Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

Oaklight LLC is an agile and rapidly growing environmental consulting firm committed to delivering high-

quality, science-driven solutions to our clients. We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior

Archaeologist/Principal Investigator to support our growing cultural resources team. This is a full-time, salaried position ideal for a senior-level professional archaeologist who wants to lead projects in the field

as a technical expert and contribute to building a top-tier cultural resources program. The successful

candidate will play a key role in desktop reviews, planning and executing field work, technical reporting, proposal preparation, and coordination with field teams across Texas and potentially the broader region.

Why join Oaklight?

At Oaklight, you won’t get lost in the shuffle of a large firm—you’ll help shape the direction of a growing,

agile company. We’re building something meaningful with a tight-knit, collaborative team that values high-

quality work, professional growth, and a good dose of field humor. Here, your expertise won’t be boxed in.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead exciting projects, influence strategy, and explore new skills like client development and cross-disciplinary work. Whether you're with us for the long haul or gaining experience for your next big role, we’re committed to helping you grow, have fun, and make an impact every step of the way.

Why you?

You’re eager to grow your career, you thrive in a high-paced environment, and you love being outdoors.

You’re ready to travel, learn from experienced mentors, and contribute to meaningful environmental

projects.

Key Responsibilities 

Cultural Resources:

• Serve as the technical lead and/or Principal Investigator (PI) for archaeological investigations for a variety of clients and sectors including work in the utility industry (power and gas), transportation, renewable energy, and local government.
• Prepare technical reports in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., NHPA, Section 106, Antiquities Code of Texas).
• Conduct desktop assessments and records reviews using available databases (e.g.,Texas Archaeological Sites Atlas, NRHP).
• Conduct in-field archaeological investigations.
• Provide oversight and coordination with field teams to ensure regulatory compliance and quality control.

Business Development Support:

• Lead the development of technical proposals, research designs, scopes of work, budget, and schedule.
• Assist with assembling relevant cultural resumes, providing input on cultural tasks and fees, and compiling project examples.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with internal teams (GIS, environmental, and permitting staff) to support cross-disciplinary projects.
• Maintain communication regarding scheduling and project needs.
• Represent Oaklight in a professional and courteous manner during field activities and communications with partners.

Not all duties that you may be asked to perform are included in this position description.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in archaeology, with at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role.
• Meets the qualifications as described in the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (48 FR §44716).
• Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).
• Demonstrated knowledge of Texas archaeology and regulatory environment (TPWD, THC, TxDOT, etc.).
• Experience leading and conducting all phases of cultural resource investigations.
• Ability to work independently in a remote team environment.
• Builds and maintains productive professional and personal networking relationships.
• Champions new ideas and initiatives and creates an environment that supports innovation.
• Disciplined approach to project execution and technical excellence.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license required.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Strong technical writing and editorial skills.
• Experience with desktop and archival research, and familiarity with ArcGIS and SHPO platforms.
• Prior experience working with or in support of Section 106 and state-level compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing field crews.
• Experience using ESRI Field Maps, Collector, or similar field data collection apps.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with GIS and GPS tools.
• Basic understanding of environmental permitting and NEPA processes.

Work Environment

• Full-time schedule anticipated.
• Daily work schedule may vary depending on project needs.
• The position is primarily remote, with occasional travel and field deployments throughout Texas and neighboring states as project needs arise.
• Outdoor fieldwork in varied terrain and extreme weather, including high temperatures in Texas.
• Work may involve:
• Hiking long distances with gear
• Manual excavation
• Recording subsurface features
• Potential exposure to wildlife and insects
• Field settings may be remote, with limited access to amenities.

Schedule

• Must be available for multi-day field assignments, often requiring travel within Texas or nearby states.
• Willingness to work extended days (8–10+ hours) in the field.
• Flexibility for overnight stays.
• May include occasional weekend work depending on project timelines.

Compensation & Benefits

Oaklight offers competitive compensation and benefits. This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus from time to time, considering, among other things, exceptional individual and corporate performance.

Job Tags

Full time, Casual work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Long distance, Night shift,

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