Lead Project Manager - Cultural Resources

About the opportunity:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is actively seeking to fill a Lead/Senior Level Project Manager position to support our Chicago office Cultural Resources team . You will be responsible for managing client, agency, and Tribe relationships through project management, supervising staff, successfully winning and executing projects, typically focused on archaeological investigation, and leading projects to completion.

This is a full-time, regular (with benefits) salaried position reporting into our Chicago, Ill. This position can be hybrid or remote based in Illinois, Ohio (preferably around Cincinnati), and Michigan.

This requisition can hire at two levels:

• Lead Project Manager – Typically with at least eight (8) years of relevant experience and expertise, including three (3) years as a project manager,
• Senior Project Manager – Typically with at least ten (10) years of relevant experience and expertise, including five (5) years as a project manager.

To be considered, please provide a cover letter and a resume/CV.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

What you will accomplish:

Job responsibilities for Senior level Project Managers will involve leading more complicated, larger and potentially multi-disciplinary projects and pursuits.

• Manage and participate in all aspects of cultural resources projects successfully, including budgeting, scheduling, research, fieldwork, report writing, curation.
• Collaborate with other project managers across offices and disciplines to successfully meet client and agency needs.
• Work with clients and agency representatives for successful project implementation.
• Prepare and create technical, high-quality proposals, work plans, reports, and literature reviews with little supervisory oversight.
• Oversee fieldwork and deliverables, adhering to SWCA’s Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program.
• Work independently in a responsible manner, resolving project challenges.
• Work within defined schedules and meet deadlines.
• Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.
• Contribute to regional business development initiatives, including attending conferences and building relationships with current and future clients.

Experience and qualifications for success:

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of experience in Cultural Resource Management, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity, whether in the field or in the office.
• Three (3) years of experience as a cultural resources project manager.
• Three (3) years of experience in environmental consulting
• Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and local cultural resources laws and regulations.
• Experience leading archaeology crews on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Project management experience includes working on a variety of project types and sizes, on all project aspects (from pre-field tasks through final report preparation), in multiple regions, and with a variety of regulatory agencies.
• Experience collecting field data utilizing modern mobile technology (tablets, Bluetooth GPS receivers, mobile software) and Trimble GPS units (Terrasync and/or ArcPad).
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours may be required on certain projects.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must have a valid driver's license, the ability to pass a Motor Vehicle background screening, and have access to reliable transportation.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field.
• At least ten to twelve years of experience in Cultural Resource Management, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity, whether in the field or in the office.
• At least five to seven years of experience as a cultural resources project manager.
• Primary report authorship and experience providing quality control review of field documents.
• Experience with computer-based programs such as Survey123, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and others.
• CPR and First Aid certified.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 1,850 staff, employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star)is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning , we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack .

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 Chicago based position can expect an annual salary of $87,141 - $114,660/year for the Lead PM role and an annual salary of $99,754 - $133,005/year for the Senior PM role. 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 ( , forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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.

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