criminal History Check
Employment Reference Check
Education/License Verification
Drug testing (if needed)
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
