Senior Paleontologist

Environmental Science Associates•Los Angeles, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a Senior Paleontologist in Southern California with over 20 years of experience. This role involves leading paleontological monitoring, surveys, testing, fossil salvage, recordation of fossil localities, strat columns, and sensitive formations, curation, and preparing environmental permit applications and supporting documentation. The position is within ESA's Cultural Resources Group and offers potential for remote and hybrid work for the right candidate, though commuting in and around Southern California for field work is preferred. The Senior Paleontologist will lead multi-faceted paleontological resource evaluations, research, and analyses, manage field crews, and mentor junior staff. Responsibilities include archival research, paleontological resource assessments, development of historic and cultural contexts, survey and resource documentation, impact analysis meeting CEQA requirements, and serving as the primary author of paleontological resource assessment reports for MND and EIR sections. The role also involves assisting with scopes of work, budgets, proposal writing, and cross-training cultural resources staff. Candidates should be comfortable working in diverse environments, including urban, remote, and rural settings, and be able to perform physical outdoor work in various weather conditions and terrains.

Requirements

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.
20+ years of experience in relevant scientific or environmental consulting environments.
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.
Graduate degree in paleontology or a closely related field.
Ability to lead field crews and produce well-written and technically supported documents.
Ability to work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams.
Excellent organizational and strong problem-solving skills.
Clear understanding of project management principles and practices.
Ability and desire to mentor junior staff members.
Ability to organize and develop a paleontological practice within the southern California cultural resources group.
Confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
Minimum of six months of field experience or relative academic field experience in Southern California.
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

Candidates with the capability to commute in and around the southern California area for field work as needed is preferred.
Familiar with working on active construction sites.
Completing locality forms.
Knowledgeable of fossil materials and sensitive formations common to the region.
Ability to work some nights and/or weekends.

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.
Manage paleontological monitoring, surveys, testing and fossil salvage.
Recordation of fossil localities, strat columns, and sensitive formations.
Curation of paleontological resources.
Prepare environmental permit applications and supporting documentation.