SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for a Principal Archaeologist to join our North/Central California team. Our team of accomplished environmental and cultural resources scientists is growing, and we are looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality cultural resources compliance services. Your role will be to work with office staff in business development, drafting proposals, overseeing and improving team procedures, developing and leading projects, overseeing fieldwork, assisting with field logistics, completing analysis of results, mentoring staff, and drafting and reviewing technical reports.

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity reporting to our Half Moon Bay, CA office. This position can be in a hybrid or distributed work environment. Candidates local to the subregion are strongly preferred. 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of environmental professionals who specialize in environmental planning, natural and cultural resource management, and regulatory compliance. Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today.

Application deadline: Please submit your resume and cover letter by May 8, 2026.

• Provide technical and people leadership for archaeology staff, including mentoring, workload coordination, and oversight of work quality, while supporting staff development and consistent application of archaeological and regulatory standards across projects.
• Lead project teams with a collaborative and solutions‑oriented approach, coordinating with project managers and other cultural resource leads to support effective delivery, staffing alignment, and risk management.
• Support development and implementation of consistent field methods, reporting practices, and quality assurance processes, including review of deliverables prepared by junior and mid‑level staff.
• Serve as primary or co-author on large technical reports, research designs, and other technical documents.
• Conduct content edits of technical reports and site forms.
• Oversee field research, data collection, inventory, analysis, and final report production, ensuring these tasks are conducted in accordance with the QA/QC plan.
• Lead or assist with training and mentoring of staff in topics including NRHP eligibility, implementation of research designs, technical reporting, and cultural resources recording protocols.
• Contribute to fostering a collaborative team environment that leads to successful projects and team members in the local offices and with other SWCA offices as part of One SWCA.
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Maintain good working relationships with state and federal agency contacts and clients.
• Additional project management duties as needed, especially for larger and/or more complex projects: manage budgets, prepare proposals, interact with clients, and manage staff.
• Have a proven client network which is supported by a proven reputation for providing highest quality service to clients.
• Dedication to scientific integrity and quality work products for all clientele.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
• Commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of SWCA.

• Minimum of a master’s degree in Archaeology or Anthropology. 
• Minimum of ten (10) years of supervisory and fieldwork experience required; twelve (12) years preferred
• The ability to qualify as a Principal Investigator on a California BLM-statement permit
• Experience with and thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations for cultural resources compliance projects located in California (i.e., NEPA, Section 105, and CEQA)
• Experience with content edits of reports and a background of scheduling and budgeting of projects related to cultural resources.
• Must demonstrate completion of, at a Principal Investigator level, a minimum of three testing or data recovery excavation projects involving primarily archaeological investigations and preparation of final reports consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Projects shall have been performed under the jurisdiction of the National Historic Preservation Act.  
• Listed as a Registered Professional Archaeologist (or qualified for RPA status).
• Ability to work independently as well as oversee small or large projects by working closely with Field Directors and Project Managers.
• Ability to travel an estimated 10-20% of the time when necessary. 

Why Work at SWCA:

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. 

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Half Moon Bay California based position can expect a salary of: $120,830-$158,110/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.  

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.