Staff Level Paleontologist (Temporary)

About the role

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 paleontological 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
• Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when corrective action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback

This position is temporary and hourly.

Responsibilities

The Staff Level Paleontologist is a field-based position. SWCA paleontological field technicians assist with:

• Field surveys
• Construction monitoring
• Excavations
• Fossil salvages, and other field tasks as needed

Travel is required for this position, including overnight stays, weekend work, and out-of-state travel. We place an emphasis on thorough, accurate, and efficient collection and recordation of paleontologic, lithologic, and stratigraphic data. Field techs may also be required to assist with data entry and management, and data analysis.

Requirements

• Education and professional experience in paleontology or geology - possession of 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. Monitors must demonstrate 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 and a good driving record; and must comply with SWCA safety policies

Preferred 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

SWCA posts good faith pay ranges to promote pay equity and transparency. The hourly pay rate for this Pasadena, CA-based position is:

• Paleontological Technician: $21.52 - $28.40/hour
• Assistant Staff Paleontologist: $24.10 - $30.98/hour
• Staff Paleontologist: $26.68 - $34.14/hour

Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Wellness paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness program activities
• Career development programs, including award-winning Career Landscape support resources