Senior Cultural Resources Lead

SummitWest Environmental (Private) | https://www.summitwestenv.com

Details

Posting:

https://summitwestenv.com/careers/

Application Deadline:

09/30/2025

Published:

02/04/2025

Starting Date:

after 2/4/2025

Hours per Week:

1 - 50

Salary:

$42 to $55 per hour

Education Required:

Masters

Experience Required:

at least 10 years

Location:

remote work allowed

Description

ROLE OVERVIEW | SummitWest is seeking an experienced Senior Cultural Resources Lead with 10+ years of cultural resources management experience, including project management and leadership in California. The ideal candidate will have extensive field expertise conducting surveys, testing, excavation, monitoring, and laboratory analysis, as well as experience as a Project Manager or Principal Investigator on complex projects.

In this role, the Senior Cultural Resources Lead will contribute to the growth of SummitWest’s Cultural Resources Program, driving profitability and aligning high-quality systems and teams with client objectives. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic and dedicated team in a company that values professionalism, collaboration, and innovation. If you are passionate about cultural resource management and looking to make an impact, we encourage you to apply and join our growing team!

ROLE DESCRIPTION & DUTIES | This role requires a blend of field experience, technical writing, regulatory knowledge, leadership, and project management skills to navigate and ensure the completion of archaeological projects. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Field Leadership: Lead and supervise pedestrian surveys, archaeological testing, and excavation while ensuring compliance with project requirements and regulatory standards.
Construction Monitoring: Plan, oversee and conduct archaeological monitoring during construction activities, collaborating with contractors and ensuring mitigation measures are implemented correctly.
Data Collection & Management: Record archaeological sites, analyze artifacts, and utilize mapping and data collection tools such as GPS, tablets, and ESRI-based applications.
Technical Writing & Documentation: Prepare detailed reports, site records, and compliance documentation, ensuring data accuracy and adherence to regulations.
Project Management Support: Assist senior staff in developing project scopes, managing deadlines, and ensuring deliverables meet client and regulatory expectations.
Compliance & Advisory: Work closely with project managers, engineers, and regulatory agencies to ensure adherence to local, state, and federal cultural resource laws.
Mentorship & Team Coordination: Provide training and leadership to staff ensuring efficiency, data accuracy, and safety in all field operations.
Collaboration & Communication: Maintain clear communication with clients, construction personnel, regulatory agencies, tribes, stakeholders and internal teams to ensure smooth operations and project success.
Regulatory Knowledge: Keeping a strong working knowledge of relevant regulations and overseeing consultation processes with Native American groups and stakeholders for sensitive resource issues.
Project Management: Independently managing projects, overseeing scopes, budgets, timelines, and contract compliance.
Quality Assurance & Control (QA/QC): Performing quality checks on field data and technical reports to ensure all project aspects are properly executed.
Marketing & Business Development: Assisting with marketing and proposal efforts, contributing to budget estimates, and helping with bid documents to support business growth.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Stay informed on CRM best practices, CEQA, NEPA, NHPA Section 106, and other state/federal regulations.
Author technical reports, including CEQA/NEPA sections, mitigation plans, and monitoring reports.
Represent SummitWest at professional conferences and industry meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an environmental consulting job, not a conservation job. Unlike conservation roles, which strive to protect the environment at all costs, this position focuses on helping construction contractors remain in compliance with environmental laws and mitigation measures, ensuring the client avoids issues by advising contractors on where, when, and how work can take place to prevent delays in construction. These determinations are often made prior to deployment into the field, or sometimes in conjunction with the contractors on site. It is vital to ensure that they are not working without our knowledge and requires clear and concise communication with multiple team members, crews, and departments.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduate degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in Anthropology, Archaeology, Architectural History, or Historic Preservation.
10+ years of experience in cultural resources management, including project management and leadership in California.
Extensive field experience (6+ years) conducting surveys, testing, excavation, monitoring, and laboratory analysis
5+ years of experience as a Project Manager or Principal Investigator, including work on complex projects.
Meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology, History, Architectural History, or Historic Architecture.
Proven project experience on federal (e.g., BLM, USFS, NPS, ACOE, BIA) and state lands (e.g., California State Parks).
Completion of an archaeological field school or equivalent experience (preferred).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Expertise in state and federal regulations, environmental review processes, and compliance requirements, including CRM best practices, Section 106 of the NHPA and CEQA.
Strong time management, organizational and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
Experience leading pedestrian surveys, excavation, and site mitigation projects, collaborating with staff, construction personnel, managing survey, testing, and data recovery projects in environmental or cultural consulting.
Technologically proficient with handheld electronic devices and software applications including Excel, MS word, Google Sheets.
Proficiency in GPS tools, Survey123, and data collection software, as well as GIS mapping applications.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and proven skills in preparing technical reports, treatment plans, and comprehensive data recovery documentation.
Self-motivated with strong initiative and ability to work remotely with minimal supervision, or with a team.
Strong observational skills for recording and reporting environmental and archaeological phenomena.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Proven experience managing and leading teams in both field and office environments, including training and mentoring the professional development of staff.
Ability to travel frequently for fieldwork throughout California, potentially with extended stays and occasional camping.
Excellent track record of coordinating with stakeholders and resolving stakeholder concerns.
Ability to transition field data into written reports using computer-based tools while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

PHYSICAL READINESS:

Ability to hike long distances (10+ miles a day) over rugged terrain and work in extreme weather conditions with reasonable accommodations.
Comfortable working in environments with potential safety risks, such as wildlife encounters, construction hazards, and extreme weather.
Ability to carry up to 25 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be based in California.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (Motor Vehicle Records check required).
Carry valid vehicle insurance for personal vehicles used for Company purposes, or be insurable under Company’s liability insurance policy for use of Company Vehicles.
Authorized to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship.
Successful clearance through SummitWest background check (upon employment).
Adherence to and support SummitWest’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualified Principal Investigator under BLM Cultural Resources Use Permits (preferred).
4x4 driving experience.
Background in California field work or environmental consulting.
Cross-training in paleontological monitoring, mission-era archaeology, or osteology (preferred).
Active 40-hour HAZWOPER training (preferred).
Regional experience enabling immediate permitting with local offices of federal agencies (e.g., BLM, USFS, BOR, NPS) and obtaining other necessary permits.
Familiarity with specific permitting requirements for state and federal lands (e.g., ARPA and Fieldwork Authorization permits).

