Archaeological Principal Investigator

Civil and Environmental Consultants

vision insurance, tuition assistance, 401(k), profit sharing

United States, Tennessee, Franklin

117 Seaboard Lane (Show on map)

Aug 29, 2026

Archaeological Principal Investigator

Job Locations

US-TN-Franklin

Category

Cultural Resources

Type

Full-Time

Overview

As an Assistant Project Manager for Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) in our Nashville, TN office, you'll manage project teams supporting clients as they navigate complex cultural resource and historic preservation requirements, including compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. You'll support public-sector, commercial, institutional, and energy clients while managing all phases of historic and prehistoric archaeological investigations. Your work will include developing archaeological work plans, overseeing field investigations, coordinating artifact analysis and curation, preparing technical reports, and developing and implementing mitigation plans.

You'll work closely with clients, contractors, government officials, and CEC's multidisciplinary teams to support projects from early planning and design through regulatory review and construction. You'll also contribute to the continued growth of CEC's Cultural Resources Practice by helping manage projects, clients, and staff while supporting cultural resource needs nationwide.

At CEC, every team member is personally invested in serving our clients with integrity, delivering results that matter, and growing meaningful careers. As employee-owners, we're accountable not just for our work, but for creating an environment that supports and challenges one another. Our people are our priority - and that's what drives us to dig deeper, collaborate smarter, and build lasting relationships inside and outside of our company.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage cultural resource projects supporting Section 106 compliance under the National Historic Preservation Act

Manage historic and prehistoric archaeological investigations from project planning through completion
Develop archaeological work plans and coordinate field investigations
Oversee artifact analysis, documentation, and curation activities
Prepare and review technical reports and other cultural resource documentation
Develop and implement mitigation plans to address project-specific cultural resource requirements
Coordinate with clients, contractors, government officials, and multidisciplinary project teams throughout project delivery
Support the management and development of project staff across CEC's Cultural Resources Practice
Contribute to client development and the continued growth of CEC's Cultural Resources Practice nationwide

Our Nashville office, located in Franklin, TN, is home to a passionate and growing team of professionals. Just minutes from downtown Nashville, Franklin offers small-town charm with easy access to all that Nashville has to offer. Known for top-rated schools and welcoming neighborhoods, the area is a great place to grow both personally and professionally. From outdoor recreation and live music to professional sports and dining, Middle Tennessee offers something for everyone.

Qualifications

Advanced degree in anthropology, archaeology, history, architectural history or closely related field (e.g., must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines under 36CFR61)
Supervisory field and analytic experience in general North American archaeology
Archeological research, administration, or management
Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion
Ability to speak and write professionally
Familiarity with GPS devices, geomorphological techniques, data collector/total station, and GIS
Ability to work independently, and travel to field projects and/or CEC offices, as needed
Preparation of proposals, work plans, and change orders
Experience with the Tennessee Department of Transportation or other state transportation departments, and a general knowledge of the Section 106 implementation process of the Federal Highway Administration (preferred)
Experience consulting with federally recognized tribal organizations (preferred)

About Us

We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.

We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community - focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite - focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA - focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women - focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!

We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you - that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.

CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.

CEC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS

If CEC has not expressly requested recruiting services or contractually engaged with you for recruiting services on a specific position, any resumes or candidate profiles sent to CEC shall be considered unsolicited. Therefore, any such submissions will be considered property of CEC, with no associated fees due to your firm.