Field Paleontologist - Project Geologist

FIELD PALEONTOLOGIST (PROJECT GEOLOGIST)

FT/ PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $36.04 - $46.00 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

The Geologic Mapping and Paleontology Program of the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is seeking a full‑time permanent Preparator – Field Paleontologist. This is a unique opportunity to build a career focused on field paleontology in Utah. This position will be focused on fulfilling Utah paleontology regulation regarding the documentation, preservation, and promotion of Utah’s vast paleontological resource. Funded by UGS base funding supplemented by federal projects at multiple scales including projects for NPS, BLM, USFS, and Statemap.

The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing paleontological field work and the preparation lab for a variety of paleontological projects with a focus on resource inventory, salvage, and research in support of understanding Utah’s geological history and strati graphic framework. Maintenance of Utah’s ever‑growing Paleontological Locality Database is a critical part of the program and with 25,000 records it is unrivaled anywhere.

• Oversee fossil preparation in UGS preparation lab by ensuring equipment is operational, preparing significant fossils, overseeing volunteers, and organizing the transfer of prepared specimens into appropriate repositories.
• Supervise paleontological field work by overseeing base camp operations, excavations, volunteers, collecting field data, and creating digital paleontological locality files.
• Perform geological field work that includes putting paleontological field data into geological context strati graphically and geographically.
• Prepare paleontological permit applications, supporting materials, and final reports for federal and state agencies as needed, working with the State Paleontologist.
• Review paleontological reports and publications for UGS, external scientists, and students; address review comments and complete reports on time for contract deliverables, and provide timely reviews of geologic publications in collaboration with other UGS staff and outside geoscientists.
• Work closely with the State Paleontologist to address issues related to paleontological resource management on public lands.
• Develop paleontological and geological expertise for Utah and share this expertise via conferences, publications, and public interaction.
• Collaborate with other Utah Geological Survey staff and external scientists investigating the geological heritage of Utah.

• B.S. in Geology or Biology (Paleontology) required; M.S. or Ph.D. in Geology or Biology (Paleontology) preferred.
• May underfill based on candidate’s experience level.
• Project Geologist - must be licensed as a geologist in the state of Utah.
• Geologist - doesn’t require licensure, but the incumbent is generally working toward becoming licensed.
• Must have experience in vertebrate fossil preparation and field excavation.
• Need to be able to assure personal safety in a variety of remote wilderness and urban settings.

• A track record of fossil preparation at both the micro and macro scale documented by portfolio of past fossil preparations.
• Experience in both paleontological inventory investigations and overseeing large‑scale vertebrate fossil excavations.
• Creating high‑quality digital quarry maps using ArcGIS (Arc Pro) and other map‑related software; experience conducting paleontological field work including fossil prospecting, site evaluation and documentation, excavation, quarry mapping, and stratigraphy.
• Experience developing 3‑D paleontological data through photogrammetry and other means.
• Experience with field work that involves safe travel through various remote wilderness and urban settings, and remote four‑wheel driving.
• Experience preparing reports, papers, and presentations including supporting figures, tables, and summary materials.
• Experience reviewing reports and providing constructive feedback to collaborators and coworkers.
• Experience with Utah paleontology and geology.

1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116, United States