Archaeologist Permit Holder

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields with dedication, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are devoted to fostering a community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. Here, you can apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental professionals on work that’s vital to our clients and the communities they serve. 

Join a team that’s naturally committed to the environment. 

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking an experienced Archaeologist and Permit Holder to support the continued growth of our Cultural and Social Sciences practice across Western Canada. This intermediate to senior technical role combines archaeological expertise, project leadership, business development, client management, and regulatory coordination. The successful candidate will hold or be eligible to hold archaeological permits in one or more western Canadian jurisdictions, including Nunavut and/or the Northwest Territories, and will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of archaeological investigations and assessments, archaeological mitigation programs, and cultural resource management projects for public and private sector clients.

This role is focused on North of 60 (N60); therefore, the successful candidate is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, provide technical leadership, mentor staff, support strategic growth initiatives, and serve as a trusted advisor to clients, Indigenous Nations, and regulators.

Your Key Responsibilities

Our work is grounded in collaboration, and success in this role depends on working closely with colleagues across disciplines, geographies, and levels of experience. While the successful candidate will provide technical leadership, they will also be an engaged team member who shares knowledge, supports others, and contributes to collective project and practice goals.

Technical Leadership

• Act as Permit Holder for archaeological investigations and cultural resource management projects


• Lead the design and execution of impact assessments (Heritage Resource Impact Assessment [HRIA], Archaeological Impact Assessment [AIA]), including archaeological surveys, monitoring programs, and mitigative excavations


• Interpret and apply territorial, provincial, and federal heritage legislation, guidelines, and permitting requirements


• Authorship of desktop reviews (Archaeological Overview Assessments [AOA]), regulatory applications and reporting, and other deliverables as required


• Familiarity with GIS tools for evaluation/definition of areas of potential and digital data collection


• Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams involving environmental assessment, Indigenous engagement, ecology, engineering, and planning specialists

Client , Stakeholder, and Indigenous Relations

• Build and maintain productive relationships with clients, regulators, Indigenous Nations, and stakeholders


• Participate in project meetings, engagement, and technical workshops


• Support meaningful Indigenous participation in heritage investigations where appropriate


• Act as a senior client-facing representative for archaeological services

People Leadership

• Mentor and develop archaeologists, field leads, and junior staff


• Foster a culture of safety, technical excellence, collaboration, and inclusion

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Strong archaeological field and technical expertise


• Demonstrated report-writing and technical communication skills


• Client relationship management skills


• Strong interpersonal and social skills and ability to interact across a broad range of audiences/technical backgrounds including internal and external clients, Indigenous groups and regulatory agencies


• Ability to effectively lead teams


• Strong understanding of heritage legislation and permitting processes


• Commitment to health, safety, quality, and ethical professional practice


• Willingness to travel for project work and business development opportunities, including in remote areas and via helicopter


• A valid class 5 driver’s license is required 

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related discipline required


• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in cultural resource management consulting


• Demonstrated experience serving as Permit Holder and Project Archaeologist


• Proven experience leading archaeological field programs and regulatory approvals


• Experience working with Indigenous communities and Rights Holders


• Experience supporting environmental assessment and regulatory applications considered an asset


• Ability to travel to remote locations within Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Territories.

Our team is committed to meaningful engagement and collaboration. As such, we strive to align our values with those of the Indigenous Nations whose communities we work in and lands we work on.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible