Project Level Paleontologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Level Paleontologist - Field Director to support our West Region's paleontological resources program. This position is a regular, full-time, hourly position and will primarily be field-based in southern Nevada, reporting to the Las Vegas office. Under supervision of a Senior Paleontological Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, an Assistant Project Paleontologist-Field Director performs field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members.

The Assistant Project Paleontologist - Field Director will manage all aspects of fieldwork, supervising one or more crews of paleontological monitors, surveyors, and/or excavators. They may also assist with office-based tasks, including quality assurance of field reporting, developing client and subcontractor relationships in support of field projects, and preparation of technical reports in support of a variety of projects including, energy transmission, renewable energy, mining, oil and gas, transportation, and land development.

Some projects include overtime hours or prevailing wage rates and will require travel and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. This is a regular, full-time position and is a wonderful career-growth opportunity for the right candidate to join SWCA's expanding paleontology practice. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

In addition, a technology (i.e., cell phone) allowance is offered.

Anticipated fieldwork will primarily occur in southern Nevada, as well as in California, Utah, and other U.S. western states. The candidate may be asked to submit to background screening and drug testing in order to work on certain facilities. Candidates local to southern Nevada are strongly preferred (the local office is in Las Vegas), but candidates in northern Nevada, southern California, northern Arizona, western Utah, and other regions of the western U.S. who are willing to regularly travel to southern Nevada will be considered.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 1,850+ staff, employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services.
Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA
; we are #Always Learning
, we #Never Settle
, and we #Give Back
.

Under this job requisition, we may hire the following job position:

• Assistant Project Paleontologist - Typically with up to three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Associate Project Paleontologist - Typically with up to five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Project Paleontologist - Typically with up to seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Final date to receive applications:
The project will begin in June 2026. Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until a robust pool of candidates is identified and may close without prior notice once suitable individuals are selected.

• Supervise and conduct fieldwork, including paleontological construction monitoring and survey and ensure quality and completeness of data collected. Coordinates with resource monitors and subcontractors, as appropriate.
• Serve as a permitted Field Agent, working under the direction of other Principal Investigators, Project Managers, Environmental Planners, and/or the Paleontology Team Lead.
• Manage quality and completeness of data collection, analysis, and report completion from start to finish. Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets and Geodes.
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff.
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork.
• Field Directors may also assist with office-based tasks, including performing literature reviews, background research, record searches, and technical report preparation. This work may be done remotely.
• Comply with SWCA and client safety programs, and assist in the development of such programs.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.
• Build collaborative relationships across offices/geographies to share resources and expertise.

• Must meet the criteria to be approved as a "Field Agent" on…