Staff Level Paleontologist (Temporary)

SWCA Environmental Consultants • Half Moon Bay, CA

11d • $26 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring an Assistant Staff or Staff Paleontologist for temporary work with its Paleontology team in the San Francisco Bay Area. The position conducts paleontological resources monitoring and fieldwork for a variety of Bay Area projects and reports to the Half Moon Bay, California office. Candidates based in the South Bay, East Bay, Peninsula, Santa Cruz, Salinas Valley, and around Carmel and Monterey are highly preferred. Depending on project assignments, the role may lead field survey crews, directing daily work, promoting safe and productive practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback.

The work includes paleontological and geological field investigations, surveys, construction monitoring, excavations, fossil recovery and salvage, sample analysis and preparation for curation, and documenting field data. The employee contributes to technical reports, survey plans, mitigation documents, and broader project planning, and provides recommendations on project clearance, resource avoidance, fossil collection, microfossil testing, and ground-disturbance monitoring. The position follows applicable regulations, standards, and safety requirements.

Work is regularly outdoors and may involve domestic travel, hiking over uneven and rugged terrain for long periods, carrying field equipment, and working in varying or extreme weather. The role may expose employees to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, and sharp or heavy tools. The position is temporary and non-exempt. The job posting provides separate hourly pay ranges for Assistant Staff Paleontologist ($25.70–$35.64) and Staff Paleontologist ($28.46–$39.89); actual pay may vary. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses. The role offers flexibility, paid wellness time, and opportunities to build technical skills and gain experience across environmental projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree emphasizing paleontology or geology, or demonstrated equivalent experience; the minimum qualifications also state knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher, with awareness and interest in one or more technical areas.
• Up to one year of related paleontology experience is listed in the experience and qualifications section; one year of related experience is described as preferred in the minimum qualifications.
• Knowledge of basic field geology skills, including rock descriptions, measuring stratigraphic columns, and recognizing fossils, including trace fossils.
• Monitors must demonstrate proficiency in recognizing various types of fossils, collection methods, and other paleontological field techniques.
• Ability to perform fieldwork for long hours in sometimes inclement weather, walk up to 10 miles per day often in rugged terrain, and carry field equipment and supplies.
• Ability to use excavation tools.
• Valid driver's license, good driving record, and compliance with SWCA driver and safety requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of related paleontology experience.
• A few months of monitoring experience in California or in the geologic province of a specific project.
• Fossil preparation and/or museum curation experience.
• Data management and GIS experience.
• Prior experience with paleontological mitigation projects, including construction monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field investigations and pedestrian surveys to gather data on paleontological and geological resources, ensuring appropriate agency approvals and curation agreements are in place.
• Analyze and test collected paleontological samples, determine their composition and significance, and prepare them for final curation at approved facilities.
• Observe and interpret geological and paleontological features to support resource management, project planning, and mitigation efforts.
• Collaborate with geospatial scientists and technical editors on technical reports, survey plans, and mitigation planning documents.
• Prepare plans to minimize impacts on protected paleontological and geological resources during project development and execution.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to incorporate paleontological resources into evaluation and planning documents.
• Recommend project clearance, resource avoidance, fossil collection, microfossil testing of matrix samples, and monitoring of ground disturbances.
• Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Assist with paleontological field investigations, including surveys, construction monitoring, excavations, fossil recovery or salvage, and other field activities.
• Collect, document, and record paleontological, lithologic, and stratigraphic data accurately and efficiently.
• Support data entry, database management, quality control, and analysis of field and project data.
• Maintain detailed field notes and contribute to technical documentation and project deliverables.
• Depending on assignments, lead field survey crews by directing daily work, promoting safe and productive practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback.
• Adhere to the safety program, look out for others' safety, and promptly communicate and mitigate hazards.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Benefits

• Flexibility.
• Paid wellness time.
• Opportunities to build technical skills and gain experience across a variety of environmental projects.
• Eligible employees may receive performance-based bonuses.
• Career development programs and Career Landscape support resources.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level