Under the supervision of the Chief of the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, provides professional and technical assessments within the field of archaeology to public and private proponents concerning compliance with the National Preservation Act of 1966, the State Environmental Protection Act, and other State and Federal laws protecting archaeological properties. Works actively with government officials, tribal members, cultural resource professionals, and property owners to mitigate project impacts to archaeological resources significant to the state and nation; in Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission serves as agency archaeologist, administering the archaeological compliance program for the agency.

Evaluates environmental documents and survey reports prepared pursuant to State and Federal statutes and develops response; ensures that the response will meet Federal historic preservation program standards and that those standards are consistently applied in all evaluations;

Evaluates proposals for the excavation or removal of archaeological materials under the state's permitting authority for such activity, and makes recommendations to the State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the issuance of a permit;
Works proactively with government officials, tribal members, cultural resource professionals, and proponents to improve understanding of Federal and State laws protecting archeological sites so that project planning may occur more efficiently;

On a selected basis, conducts field examinations of archaeological sites or proposed construction areas and formulates recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer and others to contribute to the protection of identified sites;

Evaluates archaeological resources proposed for listing in the State or National Registers of Historic Places, and prepares or assists in the preparation of the nomination form to program standards;

Monitors contracts relating to archaeological resources, evaluates products, determines acceptability of the contract work;

Provides oversight for the archaeological element of the State Inventory of Cultural Resources and ensures that the element meets Federal program standards; provides similar oversight for the archaeological element of the State preservation plan;

Performs archaeological assessments of cultural resources on State Parks lands, Federal, tribal and State lands leased by State Parks; interacts with government officials, tribal members, cultural resource professionals, and proponents; authority to mitigate project impacts to archaeological resources under Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission jurisdiction;

Provides information and training to inform and educate agency officials and others in the theory, practice, and legal foundation of cultural resource management;

State Parks archaeologist will prepare or assist in the preparation of the nomination forms for sites on State Park lands but will not evaluate the nomination forms for determination of eligibility to the National Register;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: the broad field of cultural resource management as it is reflected in Federal and State laws, regulations, and policies; the science and practice of archaeology generally and the Pacific Northwest particularly.

Ability to: apply established program standards in all areas of the State historic preservation program involving archaeology; communicate effectively orally and in writing the program's position regarding archaeological matters; maintain creditable working relationships with program clients.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A Ph.D. in anthropology with specialization in archaeology. 

OR

A Master's degree in anthropology with specialization in archaeology and two years of professional experience in archaeological research, administration or management of which at least one year is at the supervisory level; at least four months of supervised field and analytic experience.

New class adopted December 12, 1978.
Revise class. Revises title (formerly Archaeologist), definition, minimum qualifications; adopted
September 13, 1983.
Revise class. Revises definition, general revision; adopted October 11, 1991.
Revise class. Revises class code (formerly 25950), general revision; adopted May 10, 2007 effective July 10, 2007.