Director, Center Archaeological Investigations

Description

The Director of the Center for Archaeological Investigations (CAI) provides overall leadership for one of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s most productive and externally visible research units. The CAI is a cultural resource management–focused research center conducting archaeological work, curation, and compliance reporting across the Midwest and Southeastern United States. The Director serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on most externally funded CRM and research projects, oversees all fiscal and compliance matters, and provides strategic leadership in developing new contracts, partnerships, and funding streams.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Examples of Duties

The Director manages all phases of cultural resource management projects, from proposal development through fieldwork, analysis, and reporting. This includes serving as PI on federal, state, and private CRM contracts and ensuring compliance with Section 106, NEPA, NAGPRA, and 36 CFR Part 79. The position develops and maintains relationships with clients such as the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and private industry partners. The Director leads multi-year partnerships that integrate compliance archaeology with academic research and student training and ensures timely preparation of technical reports and deliverables.

The Director oversees an externally funded portfolio that typically exceeds one million dollars annually and serves as fiscal officer for all Center accounts, including state, grant, and foundation funds. The position manages federal cost-share obligations, including use of the Director’s salary as the institutional match, and plans for sustainable growth by expanding CAI’s client base and external funding opportunities.

The Director supervises six full-time professional staff, two graduate assistants, four temporary employees, undergraduate student workers, and four interns. The position provides leadership and professional development for staff and mentoring for students involved in applied archaeology and compliance projects.

The Director oversees management of CAI’s federally compliant curation repository, which houses more than 9,100 boxes of artifacts and 850 linear feet of documentation. The position ensures all curation operations meet 36 CFR Part 79 and NAGPRA requirements, coordinates consultation and repatriation through SIU’s NAGPRA Program, and ensures ethical and legal stewardship of human remains and cultural items.

The Director maintains active research and publication in the archaeology of the Midwest and Southeastern United States, particularly Illinois and adjacent regions. The position serves as a regional expert and contact for federal, state, tribal, and local agencies on archaeological and cultural resource issues and represents the University and CAI at professional meetings, conferences, and public events. The Director also supports academic collaboration and outreach programs that provide experiential learning opportunities preparing students for careers in cultural resource management.

Qualifications

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200 undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master’s degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties.

The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about employee benefits, employee tuition waivers, and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit: https://jobs.siu.edu/.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, and Employee Assistance Program.