Staff Level Paleontologist (Temporary)
About the role
SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff-Level Paleontologist to join our Las Vegas, Nevada team. In this temporary position, you will primarily conduct paleontological resource monitoring and fieldwork for projects located in southern Nevada, 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), Assistant Staff Paleontologist (typically up to 1 year), or Staff Paleontologist (typically up to 2 years). For Assistant Staff and Staff Paleontologist positions, depending upon project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise a crew in the field, including assigning and directing activities, ensuring understanding of responsibilities, serving as a conduit of communication, receiving and resolving complaints, and monitoring team productivity.
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.
Responsibilities
- Field surveys
- Construction monitoring
- Excavations
- Fossil salvages
- Other field tasks as needed
- Travel required, including overnight stays, weekend work, and out-of-state travel
- Thorough, accurate, and efficient collection and recordation of paleontologic, lithologic, and stratigraphic data
- Assist with data entry, management, and analysis as needed
- Field work may require hiking, standing in one place, or driving long distances
Qualifications
- Education and professional experience in paleontology or geology – possession of a B.S. or B.A. degree with an emphasis in paleontology, earth science, or geology, or demonstrated equivalent experience is required
- 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; must be able to carry various types of field equipment and supplies
- Ability to use excavation tools
- Valid driver’s license with a good driving record; must comply with SWCA safety policies
Skills
- Fossil preparation and/or museum curation experience
- Data management and GIS experience
- Prior experience with paleontological mitigation projects including construction monitoring is highly desirable
Pay
Pay is dependent on experience. SWCA posts good faith pay ranges: Paleontological Technician: $19.13‑$25.25 per hour; Assistant Staff Paleontologist: $21.42‑$27.54 per hour; Staff Paleontologist: $23.72‑$30.35 per hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.
Schedule
This is a temporary, hourly position requiring a typical field schedule with travel, including overnight stays, weekend work, and out‑of‑state travel.
Benefits
- Wellness paid time off
- Employee assistance program
- Wellness program activities
- Career development programs and internal promotion opportunities