Archaeologist

Job Description:

Archaeologist

Description

Summary

This recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future career service Archeologist (PPM III) positions within the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months.

Protect Land. Advance Conservation. Shape, and Preserve King County’s Future.
Come Join our dynamic team leading innovative watershed planning & restoration efforts! The Capital Delivery/Management & Support Section of the Water and Land Resources Division is seeking an Archaeologist (Project and Program Manager III) to help our division protect and preserve cultural and historic resources while advancing projects and initiatives that improve water quality, restore and reconnect salmon habitat and help reduce flood hazards in our community.

About the Role:
The Archaeologist supports capital projects by identifying and protecting cultural resources through research, surveys, tribal consultation, and regulatory compliance. They integrate findings into design and permitting, monitor construction, manage consultant work, provide staff training, and coordinate countywide processes to ensure consistent, effective cultural resource protection. In this role, they will work closely with Capital Project teams, project sponsors, the KC Historic Preservation Program, tribes and resource agencies to help identify and protect cultural resources while restoring watershed health throughout the county.

About the Team:
The Capital Delivery Section (CDS) designs and delivers high-quality capital projects that use the best available science to protect and enhance King County’s water and land resources. Our work improves water quality, restores and enhances fish habitat, strengthens community resilience to flooding and climate change, and deepens people’s connection to the natural world.
Our multidisciplinary team-engineers, ecologists, project managers, and geologists-collaborates to develop innovative solutions that restore watershed health across the county’s four major river basins. We engage the communities we serve to identify needs and deliver effective projects that reduce flood hazards, support the health and well-being of residents, uphold tribal treaty rights, address inequities, and contribute to the recovery of threatened salmon and orca populations.
Who We Are:
The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of $280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Archaeologist (Project and Program Manager III) , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Cultural Resource Evaluations and Identification: Conduct archival research, field surveys and consultation with tribal and cultural resource experts to identify and characterize potential cultural and/or historic resources on capital project sites.
• Document findings and where necessary define appropriate protections and/or mitigation to avoid impacts to identified resources in compliance with federal, state, tribal, and local regulations (e.g., Section 106, NEPA, state statutes, KC Executive Cultural Resources Policy and Procedures).
• Design and Permitting Support: Integrate cultural resource considerations into project design by coordinating with project team members, the King County Historic Preservation Program, Tribal staff and regulatory agencies. Prepare technical reports, permit documentation, and avoidance or mitigation strategies to support timely approvals.
• Construction Monitoring and Resource Protection: Provide archaeological monitoring during ground-disturbing activities, implement inadvertent discovery protocols, coordinate with construction teams, and document findings to ensure resource protection while minimizing project delays.
• Provide training and support to WLRD staff on cultural resource topics and applicable laws, policy and guidelines. Help scope, negotiate and manage cultural resources consultant contracts to support capital delivery teams. Review consultant deliverables for content and accuracy and concurrence with recommendations.
• Work closely with HPP staff and cultural resource professionals across DNRP to establish consistent processes and procedures that make review, coordination and protection of cultural resource more effective, timely and predictable.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Resource management in accordance with Secretary of Interior standard for professional archaeologists.
• Two (2) years of full-time professional work experience as an archeologist performing office and field work, including cultural and historical aspects of Native American Tribes of the Northwest.
• Knowledge of relevant state and federal regulations, standards, and procedures related to historic preservation and cultural resource management.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) development and implementation, including Environmental Systems Research Institute programs like ArcGIS Pro. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity, social justice principles, and environmental justice.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
  
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
  
• Persuades: Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others.
  

It Would Be Nice If You Also Bring:

• Geoarchaeology,
  
• Human Osteology,
  
• Historic Archaeology
  
• Built Environment Evaluation
  
• Traditional Cultural Properties
  
• Lithic Analysis
  
• Faunal Analysis
  
• Archaeobotanical Properties
  
• Remote Sensing
  

Supplemental Information

Onsite Work Details:

• Work Location: The Capital Delivery/Management & Support Section works in a hybrid model, with days in the office, and field, as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a in-home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This non-exempt position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.

Union Representation: This position is represented my Teamsters 117.

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Please ensure that your application materials clearly detail how your skills and experience meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this posting.
To apply, submit your completed application materials:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions (Required)
• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Required)
• Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
  

Who to Contact: For more information regarding the Project and Program Manager III recruitment, please contact William R. Herbert at [email protected] .

Discover More About the Water and Land Division by visiting our website .
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .
Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our " True North ", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer: No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 7/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$110,087.54 - $139,542.21 Annually