Job Title: Archaeologist / Cultural Resource Specialist (Contract)
Job Description
This full-time contract Archaeologist role functions as a Cultural Resource Specialist, providing professional support to a historic preservation organization within a major regional power system. The position supports a Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Cultural Resource Program, coordinating closely with partner agencies to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). You will apply professional expertise in the inventory, evaluation, protection, and management of prehistoric and historic resources while balancing multiple projects and working with a wide range of internal staff, federal and state agencies, tribes, and other consulting parties.
Responsibilities
Draft and recommend plans for cultural resource fieldwork, including pedestrian surveys, subsurface testing, and site monitoring, under the oversight and approval of the program manager.
Review background research, field inventories (including subsurface testing), and resulting technical reports and deliverables to ensure they meet the requirements of state historic preservation offices, tribal historic preservation offices, and other consulting parties.
Assist in tracking, prioritizing, and monitoring numerous projects and tasks simultaneously, including tracking and monitoring program and project expenditures and alerting the appropriate manager or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to potential issues or concerns.
Evaluate cultural resources for eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with regulations implementing the National Historic Preservation Act, and draft supporting documentation for consultation with state and tribal historic preservation offices and other interested parties.
Facilitate, coordinate, and attend off-site meetings within the service territory, including preparing and distributing agendas, taking and distributing meeting notes, facilitating hybrid meetings, preparing and compiling meeting materials, and coordinating with participants from federal and state agencies and tribes; participate in multi-day travel as needed.
Participate as a team member in preparing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NHPA documents by drafting or reviewing relevant reports, forms, meeting notes, and document sections, and by identifying special cultural resource considerations and potential impacts.
Draft, edit, and review contract statements of work (SOWs) and associated deliverables for acceptance by the manager and/or CORs, ensuring clarity of scope, expectations, and outcomes.
Communicate with internal and external parties regarding FCRPS Cultural Resource Program project status, ensuring that all formal communications align with existing public policy statements, programs, and direction and are reviewed by appropriate federal personnel.
Maintain, process, and appropriately disperse or destroy electronic and hard copy records (such as compliance reports, site records, and spatial data) in accordance with federal compliance guidelines, records schedules, and Information Governance & Lifecycle Management (IGLM) standards and procedures.
Prepare and review cultural resource management plans and project plans, recommending specific actions needed for long-term cultural resource protection, including priorities, costs, and schedules for management review.
Provide expert guidance and recommendations on the compliance of proposed undertakings with federal cultural resources laws, associated regulations, utility and federal policies and guidelines, including tribal policies and guidance.
Attend and help coordinate at least 16 cultural resource-related meetings per year among partner agencies, tribes, state historic preservation offices, and land managing agencies, ensuring effective communication and follow-through on action items.
Contribute to a deadline-driven, project-oriented environment by managing time effectively, maintaining clear documentation, and supporting team communication and project management activities.
Apply strong project management, team management, project communication, and space planning/space management skills to support the effective organization and execution of cultural resource activities.
Essential Skills
Bachelor of Arts or Science in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a directly related field is required.
Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a directly related field is preferred.
At least 5 years of professional work experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration, or management with an applicable Bachelor's or Master's degree.
Minimum of 6 months of supervised archaeological field and analytic experience within the service territory (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Wyoming).
Working knowledge of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), including demonstrated experience with and/or knowledge of Section 106 compliance processes.
Extensive experience conducting archaeological field inventories, including pedestrian surveys and subsurface testing, and producing written technical reports.
Ability to evaluate cultural resources for National Register of Historic Places eligibility and prepare supporting documentation for consultation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to draft reports, SOWs, meeting notes, and formal correspondence that align with federal policies.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and tasks concurrently, including tracking schedules and expenditures in a deadline-driven environment.
Proficiency in project management, team management, project communication, and space planning/space management.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
Capacity to travel for multi-day meetings and site visits within the service territory as required.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Archaeological experience within the Columbia River and Snake River Basin.
Knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and experience contributing to NEPA documentation.
Understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including working knowledge of ArcGIS Pro, and familiarity with GPS technology.
Knowledge of reservoir impacts to historic properties, electrical transmission systems, and fish and wildlife mitigation programs.
Experience working with state historic preservation offices, tribal historic preservation offices, and other consulting parties on cultural resource issues.
Experience drafting and reviewing contract statements of work (SOWs) and managing associated deliverables.
Familiarity with federal records management requirements and Information Governance & Lifecycle Management (IGLM) standards.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for maintaining records, tracking projects, and preparing meeting materials.
Ability to facilitate hybrid meetings, including managing agendas, notes, and materials for participants across multiple agencies.
Work Environment
The role supports an environmental and historic preservation organization that obtains information on cultural, historic, and archaeological resources potentially affected by ongoing operations of a major regional power system, transmission line maintenance, and fish and wildlife habitat restoration programs. The organization uses a variety of systems to record, maintain, and track information for analyses, consultations, and reporting in accordance with federal and state laws. The position is semi-active, combining travel to meetings and site visits with a collaborative office environment. The office is generally slower-paced, with a somewhat flexible schedule depending on department needs (for example, a 7:00 a.m. start instead of 8:00 a.m.), and business casual attire is typical. Work often involves waiting on approvals, signatures, and paperwork from multiple parties, and requires an independent work style with limited direct supervision. The culture values problem solvers who can work autonomously yet feel comfortable collaborating as part of a team, and emphasizes work-life balance within a deadline-driven setting. Benefits available through the staffing provider include paid federal holidays, vacation and sick time accrual, health benefits with HSA contribution, and a signing bonus structure, contributing to an attractive and supportive work environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Portland, OR.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $42.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Portland,OR.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 12, 2026.
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