Archaeologist

ESA is currently seeking a qualified Archaeologist with 2+ years of experience to manage projects and perform archaeological fieldwork for a growing group of cultural resources specialists within our Southern California Cultural Resources Group. The selected candidate will manage and carry out archaeological research, survey, and assist with technical document preparation on a wide range of interesting projects throughout the region and practice and will be part of an interdisciplinary team that includes staff from our across ESA’s practices.  Candidates must be local to the Southern CA area for on-site field work as needed.  Preference given to candidates able to work in one of our Southern CA ESA offices in a hybrid capacity as needed.  Candidates who are able to travel for field work will be given priority.

Who You Are 

The successful candidate will have excellent field, writing, time/budget management, and organizational capabilities; experience with archaeological survey and testing projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of prehistoric and historic-period archaeological resources 

Candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or closely related field and possess the ability participate and co-lead field crews and assist in the production of well-written and technically supported cultural resources documents.  Candidates with a graduate degree will be given priority. This position requires an ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time and within budget in a fast-paced work environment. Excellent organizational and strong problem-solving skills required.  Must have valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle to perform survey and other work-related tasks. 

You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some early morning, late night and/or weekend work, as well as long hours may be required. You may be required to provide a writing sample. 

What You Will Do for ESA

• Conduct archaeological resources assessments. 
• Perform archaeological resources surveys. 
• Co-write archaeological resources portions of multi-disciplinary projects engaged as part of a larger team of varied experts.  
• Conduct archival research, archaeological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting CEQA requirements.  
• Basic understanding of CEQA; some understanding of NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.  
• Serve as junior author of archaeological resource assessment reports and MND and EIR sections.  
• Assist with drafting scopes of work and budgets for small and mid-size projects and for selected tasks on large projects. 
• Communicate with senior staff and teaming partners to support environmental analyses and permit compliance. 
• Collaborate with architectural historians, paleontologists, and other specialists and incorporate work products into technical reports. 

What’s Special About Our Team

Our Cultural Resources Team includes prehistoric and historical archaeologists, geoarchaeological specialists, tribal consultation specialists, architectural historians, historians, and paleontologists that provide expertise for many local, state, and federal agencies throughout California. Our work matters because we assist agencies in ensuring that our nation’s history and that of the tribal communities, we work with are protected where possible and treated with respect when projects encroach on resources. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

Who We Are 

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients. 

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies. 

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)