EXPECTATIONS

Available for a minimum of 20 hours per week, with flexibility for additional hours depending on project needs.
Maintain up-to-date scheduling and communicate changes promptly.
Check email daily and be available by phone during working hours.
Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, enthusiasm, and a proactive approach to work.
Exhibit teamwork and adaptability in dynamic and challenging work environments.
Submit all deliverables, reports, or requested changes within deadlines.
Ability to meet the physical demands of fieldwork with reasonable accommodations.
Frequent travel and ability to drive to project sites.
Cognitive ability to plan travel, use maps or GPS systems, and perform accurate data entry.
Work at a desk or computer for up to eight (8) hours per day when performing office tasks.
Transition field data into written reports using computer-based tools.
Make independent field decisions and effectively organize personal and crew tasks.
Maintain clear, concise communication with team members.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Fieldwork: Work in a variety of settings, including coastal, inland, and desert environments, and can include hiking over rugged terrain and long distances, inclement weather, and driving into remote areas, on and off road.
Travel: Willingness to travel long distances for projects, potentially for multiple weeks at a time, with occasional overnight stays. While these are likely to include hotel lodging, overnight travel for work in more primitive conditions may sometimes be required.
Risks: Exposure to potential hazards, such as dangerous wildlife (e.g. ticks, bees, rattlesnakes, scorpions, mountain lions, bears), hostile public, dangerous driving conditions, construction site hazards, and extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, wind, sleet or snow).

LOCATION | Various locations throughout California, including but not limited to Bakersfield, Fresno, Kernville, Lancaster, Victorville, and Visalia.
Occasionally, work may also extend to Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and beyond.

SALARY | $42 - $55 per hour, depending on experience

STATUS | On-call/Non-Exempt. Hours are flexible and can range anywhere up to 40+ hours per week depending on season, employee preference and availability, location, and client needs.

BENEFITS

Eligible for Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
May become eligible for Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, and Vision)*
May become eligible for 401(k) with matching contribution*
May be eligible for cell phone stipend
May become eligible for educational stipend
Paid training opportunities
Employee incentives and Employee Referral Program

*Eligibility is dependent on duration of work and workload (hours per week)

ABOUT US | At SummitWest, we believe in putting people first—both our team members and our clients. We’ve created an environment where people want to work: one that is caring, fun, and safety-focused. Our success is built on the foundation of strong leadership, accountability, and transparency, principles that guide everything we do and are extended to everyone we work with.

We are a team of passionate environmental consulting specialists dedicated to providing cutting-edge natural resource management services. From wildlife and botanical surveys to construction monitoring, climate change studies, GIS mapping, permitting, and urban planning, we deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges.
With a team of 100 experts, we pack a big punch in terms of knowledge, expertise, and the diversity of projects we manage across the western United States. At SummitWest, every project is an opportunity to make an impact—on the environment, on our clients, and on the communities we serve.

If you’re looking to join a team that’s dynamic, forward-thinking, and values its people, SummitWest is the place for you!

MISSION & VISION | SummitWest's mission is to pioneer strategies for the environment. Our Vision is to become established as a dynamic leader in the environmental services industry.

OUR VALUES | This position should model the “SummitWest 5 Values”:

WHY WORK WITH US? | At SummitWest, we’re more than just an employer—we’re your partner in achieving your career goals while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. As an employee-driven company, we prioritize your growth and well-being through a range of supportive initiatives and opportunities. At SummitWest, we create a supportive, growth-oriented environment where you can thrive professionally and personally.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Mentorship & Training: Enhance your skills with expert guidance.
Flexible Schedules: Achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Career Growth: Enjoy clear paths for advancement.
Varied Work Options: Remote and desktop project opportunities.
Proposal Training: Gain experience in proposal writing.
Regular Feedback: Stay on track with performance reviews.
Collaborative Culture: Be part of a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Open Communication: Benefit from an open-door policy with supervisors.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION | We believe in fostering a culture of belonging that allows applicants and employees a safe place to authentically express themselves and encourages building long-lasting, meaningful relationships. We embrace our team's differences, understanding that our differing collective experiences and opinions increase our effectiveness as a whole. We believe in this effectiveness, our company culture will flourish.

SummitWest is proud to support women in STEM by empowering women to take their careers in their own hands, offering mentorship and training, and growth opportunities. SummitWest utilizes a wage calculator to ensure all staff are evaluated equally based on skills, qualifications, and education. We strive to close pay gaps and provide pay transparency for all staff.

EEO STATEMENT | We believe in hiring employees based on their qualifications and skills. We do not discriminate against any protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status.

TO APPLY | Interested applicants should submit a resume and brief cover letter detailing your interest, qualifications, three references, and any special considerations or compensation expectations. All submissions should go to recruitment@summitwestenv.com.

Resumes received without a cover letter or references will not be considered.

Contact

Christina Wenborne

7142252173

christina@summitwestenv.com (preferred contact method)