Consulting Cultural Resource Scientist

Job Description

The Consulting Cultural Resource Scientist leads the most complex and high-profile cultural resource projects across the company's operations, including transmission, substation, wildfire mitigation, underground, hydroelectric, renewable energy, generation, natural gas, and other utility infrastructure programs. The position serves as a senior technical resource, supports workload balancing across cultural resource portfolios, and provides mentorship and guidance to cultural resources staff and consultants.

Working under the direction of the Cultural Resources Supervisor, the Consulting Cultural Resource Scientist serves as a senior technical and project delivery leader supporting implementation of the company's cultural resources management program and hydro-license cultural resource commitments. This position provides advanced expertise in cultural resources compliance, utility infrastructure project delivery, Section 106 consultation, consultant management, technical quality assurance, and cultural resource program implementation.

All PSE employees are expected to uphold the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities and promote and support a culture of total safety. Additionally, employees need to demonstrate commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. All duties are to be performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Works under the direction of the Cultural Resources Supervisor to support implementation of PSE's cultural resources program. 
• Serves as a senior technical resource supporting implementation of the company's cultural resources management program and hydro-license cultural resource commitments. 
• Leads cultural resource compliance efforts for complex utility infrastructure projects, including transmission lines, substations, wildfire mitigation initiatives, undergrounding programs, hydroelectric facilities, renewable energy projects, generation facilities, and other capital improvement projects.
• Leads Section 106 compliance efforts for assigned projects, including consultation, regulatory coordination, effects assessment, treatment planning, and agreement development. 
• Provides senior-level technical review and quality assurance of cultural resource reports, permit applications, technical studies, compliance documents, agreement documents, treatment plans, and consultant deliverables.
• Develops consultant scopes of work and manages consultant schedules, budgets, deliverables, and technical performance for assigned projects and programs.
• Coordinates with Tribes, regulatory agencies, project managers, engineers, planners, consultants, and internal stakeholders to support successful project delivery and regulatory compliance.
• Leads implementation of cultural resource commitments associated with hydroelectric operations and FERC-licensed facilities, including cultural resource studies, monitoring programs, site stewardship activities, museum and collections initiatives, and Cultural Resource Advisory Group commitments.
• Maintains and prioritizes assigned project portfolios and develops tracking systems to monitor project reviews, consultant activities, cultural resource commitments, schedules, permits, and regulatory obligations.
• Develops and implements program tools, tracking systems, workflows, and best management practices that improve project delivery, compliance performance, and operational efficiency.
• Represents the Cultural Resources Program in meetings, advisory groups, technical working groups, and professional forums as assigned. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS and Master’s in Environmental Science, Biology, Hydrology, Engineering, Anthropology, Mathematics or similar with 10 years of experience in the field (two years of appropriate additional experience may be considered in lieu of advanced degree).
• Significant experience in electric and/or gas supply industry or equivalent. 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Expert analytical skills. 
• Demonstrated capability in leadership, team building, and establishing long-term relationships with regulatory agency contacts.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources Management, or a closely related field required
• Meet the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology and be qualified to obtain or maintain archaeological permits and WISAARD access in Washington State.
• Ten (10) years or more of progressively responsible professional experience in cultural resources management, archaeological compliance, historic preservation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading Section 106 consultation and development of Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs), Programmatic Agreements (PAs), or other cultural resource compliance documents.
• Experience supporting renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation, natural gas, or other utility infrastructure projects.
• Professional experience working with Tribes in the Pacific Northwest and coordinating government-to-government consultation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and provide sound technical and regulatory recommendations.

Additional Information