Staff Paleontologist (Temporary)

About the role

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Temporary Assistant Project Paleontologist to support projects in our Rocky Mountain Plains region, based out of the Denver or Sheridan office. This position will primarily support an ongoing paleontological mitigation project in southwestern Wyoming through October 2026, with potential extension into early 2027 and opportunities for future project work across the western United States.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and conduct paleontological monitoring, surveys, fossil recovery, data collection, quality assurance, and project documentation.
• Provide field leadership, coordinate field crews, and communicate with clients and construction personnel.
• Support project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Serve as the lead paleontology professional on field projects, acting as a permitted Field Agent or Principal Investigator, as applicable.
• Plan and coordinate field efforts, including staffing, equipment, logistics, and daily work assignments.
• Ensure data accuracy, quality control, and completion of field documentation and deliverables.
• Prepare or contribute to technical reports, impact assessments, and management recommendations.
• Track project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics to support successful project execution.
• Mentor and direct field, laboratory, and junior staff.
• Communicate effectively with project managers, clients, agencies, contractors, and field teams.
• Support and uphold SWCA and client safety requirements.
• Maintain SWCA's standards for scientific quality, ethics, and professionalism.

Field Assignments

• Extended travel and hotel stays, often three weeks or longer.
• Work schedules of up to six days per week.
• Long field days averaging 12 to 14 hours.
• Work in remote locations, rugged terrain, and varying weather conditions.

Requirements

• Must qualify as a Wyoming Paleontological Resource Use Permit Field Agent.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Paleontology, Geology, Biology, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree may be considered with equivalent Wyoming-based experience and project leadership responsibilities.
• Minimum four years of professional paleontological consulting experience with increasing responsibility.
• Minimum two years of paleontological mitigation experience in Wyoming.
• Experience leading field crews and conducting construction monitoring projects.
• Experience preparing or contributing to paleontological mitigation reports for BLM or other regulatory agencies.
• Strong knowledge of Wyoming and Rocky Mountain Plains geology, paleontology, fossil identification, mitigation methods, and field techniques.
• Experience with fossil identification, excavation, documentation, curation, and laboratory methods.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate four-wheel-drive vehicles on rugged roads.
• Ability to travel extensively, work extended schedules, hike up to eight miles per day, lift up to 40 pounds, and work in demanding outdoor environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualification on multiple BLM and state paleontology permits.
• Experience supporting energy, transmission, mining, or oil and gas projects.
• MSHA, OSHA, CPR, and First Aid certifications.
• Experience throughout the Rocky Mountain Plains or broader western United States.

Benefits

• Project-related travel, lodging, rental vehicles, per diem, and overtime pay will be provided as applicable.
• Wellness paid time off.
• Employee assistance program and wellness program activities.
• Career development programs and resources through SWCA’s Career Landscape.

Pay

An employee in this position will have a pay rate of $23.72/hour to $30.35/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.