Archaeologist (Cultural Resource Specialist)

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a highly qualified and experienced mid-level Archaeologist with 5+ years of experience to manage projects for a growing group of cultural resources specialists within our Southern California Cultural Resources Group. The qualified candidate should have a demonstrated 5+ year history of executing archaeological research surveys and technical document preparation as this hire will do so on a wide range of interesting projects throughout the region and will be part of an interdisciplinary team that includes staff from our Water, Energy, Community Development, Transportation, and Airports practices.  This is a full-time exempt hybrid role.  Qualified candidates must be able and willing to work hybrid in-office 1-2 days a week from any of our Southern California ESA offices: Irvine, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, or Santa Barbara. 

Who You Are

• You have excellent field, writing, time/budget management, and organizational capabilities; agency coordination and client service experience; proficiency in management of archaeological and tribal cultural resources within the context of CEQA; experience with leading archaeological survey and testing projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of prehistoric and historic-period archaeological resources; and experience preparing MND and EIR sections and developing mitigation.
• You must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or closely related field and possess the ability to 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.
• You have a strong understanding of CEQA; some understanding of NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA
• You must demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the delivery of high-quality work products. Preference for candidates who have the knowledge, interest, & skillset to mentor junior staff members.
• 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. Fieldwork may be up to one week per month.
• Qualified candidates must have valid driver’s license with a clean record to perform surveys and other work-related tasks as needed.

What You Will Do for ESA

• 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 historic and cultural contexts, archaeological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting CEQA requirements.
• Serve as primary author of archaeological resource assessment reports and MND and EIR sections.
• 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.
• Other ad-hoc tasks as needed

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 shares through our ESOP; a 401(k) plan with company match; and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also offer specific programs to support you when 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.

What’s Special About Our California Cultural Resources 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.

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. 

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.

 Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:

• Full name
• The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
• Title of Job Position Applied
• Description of your accommodation request

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