Puesto de trabajo en el Museum of Western Colorado

The Museum of Western Colorado - Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, Colorado (USA) is looking for a seasonal (summer) Paleontology Field Coordinator to lead ongoing excavations in the Jurassic of western Colorado.

This is a fieldwork based position in which the participant will lead team effort to excavate fossils in established quarries, working under the direction of the curator of paleontology. The Field Coordinator will be responsible for leading public dig groups at the Mygatt-Moore Quarry in the Morrison Formation of western Colorado. Primary individual duties will include purchasing lunch supplies, preparing lunches, checking in guests daily, driving groups to and from the site, introducing participants to the geology and paleontology of the site, and training them on dig techniques and assigning their tasks. Oversight responsibilities include leading a team of volunteers and a field assistant (along with the participants) to excavate and record contextual data on Late Jurassic dinosaur material from a large quarry in the Morrison Formation. In addition, the field coordinator may help inventory existing museum collections and work in the prep lab. The field coordinator works under the direction of the curator of paleontology to ensure both the smooth operation of the daily dig program and maintenance of scientific standards in the excavation of this important site (and possibly others). Day to day operation of the quarry and dig program may often be entirely up to the Field Coordinator, however, so the positionrequires an experienced and independent individual with paleontological training.

This position is based out of Fruita, Colorado, which is located 10 miles from Grand Junction, Colorado on Interstate 70.  Housing in a 27 foot camp trailer at a nearby state park is available and free of charge. A valid driver's license and good record is required. Although not required, applicants are advised that a personal vehicle or bike will greatly help accessing services such as groceries, doctors, and other amenities (local in Fruita, less than 1 mile from Museum). Bus services are also available in the Fruita/Grand Junction area.

This position is for 16 weeks starting mid-late May 2013 and continuing through the end of August. Start and end dates can be negotiated if needed. This is a full-time position (36 hrs/wk) paying $13.50 per hour. Work is primarily performed outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions including extreme heat, gnats, wind and thunderstorms. Participants may be required to hike in rough terrain in a hot, dry climate sometimes carrying heavy loads up to 40 pounds. Work requires long periods of bending, stooping and working in cramped positions.  Work is often performed in wilderness areas of public lands.

Applicants should have a background in paleontology, a basic knowledge of fossil resources and their preservation, good handwriting and have a working knowledge of computers.  Familiarity with Mesozoic field paleontology is critical, and that of the Late Jurassic specifically would be  helpful but not necessary. To apply send a current resume and the names and phone numbers of two references to:   John Foster, Museum of Western Colorado, Dinosaur Journey,550 Jurassic Court, Fruita, CO 81521.

Deadline is March 6, 2013.

For more information regarding this position please contact John Foster - E-mail: jfoster@westcomuseum.org