Senior Archaeologist

Location(s): Florida
Work Environment: Field / Remote
Compensation: $130,000-$150,000 annually*

 
Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies. 

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.  

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. 

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape. 

Who You Are 

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.  

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation. 

How You’ll Make an Impact 

The Senior Archaeologist serves as a senior technical expert responsible for leading and overseeing complex archaeological investigations while advancing innovation in cultural resource management (CRM). This role provides strategic and technical leadership across all phases of archaeological projects, ensuring scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and the application of industry best practices. The Archaeologist V develops and implements advanced research methodologies, drives the integration of emerging technologies into fieldwork, analysis, and reporting, and leverages data-driven approaches to enhance project outcomes.

As a recognized subject matter expert, the Archaeologist V influences technical strategy, strengthens methodological standards, and guides critical decision making on complex cultural resource issues. In addition, this role plays a key part in mentoring and developing staff, fostering technical excellence across teams, and supporting the successful execution of strategic initiatives and high-profile projects. Through leadership, innovation, and expertise, the Archaeologist V helps shape organizational capabilities and contributes to the advancement of the archaeological profession.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Strategy and Field Methodologies

• Leads the design and execution of sophisticated archaeological field surveys, excavations, and site assessments.
• Spearheads the development and application of geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS), LiDAR, photogrammetry, and remote sensing, for enhanced site analysis and predictive modeling.
• Innovates artifact recovery, documentation, and conservation methodologies to improve data integrity and analytical accuracy.
• Oversees quality control processes to ensure standardization and precision in field data collection and documentation.

Advanced Data Analysis and Research

• Directs high-level statistical and geospatial analysis to refine interpretations of archaeological findings.
• Develops and refines predictive modeling techniques for site sensitivity assessments and CRM planning.
• Integrates multidisciplinary data sources, including environmental, geological, and hydrological datasets, to strengthen archaeological interpretations.
• Leads advanced material composition studies, use-wear analysis, and artifact provenance research.

Regulatory Compliance and Industry Leadership

• Ensures technical reports and project deliverables meet or exceed federal, state, and local regulatory standards, including National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Protection Act, and California Environmental Quality Act compliance.
• Provides expert consultation on regulatory strategy and compliance approaches for complex projects.
• Engages with industry groups, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations to influence best practices and emerging standards in CRM.

Technical Reporting and Documentation

• Oversees the development of high-quality technical reports, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and methodological rigor.
• Establishes and maintains best practices for archaeological documentation, data management, and reporting protocols.
• Has advanced understanding of technical responsibilities for most regional, state, and federal regulatory conditions.
• Contributes to publications, technical white papers, and professional conference presentations to advance industry knowledge.

Mentorship, Training and Innovation

• Provides leadership and mentorship to archaeological staff, fostering technical expertise and professional growth.
• Develops and implements internal training programs on emerging archaeological technologies, methodologies, and regulatory trends.
• Leads workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance technical competencies across project teams.
• Champions the adoption of innovative digital tools, such as machine learning applications in archaeology and automation of data processing workflows.

Business Development

• Acts as seller-doer, capable of helping existing work translate into winning additional work and cross-selling services.
• Understands the technical details of projects and analysis and level of effort needed to meet specific project, regulatory, and best practice requirements.
• May require direct communication with clients and/or integrating in a proposal.

Project Management

• Guides or strongly informs team's specific technical objectives and related level of effort to meet regulatory requirements and/or preestablished standards.
• Capable of tracking the status of phases and interpreting billings of staff with support of project manager, if needed, as well as developing proposal costs and schedules for completion of work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 18+ years' experience in archaeological fieldwork, technical research, and CRM.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in GIS, LiDAR, remote sensing, and digital mapping technologies.
• Strong background in statistical and spatial analysis for archaeological data interpretation.
• Excellent technical writing and documentation skills, with a focus on data-driven reporting.
• Ability to mentor and train junior staff in technical and methodological aspects of archaeology.
• Experience working with indigenous communities and facilitating tribal consultation processes.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret cultural findings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage tasks, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior staff.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork, often in remote locations and challenging conditions.

Compensation: $130,000-$150,000 annually* 

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment. 

Working Conditions 

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc. 
• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following: 

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting. 

• Employees must be capable of bending, squatting, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 35 lbs. unassisted; 50lbs in a team lift (two or more employees). 

• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually as well as speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others. Speaking, hearing and listening are required. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 
• Outdoor activity may involve walking/trekking in uneven terrain over long distances in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time. 

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Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.  

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.