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Mid Senior-level Archaeologist

Dudek


Job Location:

San Diego, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 120000 - 175000
Posted: 3 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 5 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Overview

Location(s): San Diego
Practice/Department: Cultural-Paleo
Work Environment: Hybrid
Compensation:$120000-$175000 annually*

Dudeks journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern Californias 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 beenrecognized by leading industry organizations andwevebeen honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Ouremployee-ownersare 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 ouraward-winning culture thebenefits and perksof being aDudekian and theprojectsyou will have the opportunity to shape.

Position Overview

Who You Are

As anemployee-owner you embrace accountability working safely andcollaborationwhile thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like allDudekians you are curious andsolution-oriented with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit ofinnovation.

HowYoullMake an Impact

Dudek is seeking to fill a Mid/Senior-level staff archaeologist position for our San Diego or Encinitas offices with a preference to be in southern San Diego County. The minimum qualified candidate will have graduate degree in anthropology or a closely related field and strong experience in cultural resource management ability to be permitted as Principal Investigator and regional ties to the larger archaeological community. The successful candidate should have excellent writing and communication skills and a working knowledge of California pre-contact and historic archaeology with focused experience within San Diego Imperial and Riverside Counties. The preferred candidate would have experience working on energy or utilities infrastructure projects.
The advertised role includes managing complex archaeological investigations and analyses developing and implementing innovative research methodologies and providing advanced technical expertise in cultural resource management projects. The role requires expertise in data analysis and interpretation technical reporting field methodology development regulatory compliance and have experience mentoring junior staff. Additional responsibilities include managing schedules workflows field staff sub-consultants budgets scoping for technical work implementing safety plans and acting as senior project archaeologist during meetings requiring direct client/agency interface.
This role is anticipated to largely be office-based however candidate should have capacity to attend regular offsite in-person meetings with Dudek and clients within San Diego as determined by project needs. Site visits to surrounding regions for field support is also likely to be required periodically. As such candidates must be able to work under physically strenuous conditions. Excellent communication skills team-focus ability to work as a crew member and/or manage field crews ensure paperwork is completed accurately and to logically support field decisions are also desirable qualities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Field and Technical Duties and Responsibilities

  • Will work under the direct supervision of Senior cultural staff as well as in coordination with other cultural resources staff throughout Dudek
  • Preferred location is southern San Diego County with a preference to be in a Dudek or client office 1-2 days per week as dependent on needs.
  • Primary travel fieldwork and reporting focus will be in the Southern California region.
  • Ability to coordinate and oversee multiple field crews including subcontractors.
  • Work is intended to be approximately 30% in the field and 70% in the office although this may vary depending on project and seasonal fieldwork needs.
  • Knowledge of southern California and surrounding regional prehistoric and historic archaeology
  • Understanding of standard office applications and field mapping software
  • Team-oriented attitude and approach a must
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills
  • Has existing positive relationships with regional agency staff and Native American Tribes

Project Management and Client Engagement

  • Develops and manages project plans including scope schedules budgets and deliverables pertaining to cultural resources tasks
  • Coordinates project teams resources and timelines to ensure project success
  • Interfaces with clients and directs teams on projects of varying size and complexity
  • Builds strong relationships with clients including key decision makers and agency representatives
  • Coordinates and facilitates client partner and regulatory agency meetings and presentations
  • Manages agreements with sub-contractors and Tribal partners

Minimum Qualifications

  • MA or PhD in Anthropology/Archaeology or a closely related field
  • Minimum of 12 years work experience in archaeology as cultural resources management specialist completing and managing fieldwork analysis reporting monitoring coordination and drafting/implementing management plans and mitigation
  • Experience with Phase I Phase II and Phase III archaeological survey analysis and documentation requirements
  • Large-scale renewable energy generation and transmission line project experience
  • Listed and/or qualified for listing as PI on County of San Diego County of Riverside State Parks USFS and BLM permits
  • Registered Professional Archaeologist (or ability to become certified upon hire)
  • Mustpossessa valid drivers license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Proactive archaeological field lead experience strong technical writing communication organization and problem-solving skills
  • Analytical expertise in a specialized field related to anthropology or archaeology
  • Knowledge of local state and federal cultural resources regulations and guidelines and understanding of regulatory agency programs procedures and policies (CEQA NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA)
  • Strong organizational coordination verbal communication research and writing skills

Compensation: $120000-$175000 annually*

*Finalagreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to an individuals 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
Environment

  • This job operates in an outdoor or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers phones printers etc.
  • Outdoor activity may involve walking/trekking in uneven terrain over long distances in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time.
  • This job requires 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).
  • Attending meetings both in person and virtually and speaking on the phone with peers clients etc.
  • Specific vision abilities including close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

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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 andequitableprocesses 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 lawsprovidingequal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to allpersonsinvolved in Dudeks 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 Dudeks 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.


Required Experience:

Senior IC


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Environmental, planning, and engineering firm with 800+ staff passionate about improving communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

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