Senior Archaeologist/Seattle City Light Full Time

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle’s electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.  This position will report to the Manager of Natural Resources & Permitting in the Natural Resources and Hydro Licensing Division in the Environment, Land, and Licensing Business Unit.

This position provides policy and program management and subject matter expertise for archaeological resources, traditional cultural properties (TCPs), and tribal coordination.  Specifically, this position will be responsible for ensuring compliance with Section 106 and Governor’s Executive Order 21-02. The successful candidate will create and maintain a community-focused cultural resources compliance program that will engage with affected Tribes and agencies, develop professional relationships, and provide strategic direction to promote long-term management of cultural resources. This will involve implementing the measures included in City Light’s hydroelectric project licenses, coordinating with the National Park Service (NPS), Washington Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and multiple tribes. The position will serve as resource for archeological reviews and consultation associated with construction, maintenance and habitat restoration projects at City Light hydroelectric facilities, substations and transmission line rights-of-way, and within the Seattle distribution service territory.  It will also responsible for conducting a limited number of archeological survey/monitoring tasks; planning and directing more extensive archeological work by external consultants; consulting with agencies and tribes.

Job Responsibilities

Here is more about what you’ll be doing: 

The position will have broad responsibilities for a variety of tasks and for coordinating the activities of internal staff and consultants. This position will be tasked with the following responsibilities:

• Develop a holistic, comprehensive cultural resource management and tribal engagement strategy building off existing license requirements, laws, and regulations, resulting in program-level standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best management practices (BMPs) for the utility.
• Measure compliance and progress toward program objectives through data analysis, and report to management on program success. 
• Consult with federal and state regulatory agencies, including the NPS, DAHP, and FERC, on cultural resource issues.
• Prepare sections on cultural resources for NEPA and/or SEPA documents needed for construction and major maintenance projects that potentially impact archeological resources.
• Work with project managers, engineers, and consultants to develop project designs that minimize any impacts to archeological resources or traditional cultural properties.  
• Develop and update Unanticipated Discovery Plans and oversee implementation in the field.  Hire and supervises consultants to assist with cultural resource documentation necessary for external agency pre-submittal or submittal packages or for construction monitoring; tasks include preparing scopes of work,
  monitoring budgets, reviewing, and overseeing field work and deliverables.  Provide training to City Light crews and project managers and contractors on archeological protection laws and preservation.
• Regularly meet with managers, supervisors and staff at the Utility’s generating facilities to plan upcoming work, ensure activities undergo appropriate internal cultural resource reviews and is documented, and also with CIP managers and engineers throughout the Utility, and regularly update City Light leadership on cultural resource issues and regulatory changes.
• Review technical reports and submittals from consultants/contractors for accuracy, clarity and effectiveness in meeting scope of work outlined in contract(s).
• Provide expert advice on Section 106 compliance and archeology/traditional cultural properties to other divisions within City Light and other City departments as needed.
• Assist with historic preservations issues as needed.
• Report to and update division director and other upper-level managers at City Light on archaeological issues. 
• Supervise associate-level staff and interns. 
• Attend all unit, division, and City Light all-staff meetings, training, conferences, etc.  

Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has: 
Education:  Master’s degree in archeology or related field.  

Experience:  At least five years of experience in managing archeological programs, including developing management plans development, conducting field studies and monitoring, consulting with tribes, and overseeing consultant contracts.

Certification/License:  Valid Washington State Driver’s License; certified to work as an Archaeologist in Washington state

Desired Qualifications – You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:   

• Demonstrated experience in working with northwest tribes.
• Background in working with or for electric utilities.
• Background in working with state and federal regulatory agencies, particularly the FERC, NPS, and SHPO.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication, as demonstrated by presentations and publications.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and effectively represent City Light issues and concerns.
• Demonstrated experience in developing interpretive and educational materials for the public.
• The ability to work effectively with people of all types.
• The ability to handle multiple and varied assignments.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies applicable to archeology and historic resources.
• Experience in the use of Word, Excel, and databases.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Additional Information

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement 
  A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.  Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. 

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check and COVID-19 vaccination verification. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 (Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
 
The full salary range of this position is $47.85 – $71.80 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
 
Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: http://www.seattle.gov/light/.

Additional Details