Archaeologist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Archaeologist roles requiring H-1B visa sponsorship typically demand specialized education in archaeology, anthropology, or related fields. Federal agencies, research institutions, and cultural resource management firms sponsor qualified candidates, though positions often require specific certifications and fieldwork experience beyond the standard degree requirement. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.
ESA seeks a highly motivated Archaeologist in the Seattle area with 3+ years of experience performing cultural resources surveys, testing, data recovery, and monitoring, recording, recordation of archaeological resources, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation. Candidates must be located in and/or around the Seattle, Washington metropolitan area for on-site field work for further consideration. The ideal candidate will be available to work on a hybrid schedule from ESA's Seattle office.
Who You Are
- ESA is currently seeking a highly qualified and experienced Archaeologist to manage projects for a growing group of cultural resources specialists within our Northwest Cultural Resources Group. The selected candidate will manage and carry out archaeological investigations and technical document preparation on a wide range of interesting projects throughout the region and will be part of an interdisciplinary team working with Water, Energy, Community Development, Transportation, Airports, Natural Resources, and Environmental Hydrology experts.
- Successful candidate should have excellent technical skills, writing, time/budget management, and organizational capabilities; agency coordination and client service experience; proficiency in the management of archaeological and tribal resources within the context of NEPA/SEPA, Section 106, and Executive Order 21-02; experience conducting WISAARD and OARRA records searches; experience with leading archaeological survey and testing projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of precontact and historic-period archaeological resources. GIS experience is a plus.
- Qualified candidates must hold a graduate degree in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or a closely related field and possess the ability to lead survey crews and produce well-written and technically supported cultural resources documents. The successful candidate possesses SOI (Secretary of the Interior) qualifications. This position requires the ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time and within budget in a fast-paced work environment. Excellent organizational and strong problem-solving skills are required.
- The candidate will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the delivery of high-quality work products. Preference for candidates who have the knowledge and skillset to mentor junior staff members.
- You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. Candidates should be confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, extensive field work and site visits in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. Fieldwork is anticipated to be up to approximately one week per month.
- You possess a valid driver's license and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road.
- We may request a writing sample as a stage in the interview process.
- Ability to pass a background and DMV record check.
What You Will Do for ESA
- Independently manage and conduct archaeological resources assessments.
- Lead archaeological resources survey.
- Lead archaeological resources portions of multi-disciplinary projects engaged as part of a larger team of varied experts.
- Manage and conduct archival research, development of historic and cultural contexts, archaeological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting NEPA/SEPA, Section 106, and Executive Order 21-02 requirements.
- Serve as primary author of archaeological resource assessment reports.
- Receive minimal direction for most tasks and receive direction on unusual or difficult assignments.
- Supervision of small project teams.
- Participate in and/or lead client meetings.
- Prepare draft scopes of work and budgets for small and mid-size projects and for selected tasks on large projects.
- Communicate with senior staff and teaming partners to support environmental analyses and permit compliance.
- Collaborate with architectural historians, paleontologists, and other specialists and incorporate work products into technical reports.
What's Special About Our Northwest Cultural Resources Team
Our Cultural Resources Team includes precontact and historical archaeologists, geoarchaeological specialists, tribal engagement specialists, architectural historians, and historians that provide expertise for many local, state, and federal agencies throughout the Northwest. Our work matters because we assist agencies in ensuring that our nation's history and that of the tribal communities with whom we work are protected where possible and treated with respect. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.
Who We Are
We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients.
In accordance with ESA's duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies.
If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.
Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:
- Full name
- The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
- Title of Job Position Applied
- Description of your accommodation request
ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)
INTRODUCTION
Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.
ESA seeks a highly motivated Archaeologist in the Seattle area with 3+ years of experience performing cultural resources surveys, testing, data recovery, and monitoring, recording, recordation of archaeological resources, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation. Candidates must be located in and/or around the Seattle, Washington metropolitan area for on-site field work for further consideration. The ideal candidate will be available to work on a hybrid schedule from ESA's Seattle office.
Who You Are
- ESA is currently seeking a highly qualified and experienced Archaeologist to manage projects for a growing group of cultural resources specialists within our Northwest Cultural Resources Group. The selected candidate will manage and carry out archaeological investigations and technical document preparation on a wide range of interesting projects throughout the region and will be part of an interdisciplinary team working with Water, Energy, Community Development, Transportation, Airports, Natural Resources, and Environmental Hydrology experts.
- Successful candidate should have excellent technical skills, writing, time/budget management, and organizational capabilities; agency coordination and client service experience; proficiency in the management of archaeological and tribal resources within the context of NEPA/SEPA, Section 106, and Executive Order 21-02; experience conducting WISAARD and OARRA records searches; experience with leading archaeological survey and testing projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of precontact and historic-period archaeological resources. GIS experience is a plus.
