Senior Cultural Resource Scientist

Job Description

The Senior Cultural Resource Scientist will direct the design, implementation, analysis, and management of detailed environmental, cultural, and/or hydrologic activities that support company objectives and programs. This role will develop and oversee programs designed to conduct, review, and monitor activities within assigned disciplines that are associated with the construction and operation of company energy facilities. The Senior Cultural Resource Scientist will perform and oversee environmental, cultural, hydrologic, and operational analyses, modeling, and field investigations that support PSE’s operational infrastructure. 

This position may also conduct resource planning and perform complex statistical analyses and modeling to support technical evaluations and business needs. The Senior Cultural Resource Scientist will work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to achieve departmental and cross-functional objectives and will coordinate closely with Operations and other departments to support successful project and program delivery.

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

• Conducts agency coordination and consultation as a representative of PSE. 
• Develops standard operating procedures, documents programmatic evaluations, secures appropriate permits and/or regulatory approvals, and conducts other administrative duties in support of company programs and operations.
• Performs and coordinates a wide variety of complex environmental analyses in cross discipline areas and design tasks in the plant and office settings.
• Prepares and manages projects. 
• Serves as the task lead for field investigations and programmatic monitoring activities. 
• Conducts environmental field work which may include biological monitoring, streamflow monitoring, physical data collection, and/or cultural management activities related to PSE’s operation facilities.
• Develops compliance reports, standard operating procedures, and documentation of resource management activities and monitoring procedures.
• Establishes and maintains relational database of input variables and develop data warehousing strategies for operational forecasting.
• Supervises consultants in project support.
• Performs and coordinates a variety of complex analyses and design tasks in the plant and office settings.
• Develops and maintains tools for managing daily and annual operating records for operation facilities.
• Establishes and maintains relational databases of input variables and develop data warehousing strategies for operational purposes.
• Provides clear reporting and documentation of assigned activities.
• Supports budget development and tracking.
• Establishes and maintains data QC and post-processing procedures for all field activities.
• Provides support for other departmental administrative activities, initiatives, and projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or Master’s Environmental Science, Biology, Hydrology, Engineering, Anthropology, Mathematics, or similar with 7 or more years of experience in the field (four years of appropriate additional experience may be considered in lieu of advanced degree).
• Experience and proficiency with MS Office, including Excel and Access, or industry equivalent software applications.

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.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• 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