Staff Level Paleontologist (Temporary)

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Riverside, CA

12d•$22 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff-Level Paleontologist to join our Southern CA team. In this temporary position, you will primarily conduct paleontological resource monitoring and fieldwork for projects located in the Inland Empire, as well as other areas in Southern California and the western United States. The ideal candidate will be able to work a typical field schedule and adapt to project needs. The candidate could fill one of our Staff Level roles based on skill and years of relevant experience: Paleontological Technician: Typically up to 6 months of relevant experience and expertise. Assistant Staff Paleontologist: Typically up to 1 year of relevant experience and expertise. Staff Paleontologist: Typically up to 2 years of relevant experience and expertise. For assistant staff and staff Paleontologist positions, depending upon project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise a biological survey crew in the field. This includes: Independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery; Ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely; Serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers; Receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; and Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when corrective action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback. This position is temporary, hourly. Pay is dependent on experience. 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.

Requirements

B.S. or B.A. degree with an emphasis in paleontology, earth science, or geology or demonstrated equivalent experience is required.
One year experience monitoring.
Knowledge of basic field geology skills, such as rock descriptions, measuring stratigraphic columns, and recognizing fossils including trace fossils.
Proficiency or ability in recognizing various types of fossils, in collection methods, and in other paleontological field techniques.
Ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours in sometimes inclement weather conditions, including walking up to 10 miles per day often in rugged terrain.
Ability to carry various types of field equipment and supplies.
Must have the ability to use excavation tools.
Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
Must comply with SWCA safety policies.

Nice To Haves

Fossil preparation and/or museum curation experience.
Data management and GIS experience.
Prior experience with paleontological mitigation projects including construction monitoring is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Field surveys.
Construction monitoring.
Excavations.
Fossil salvages, and other field tasks as needed.
Collection and recordation of paleontologic, lithologic and stratigraphic data.
Assist with data entry and management, and data analysis.
Independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
Ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely.
Serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers.
Receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field.
Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when corrective action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback.