Laboratory Analyst/Archaeologist

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is looking for a Laboratory Analyst/Archaeologist in the San Francisco Bay Area with 2–7 years of experience performing cultural resources museum archaeology collections management, artifact processing, cleaning, research and writing, cataloging, accession, and curation preparation. Ideal candidates may also have experience performing archaeological monitoring, surveys, testing and data recovery, recordation of archaeological and historic architectural resources, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation.

This is a full-time project-based hire dedicated to the California Highspeed Rail (CHSR) which may last for up to 2 years.  The opportunity for continued employment with will be discussed/revisited at the completion of said project.  This is a lab-based role which requires in-office 5 days a week attendance in our Richmond/Oakland Laboratory.  Writing assignments and/or additional document submission may be required as a step in the interview process to ensure CHSR resume approval.

Who You Are 

ESA is currently seeking a highly qualified and experienced Laboratory Analyst/Archaeologist to manage collections and complete laboratory analysis for archaeological artifacts collected during data recovery projects for a growing group of cultural resources specialists within our Northern California Cultural Resources Group. The selected candidate’s primary duties will be to manage archaeological collections in ESA’s Richmond laboratory including artifact processing, cleaning, research, cataloging, accession, and curation preparation for a large collection of historical period artifacts recovered in Fresno’s historic downtown areas during data recovery for the California High Speed Rail project. As ancillary duties, the selected candidate may manage and carry out archaeological investigations and 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 Water, Energy, Community Development, Transportation, and Airports practices.

The successful candidate will have: extensive experience working with historical period archaeological collections, excellent technical skills, writing, time/budget management, organizational capabilities, and experience with databases; agency coordination and client service experience; proficiency in management of archaeological and tribal resources within the context of CEQA, NEPA, and Section 106; experience conducting CHRIS records searches, experience with leading archaeological survey and testing projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of Native American and historical period archaeological resources. Experience with Overseas Chinese Diaspora cultural materials is a plus.

Qualified candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or closely related field and possess the ability to complete all phases of archaeological laboratory collections management, as well as lead survey crews and produce well-written and technically supported cultural resources documents. 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.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a clear understanding of cultural resources museum archaeology collections management and project management principles and practices and be responsible for the delivery of high-quality work products. Preference for candidates who have the knowledge and skillset to mentor and collaborate with junior staff members.

Candidates should be 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, extensive field work and site visits in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. Fieldwork may be up to one week per month.  

Must have valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle to perform survey and other work-related tasks.

What You Will Do for ESA

• Independently conduct artifact processing, cleaning, research, cataloging, accession, and curation preparation of historical archaeological collections.
• Independently manage and conduct archaeological resources assessments.
• Lead archaeological resources survey.
• Lead archaeological resources portions of multi-disciplinary projects engaged as part of a larger team of varied experts.
• Manage and conduct archival research, development of historical and cultural contexts, archaeological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting CEQA and Section 106 requirements.
• Serve as primary author of archaeological resource assessment reports.
• Receive minimal direction for most tasks and receive direction on unusual or difficult assignments.
• Supervision of small project teams.
• Participate in and/or lead client meetings.
• Prepare draft 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.

The successful candidate will be assigned to one of ESA’s Northern California offices (Petaluma, San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose) but must be available to work a full-time (40-hour per week) schedule in ESA’s archaeological laboratory in Richmond, California

What’s Special About Our Team

Our Cultural Resources Team includes pre-contact 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 with whom we work are protected where possible and treated with respect. 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)