- Qualified candidates must hold a graduate degree in archaeology, geoarchaeology, or a closely related field and possess the ability to lead survey crews and produce well-written and technically supported cultural resources documents. The successful candidate possesses SOI (Secretary of the Interior) qualifications. This position requires the ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver projects on time and within budget in a fast-paced work environment. Excellent organizational and strong problem-solving skills are required.
- The candidate will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the delivery of high-quality work products. Preference for candidates who have the knowledge and skillset to mentor junior staff members.
- You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. Candidates should be confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, extensive field work and site visits in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. Fieldwork is anticipated to be up to approximately one week per month.
- You possess a valid driver's license and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road.
- We may request a writing sample as a stage in the interview process.
- Ability to pass a background and DMV record check.
What You Will Do for ESA
- Independently manage and conduct archaeological resources assessments.
- Lead archaeological resources survey.
- Lead archaeological resources portions of multi-disciplinary projects engaged as part of a larger team of varied experts.
- Manage and conduct archival research, development of historic and cultural contexts, archaeological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting NEPA/SEPA, Section 106, and Executive Order 21-02 requirements.
- Serve as primary author of archaeological resource assessment reports.
- Receive minimal direction for most tasks and receive direction on unusual or difficult assignments.
- Supervision of small project teams.
- Participate in and/or lead client meetings.
- Prepare draft scopes of work and budgets for small and mid-size projects and for selected tasks on large projects.
- Communicate with senior staff and teaming partners to support environmental analyses and permit compliance.
- Collaborate with architectural historians, paleontologists, and other specialists and incorporate work products into technical reports.
What's Special About Our Northwest Cultural Resources Team
Our Cultural Resources Team includes precontact and historical archaeologists, geoarchaeological specialists, tribal engagement specialists, architectural historians, and historians that provide expertise for many local, state, and federal agencies throughout the Northwest. Our work matters because we assist agencies in ensuring that our nation's history and that of the tribal communities with whom we work are protected where possible and treated with respect. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.
Who We Are
We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients.
In accordance with ESA's duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies.
If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.
Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:
- Full name
- The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
- Title of Job Position Applied
- Description of your accommodation request
ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Archaeologist Jobs
Target CRM and government contractors
Cultural resource management firms and federal contractors regularly sponsor archaeologists for compliance projects. These employers understand visa processes better than academic institutions and have established sponsorship procedures.
Highlight specialized certifications
Register for Professional Archaeologist (RPA) certification and specialized training in GIS, remote sensing, or specific cultural periods. These credentials strengthen your H-1B specialty occupation case significantly.
Emphasize fieldwork and lab experience
Document extensive field school participation, laboratory analysis experience, and technical skills in artifact processing. USCIS values practical archaeological experience that demonstrates specialized knowledge beyond classroom learning.
Consider research assistant pathways
Universities and museums often hire archaeological research assistants who can transition to full positions. These roles may offer easier initial sponsorship while building the specialized experience needed.
Geographic specialization matters
Focus on regions with active archaeological compliance work like the Southwest, Southeast, or areas with major infrastructure projects. Local expertise strengthens both job prospects and visa applications.
Build museum and agency connections
Network with state historic preservation offices, tribal cultural departments, and natural history museums. These organizations frequently need sponsored archaeologists for specific cultural resource projects and grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for H-1B sponsorship as an archaeologist?
You need at least a bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field like classical studies or art history with archaeological focus. A master's degree significantly strengthens your case, as many positions require graduate-level training in archaeological methods, theory, and specialized techniques like GIS or laboratory analysis.
Do archaeology jobs qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B?
Yes, most archaeologist positions qualify as specialty occupations because they require specific academic training in archaeological methods, cultural analysis, and fieldwork techniques. However, entry-level field technician roles may face scrutiny if they don't require specialized knowledge beyond basic field skills.
Which employers sponsor archaeologists for work visas?
Cultural resource management firms, federal contractors, state agencies, universities, and museums sponsor archaeologists. CRM companies like SWCA Environmental Consultants and government contractors working on infrastructure projects have the most consistent sponsorship track records due to ongoing compliance work requirements.
Can I get sponsored without fieldwork experience?
Sponsorship is difficult without substantial fieldwork experience. Most employers expect field school completion, excavation experience, and familiarity with archaeological recording methods. Laboratory experience with artifact analysis, dating techniques, or digital documentation can supplement limited field time, but some hands-on archaeological work is typically essential.
How to find Archaeologist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Archaeologist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on positions at museums, cultural heritage organizations, government agencies, and archaeological consulting firms. Common visa types include H-1B visa for the U.S., Skilled Worker visas for the UK, and employer-sponsored visas for Australia and Canada.
How long does archaeologist H-1B processing take?
Standard H-1B processing takes 3-6 months, but premium processing reduces this to 15 calendar days for an additional fee. Many CRM firms file in April for October start dates to align with federal contracting cycles, so plan accordingly if targeting compliance archaeology positions.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Archaeologist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.