Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27133

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Working Title Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist

Brief Position Overview

Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University is seeking a skilled digital collections and field technician who has experience in surface scanning fossils, processing digital scan data, and excavating large vertebrate fossils to join its renowned team of paleontology professionals.

Position Number

Position Number 4C0695

Department

Department Museum of the Rockies

Division

Division Museum of the Rockies

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary $56,000 - $59,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

Museum of the Rockies has earned an international reputation for its paleontology research and is renowned for its field research program. MOR holds one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils collected in the United States and is designated as a repository for specimens collected on federal and state lands. As part of MOR's experienced paleontology staff, the Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist will contribute to the program through collecting digital specimen data, field excavations, and informal education.

• The Paleontology Digital Collections and Field Specialist reports to the Paleontology Collections Manager-Registrar and the Paleontology Field Manager.
• Duties consist of collecting digital specimen data, entering data into the MOR collections database, developing digital resource protocols, producing archival 3-dimensional models for research and education, and training and overseeing students and volunteers in digital paleontological techniques.
• Work will include assisting the Cultural/Historical Collections Department in 3D scanning important cultural artifacts.
• Leading and coordinating field excavations, including technical and logistical aspects such as:
  • Camp setup and takedown
  • Organizing equipment
  • Surveying fossiliferous formations
  • Surface and excavation collecting of fossils
  • Mapping fossil localities
  • Monitoring progress of field work
  • Keeping accurate field notes
  • Safely transporting fossils from the field to the museum
  • Coordinating and/or supporting informal science education and public outreach activities
  • Other duties as assigned

• B.S. Degree in paleontology, geology, or equivalent experience in similar fields of study.
• Minimum of 3 years of 3D scanning, hardware/software & post-processing experience
• Understanding of 3D modeling and reconstruction techniques.
• Proficiency in computer-aided design software.
• Minimum of 3 years of paleontological fieldwork experience including supervising students, planning logistics, and data recording.

• M.S. Degree in paleontology, geology or equivalent experience in similar fields of study.
• Minimum of 5 years of 3D scanning, hardware/software & post-processing experience.
• Experience w/Creaform, Artec, Leica Cyclone, or Creality Scanners.
• Experience w/I-Phone LIDAR scanning techniques.
• 10 years of paleontological field experience.

• Demonstrated…