Project Level Paleontologist (Temporary)

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Broomfield, CO

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Temporary Project-level Paleontologist to support our Rocky Mountain Plains region, reporting to the Denver Office. This position temporary and expected to run from late April/early May to early November, with potential for returning annual work. Employment may extend to other projects upon season completion. Under supervision of a Paleontological Resources Lead, the Project Paleontologist will be primarily focused on field efforts, including working independently and with small field crews in surveys and monitoring, and assisting with report preparation activities when not in the field. In particular, when working with a field crew, the Project Paleontologist will be expected to provide daily direction for survey and monitoring efforts, give instruction and guidance on proper data recording techniques, be able to identify and properly assess significance of fossils discovered in the field, work with others (other paleontologists, construction crews, agency personnel) to properly mitigate these finds, and other project related tasks. The Project Paleontologist may also assist with quality assurance of data collection and field reporting, developing client and subcontractor relationships in support of field projects, and preparation and review of technical reports. The Project Paleontologist will be involved in a variety of projects including energy transmission, oil and gas development, and surface mining efforts. Many projects will involve days with long hours and will require travel and overnight stays. Overtime will be paid as appropriate, project-related travel and lodging costs are covered (including rental vehicles), and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. This position is a wonderful career-growth opportunity for the right candidate to join SWCA’s expanding paleontology practice and will likely lead into paleontological project experiences well beyond the Rocky Mountain Plains region. Anticipated fieldwork will primarily occur in Colorado and Wyoming, but may include Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and other states throughout the western U.S. The candidate may be asked to submit to background screening and drug testing to work on certain projects. Candidates local to Colorado or Wyoming are strongly preferred, but candidates in northern Arizona, western Nevada, Utah, and other regions of the western U.S. who are willing to regularly travel will be considered. SWCA is a growing, 1,700+ staff, employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. This is especially true for the Paleontology Team. Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission. Under this job requisition, we may hire the following job position: Assistant Project Paleontologist - Typically with at least three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise. Associate Project Paleontologist - Typically with at least five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise. Project Paleontologist - Typically with at least seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Requirements

Must meet the criteria to be approved as a “Field Agent” on the Wyoming and Colorado Paleontological Resource Use permits. (Ideal candidate will qualify as a “Field Agent” on all of our BLM permits and applicable State permits.)
M.S. or Ph.D. in paleontology, geology (with an emphasis on paleontology), biology (with an emphasis on paleontology and experience with geology), or a closely related field is preferred. A B.S. may be accepted if the candidate has at least 2 full years working as an assistant to a Principal Paleontologist with administrative and project management experience and reporting experience in the greater Rocky Mountain-Plains region (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and/or New Mexico). Additional experience in the broader western United States is a benefit.
At least three (3) years of professional consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility.
Knowledge of local geology and paleontology with prior experience performing paleontological field work in, and technical writing on subjects relevant to the paleontology of the Rocky Mountain-Plains region. Demonstrate knowledge of various types of fossils, collection methods, basic field geology skills, such as rock descriptions, measuring and diagraming stratigraphic columns, and recognizing fossils in the field, including trace fossils.
Experience with a variety of laboratory techniques, including fossil identification, matrix screening, fossil preparation, and curation.
Field skills, including the ability to locate, document, excavate, and identify fossils while documenting their geographic, taphonomic, lithologic, and stratigraphic context.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements and the capability to safely operate a four-wheel drive vehicle on rugged backcountry roads in a variety of weather conditions.
Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Must have the ability to use excavation tools. Must be able to hike up to 8-miles per day.
Must be comfortable working around large, fast-moving construction equipment in noisy, outdoor environments with uneven terrain and other potential hazards. Must be able to communicate effectively with construction crews.
Willingness to travel to project areas throughout the western United States and stay in a hotel for extended periods, which will include stints of 3 weeks or longer, depending upon project needs.
Ability to work long field days, typically lasting 10 to 12 hours per day, which may last for 6 days per week or more, depending upon project needs. (Overtime will be paid at time-and-a-half as appropriate.)
Field work may be conducted in freezing temperatures or temperatures over 100 degrees on some occasions, in a variety of weather conditions, over rugged terrain, and at high altitudes.
Ability to adapt quickly to changes in project needs including agency requests, client demands, inclement weather, crew makeup and size, extension or reduction of mobilization periods, etc. May also include the need to suddenly relocate from one project location/effort to another at a moment’s notice.
Good understanding and recognition of own personal field needs including awareness of building exhaustion, heat stress, low level joint and muscle strain, or other cases of general fatigue that may impact personal performance, project progress, or crew health and safety.
Strong preference for applicants to be physically located in SWCA's Rocky Mountain-Plains region or willing to relocate. Applicants who wish to continue residing outside of this region may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with paleontological mitigation projects including construction monitoring is highly desirable. Experience working on large-scale energy and transmission construction projects, oil and gas projects, or mining projects is preferred.
MSHA certification preferred.
OSHA certification preferred.
CPR and First Aid certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as the head paleontology professional on project teams, serving as a permitted Field Agent or Principal Investigator, working under the direction of (other) Principal Investigators, Project Managers, and/or Paleontology Leads.
Prepare and complete accurate logs for field surveys, monitoring, fossil collection, fossil preparation, or other related efforts.
Supervise and conduct fieldwork, including paleontological construction monitoring and survey, and ensure the quality and completeness of data collected in the field by the field crew. Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets and Geodes.
Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork. Create daily survey and monitoring plans when working with a field crew to provide clear direction/division of efforts.
Communicate regularly and effectively with paleontology leads, project managers, field crews, resource monitors, subcontractors, construction crews, and clients to ensure reliable, consistent, and high-quality services and deliverables.
Oversee and perform quality assurance/quality control of services and deliverables, including impact assessments and management recommendations.
Assist in the preparation of proposal scopes and budgets.
Help organize and track schedules, budgets, and project key performance indicators to ensure project requirements are met.
Supervise and mentor personnel in the field, office, and laboratory; assign or delegate project tasks to junior staff, and communicate technical needs to Principal Investigators, Project Managers, and/or Paleontology Team Leads.
Comply with SWCA and client safety programs and assist in the development of such programs. Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.
Build collaborative relationships across offices/geographies to share resources and expertise.
Uphold SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and assurance, demonstrating the ability to identify and creatively resolve challenges.