Paleontology Fellow - Bryce Canyon National Park

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bryce Canyon National Park, (NPS), is seeking one Paleontologist Fellow to serve with the Bryce Canyon National Park's Resources Division and assist NPS Resources Staff with paleontological, surveying and monitoring.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: April 14, 2024

Estimated End Date: February 1, 2025

*a 30 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Sitting high on a forested plateau in south-central Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its concentration of natural rock bridges, windows, and, especially, colorful limestone hoodoos-improbably-balanced rock spires that erode out of towering cliffs and fins. In addition to the hoodoos and other exposed rock outcrops, the park contains large swaths of ponderosa and pinyon-juniper forest, punctuated by sagebrush meadows, and laced with typically dry drainages. The area receives about 16" of precipitation a year, half in the form of winter snow and the remainder in dramatic summer monsoon storms. Because the elevation extends from 7,000-9,000 feet, summer temperatures remain comparatively cool, rarely reaching the 90s and dipping into the 40s overnight. Small grocery stores and amenities are available in nearby communities, but the nearest larger resources are in Cedar City, a 1.5-hour drive away. Meanwhile, the park is surrounded by millions of acres of public land and abundant recreation opportunities, including Dixie National Forest, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument, and Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks. The park itself contains 35,835 acres, 20,810 of which are Recommended Wilderness, and features about 70 miles worth of maintained trails.

For more information about Bryce Canyon, please visit Basic Information - Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Position Overview: The Paleontology Technician ACE Member will be aiding Bryce Canyon National Park through:

• Assist in the development of the parks paleontological program. This will be accomplished by assisting in the writing of the park's Paleontological Management Plan.
• Assist in the preparation of leading the parks college trainees in field surveying and monitoring of existing paleontological sites, the discovery and recording of new paleontological sites.
• Summarize field data to produce scientific technical reports on paleontological sites located within the park.
• Prepare field specimens for seasonal changes and removal from the field if necessary.
• Partner with the Interpretation Division to provide programs, outreach, and educational opportunities to local communities and park visitors. This will include providing expert knowledge during visitor information walks and talks.
• Work with park partners to address resource issues at local, regional, or national level. These issues can involve site degradation, visitor safety, and artifact collection.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Work schedule is 5/4/9. The first week being 5 days (M - F) and the second week being 4 days (M - TH) worked. Nine-hour workdays with starting time between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM with the day ending between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM, with a 30 minute or one-hour long lunch break. All times are Mountain Standard Time zone.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $850/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal 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, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Park housing will be provided at the expense to the ACE Member. A monthly rental payment will be due each month..

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• 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 the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Geology and Paleontology Studies.
• Ability and willingness to traverse rough and uneven terrain while surveying and inventorying.
• Deep interest in Paleontology, specifically; Late Cretaceous and Early Paleocene.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Bryce Canyon NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact Western Programs Manager, Deanna Stark at dstark@usaconservation.org.EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Current Openings for Paleontology Fellow Bryce Canyon National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC