Job Duties/Scope Of Work
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) is seeking an Archaeologist to join its Cultural & Historic Resources Program (CHRP) on the Hanford Site in Washington state. The Hanford Site contains evidence of nearly continual occupation for the last 10,000 years and played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. The Hanford Site is now the largest, most complex environmental remediation project in history.
HMIS, as a prime contractor to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), implements DOE's Cultural Resource program under the direction of the Hanford Site DOE Cultural Resources Manager. CHRP staff assists DOE and their contractors with meeting requirements to preserve and protect resources in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Under the supervision of the Environmental Regulatory Services Manager and in close coordination with other CHRP staff archaeologists, the successful candidate will assist in the CHRP program. Activities will include gathering scope descriptions to assist with the development of the Area of Potential Effect; conducting literature reviews; performing fieldwork (pedestrian survey, excavation, site condition and construction monitoring); documenting cultural resources; evaluating eligibility of cultural resources under the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); authoring reports (survey, Section 106 compliance, and monitoring reports); assessing potential impacts to cultural resources; and supporting DOE during consultation with agencies and tribes
Job responsibilities include:
- Participating in site-wide cultural resources planning efforts.
- Developing strategies, schedules, and assisting in cost estimates for cultural resource reviews.
- Integrating, interfacing, and meeting with DOE, other HMIS organizations, and Hanford Site contractors.
- Author and assist team with cultural resources documents and technical reports, including APE Notifications, NHPA Section 106 Compliance Reviews, and monitoring reports.
- Perform fieldwork including pedestrian survey, excavation, Section 110 Monitoring, and project monitoring.
- Identify and documentation of pre contact and historic era cultural resources.
- Evaluate cultural resources for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
- Assess potential impacts to cultural resources and recommend work controls when needed.
- Support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) determinations.
- Provide DOE and Hanford contractors with regular status updates.
- Create maps using ArcGIS Pro, including maps for project areas, Area of Potential Effects (APE), literature reviews, historic land use, survey results, site and isolate documentation, etc.
- Work with Tribal representatives and agency personnel.
- Assist with interpretive program development, public education, and conduct cultural awareness training on the Hanford Site.
- Conduct research on Hanford site cultural resources and present findings in academic, scientific, and public forums.
Basic Qualifications
* Ability to obtain and maintain a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential badge.
- Graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field and meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology as outlined in the latest version of the Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualifications Standards or ability to meet these qualification standards within one year of hire.
- Minimum of 1 year of professional experience conducting archaeological fieldwork and preparing or contributing to technical reports, or a combination of fieldwork and geospatial information systems experience.
- Technical proficiency in archaeology, ethnology, archaeological field methods, site evaluation procedures, and methods associated with site documentation.
- Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and tribal government standards and criteria for cultural and historic resource practices, and compliance requirements.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly report findings and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Desired Qualifications
Intermediate Qualifications
- Entry level qualification plus some combination of the following
- Demonstrated experience in historical research, including interpretation and use of historical maps and aerial imagery for cultural resources evaluation and context development.
- Skills in ArcGIS, including ArcPro mapping and analysis.
- Practical experience with GPS units and GIS site documentation methodologies.
- Proficiency in digital database management and GIS data processing as related to archaeological resources.
- Active WISAARD (Washington Information System for Architectural and Archaeological Records Data) account.
- Experience conducting archaeology in the American West.
Senior Qualifications
- Intermediate qualification plus some combination of the following
- Emphasis or specialization in pre-contact archaeology, zooarchaeology, human osteology, or geoarchaeology.
- 5+ years of experience conducting archaeological fieldwork, preparing technical reports, and performing GIS mapping or a combination of fieldwork and geospatial analysis, preferably in compliance-driven settings.
- Advanced skills in ArcGIS, including ArcPro mapping and analysis; possession of a GIS certificate.
- Experience conducting archaeology and NHPA scope for a federal government agency.
- Experience performing or leading archaeological work with federal MOA, Section 106 and Section 110.
Compensation & Benefits
The grade level for this position will be predicated on the successful candidate's level of experience and ability to perform the essential duties of this position, based on the criteria above. Corresponding salary ranges for each respective grade level are as follows:
Grade 17: $99,063 - $124,788
Grade 18: $109,013 - $137,538
Senior Level:
Grade 19: $119,813 - $151,038
Grade 20: $131,888 - $166,263
HMIS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visit our benefits website: https://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/employeebenefits
In accordance with the HMIS salary determination process, offers will be made by taking into consideration the level of assigned job duties, responsibilities, and the candidate's qualifications relative to internal peers and the external labor market. A candidate's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions. The salary range listed represents the full range of salary that may be offered.
This position may be required to complete a probationary period. Benefits for eligible employees will begin on day one.
In compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Field Office (HFO) direction, employees issued initial badges on or after September 1st, 2025, are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation encompasses multiple areas of eligibility and includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.