Senior Paleontologist
About The Position
Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a Senior Paleontologist in Southern California with over 20 years of experience. The role involves managing and conducting paleontological monitoring, surveys, testing, fossil salvage, recording fossil localities, strat columns, and sensitive formations, curation, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation. This position is within the Cultural Resources Group and offers potential for remote and hybrid work, though commuting in and around Southern California for field work is preferred. The ideal candidate will lead multi-faceted paleontological resource evaluations, research, and analyses, and mentor junior staff. ESA is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm with a strong presence across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.
Requirements
- 20+ years of experience in relevant scientific or environmental consulting environments.
- 20+ years of experience performing paleontological monitoring, surveys, testing and fossil salvage, recordation of fossil localities, strat columns, and sensitive formations, curation, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation.
- Graduate degree in paleontology or a closely related field.
- Excellent field, writing, time/budget management, and organizational capabilities.
- Agency coordination and client service experience.
- Proficiency in the management of paleontological resources within the context of CEQA.
- Experience with leading paleontological survey and salvage projects, documentation, evaluation, and treatment of fossil resources.
- Experience preparing EIR and MND sections and developing mitigation measures.
- Ability to lead field crews and produce well-written and technically supported documents.
- Ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated understanding of project management principles and practices.
- Ability and desire to mentor junior staff members.
- Confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
- Ability to walk long distances carrying up to 50lbs of gear in a wide variety of conditions, including strenuous natural habitats and difficult weather.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Experience driving 4 wheel-drive vehicles off-road.
Nice To Haves
- Familiar with working on active construction sites.
- Experience completing locality forms.
- Knowledgeable of fossil materials and sensitive formations common to the region.
- Minimum of six months of field experience or relative academic field experience in Southern California.
Responsibilities
- Manage and carry out surveys and technical document preparation on a wide range of projects.
- Manage and conduct archival research, paleontological resources assessments, development of historic and cultural contexts, paleontological survey and resource documentation, resource evaluations, and impacts analysis meeting CEQA and other requirements.
- Serve as the primary author of paleontological resource assessment reports for MND and EIR sections.
- Supervise project teams and participate in and/or lead client meetings.
- Assist in preparing scopes of work and budgets, including providing technical input, contributing to proposal writing, and engaging with proposal/interview teams.
- Provide mentorship and support for junior staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance.
- Cross train qualified cultural resources staff to support field and monitoring projects.
- Perform paleontological monitoring, surveys, testing and fossil salvage.
- Record fossil localities, strat columns, and sensitive formations.
- Manage curation of paleontological resources.
- Prepare environmental permit applications and supporting documentation.
- Lead field crews and produce well-written and technically supported documents.
- Work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams.
- Organize and develop a paleontological practice within the southern California cultural resources group.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family)
- Annual allocations of company share through our ESOP
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Tuition reimbursement
- Professional development bonuses
- Attendance at conferences
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
