Paleontology Member - Grand Canyon National Park
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park is seeking ONE Paleontology Member to contribute to projects related to the preservation of the park's fossil record project alongside NPS Staff.
For the full application and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/766859.html
Start Date: September 12, 2022
End Date: March 3, 2023
*a 25-week minimum commitment is required, with possibility of extension*
Location: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon's substantial stratigraphic record shows the canyon has been home to ancient sharks, Permian plants, proto-reptiles, and now-extinct mammals as the environment shifted from hospitable oceans to harsh deserts over hundreds of millions of years.
For more information about Grand Canyon National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm.
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Travel Allowance: Reimbursement in travel expenses to report to duty at the work site (Flagstaff, AZ), not to exceed $600. Work-related travel expenses will also be reimbursed.
Professional Development Allowance: $1600 available for training/ conferences/ and other professional development opportunities.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. Many staff live in and commute from Flagstaff, AZ which is approximately 45 minutes away.
Work Environment: Work environment will include both field and office work. Field work could consist of remote backcountry travel and camping in rugged terrain under a wide range of weather conditions. Extensive outdoor experience is important for these activities. Staff safety is a top priority with ACE and the NPS. Office work is relatively sedentary and requires computer access and use of Microsoft office products as well as other software programs on government computers.
Position Description: Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) is seeking candidates for a minimum 6-month (with possibility of extension) Paleontology fellowship through the ACE-EPIC (American Conservation Experience-Emerging Professionals in Conservation) program beginning in approximately September 2022. The Member will report to the Physical Sciences Program Manager or his designee and will support Paleontology inventory and research in the Geosciences Program of the Science and Resource Management Division in Flagstaff, Arizona. Field work in the Grand Canyon will be a significant part of the workload.
The ACE Fellow will work with and support a multi-disciplinary team involved with documenting and researching the fossil record preserved at Grand Canyon National Park. The paleontology Member will be assigned weekly duties to support all aspects of the field work, data management, research, report writing, and other activities to support the park Paleontology program. Through this position, the ACE Member will gain knowledge and experience involving the operations of the National Park Service and the practices and procedures undertaken by the NPS Paleontology Program involving fossil inventories and research. This includes procedures for field documentation of fossil localities, management of paleontological resource data and specimens, engagement in scientific research projects with NPS and outside collaborators, and educational outreach activities related to the park's paleontology.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.
Qualifications:
Required
- An undergraduate degree in Geosciences or a related field with coursework and/or training in Paleontology, Sedimentology, and Geologic Field Methods, or similar subjects.
- Ability to recognize and identify fossils and trace fossils.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Office products, ArcGIS, and database software (Access to government computer systems will require passing a background security check.)
- Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
- Must be physically fit for outdoor duties in all types of inclement weather and at high and low altitudes (2000 to 9,000 feet)
- Must be able to carry and lift up to 50 pounds and serve on steep and rough terrain in the backcountry of the park
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
Preferred Skills:
- Interest in pursuing research on the Permian Hermit Formation Paleoecology, including aspects of Paleontology, Ichnology, Taxonomy, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, or Geochronology
- Field experience in desert environments with rugged terrain
- Knowledge and ability managing data in ArcGIS
- Knowledge and ability utilizing GNSS and data collection equipment in the field
- Good field note taking, writing, and communication skills
- Ability to contribute to and convey scientific research to a broad audience
- Ability to operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle on rough unimproved roads
- First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, or similar training
- Pursuing, or interested in pursuing, a graduate degree in Geosciences
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/766859.html.
Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time.
For priority consideration please apply by August 23, 2022.
If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Victoria Yee at vyee@usaconservation.org.
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.