Assistant Vice President, Archaeologist

Our Business

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We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood’s Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences.

Combined we have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change.

As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Assistant VP , Archaeologist for our Kansas City, Missouri office. The following locations will also be considered : Louisville, KY.

Will also consider other locations in our Midwest region. Be involved in projects with our Heritage & Cultural Resources, Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

The WSP Kansas City office is centrally located in the beautiful historic River Market area of Downtown. Our office has grown to include over 80 local employees, providing expertise and collaboration on projects for our clients across multiple business lines.

The Kansas City office is also home to one of WSP’s nationally recognized full-service Heritage Resource laboratories, supporting nationwide collections management efforts and post-fieldwork processing.

As a member of the Earth & Environment business line, new colleagues will have the opportunity to work directly with a dedicated team of Heritage Resource professionals committed to technical excellence and career development.

Your Impact

• Provide oversight with data collection efforts for identifying and compiling artifacts, observational, spatial, and archaeological data from field sites for projects, investigations, and surveys.
• Ensure the appropriate use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, site impact, and associated physical and archaeological sensitivities.
• Lead the excavation, recovery, and analyzation of artifacts that support work in cultural resource management to ensure that construction work done on or near archaeological sites complies with historical preservation laws.
• Oversee the analysis of literature, laboratory samples, and other sources of information to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary cultural resources impact.
• Prepare, complete, and / or review cultural resources survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, peer review, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. CEQA, NEPA, etc.).
• Perform professional archaeological work and conduct investigations, inspections, studies, and surveys to gain further information on a particular cultural resources problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and / or to plan for various historical preservation and environmental issues.
• Conduct and provide guidance on environmental site assessments (Phase I and II).
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex and larger scale data, findings, or analyses.
• Ensure technical reports and presentations explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore larger-scale cultural resources challenges and complex problems.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing cultural resources project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory strategy, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
• Provide high level oversite for desk-based research, fieldwork, and / or laboratory work, including measurements, data interpretation, and computer modeling.
• Participate in the application process for environmental permits to address issues or concerns undertaking any resulting corrective strategies to minimize or negate impacts to resources of cultural and scientific significance.
• Coordinate with clients, regulatory and historical preservation agencies, communities, and technical staff, providing a high level of strategic advice and subject matter expertise.
• Develop a client base for providing high level cultural resources services including identifying additional business development opportunities and engaging in proposal writing and submission.
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
• Remain current in latest archaeological methods, procedures, subject matter, and techniques.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, historic preservation, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant post-education experience working in archaeological fieldwork to include site recordation, survey, construction monitoring, and excavation.
• Highly proficient expertise with research techniques, analysis, local / regional prehistoric and / or historic archaeology required.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant State and Federal protection regulations, preservation guidelines, and consulting processes pertaining to the specific cultural resources / archaeology position.
• Demonstrated technical competence leading environmental permitting of assigned projects within business sector (e.g. commercial, infrastructure, energy, etc.)
• Well-defined experience in conducting Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments in accordance with ASTM guidelines and industry standards.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA / QC.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with technical and business writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Extensive critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug / alcohol and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Essential professional licensure / certification.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.

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