POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4327
Position Title: Paleontology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Dinosaur National Monument, Jensen, Utah
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 06/01/2026
End Date: 08/24/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 1,956.35 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 600.00 per week, fixed rate
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
- Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: Mesozoic, Museum, Jurassic, paleontology, fossils
PURPOSE
This Paleontology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will contribute toward the conservation, management, research, and interpretation of the fossil and natural resources which define the purpose of Dinosaur National Monument.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP participant will assist with a variety of paleontology field projects and education and outreach activities, as well as ongoing collection and museum needs relating to the paleontological resources of the monument. Primary areas of emphasis for this position will be selected from some of the following projects based on the selected applicant's strengths, experience, and interests: monitor and photograph fossil sites to assess current condition; fossil excavations; organize, stabilize, and prepare fossil specimens; digitizing fossil collections and documentation; and assisting visiting researchers. Specialized projects may be available for those having self-sufficient experience in museum studies, fossil conservation, invertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, or related fields. Opportunities may also exist to apply the participant’s specialized skills to related projects that have potential to benefit the monument’s paleontology program.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables include the maintaining of field notes, digitized records, museum collection storage containers, fossil preparation, and/or development of educational materials and activities for STEM camps. Preparation of abstracts and presentations for professional meetings will be encouraged for participants planning to attend with the park’s involvement and permission.
QUALIFICATIONS
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
- Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
- Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the host site.
- The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and career objectives are in paleontology, geology, biology, museum sciences, and/or science communication, and should be comfortable and confident in speaking with the public. Applicants must have completed basic undergraduate courses toward a degree in geology, biology/ecology, or museum sciences, with an academic background emphasizing paleontology, have strong leadership and team building skills, and the ability to collaborate and interact with a variety of people. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate ambition to pursue paleontology as a career. The participant should be able to conduct projects well independently and lift at least 25 pounds and hike 1 mile in hot, desert environments. A handwriting sample may be requested.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Natural Environment: Dinosaur National Monument straddles northwest Colorado & northeast Utah. The area is high desert, 5000 feet in elevation, with summer high temperatures of 100F, lows of 50F, and 10% humidity.
Housing/service area is located in Jensen, Utah. The nearest city is Vernal, Utah which is 25 miles west of the park.
Physical Environment: Much of the position will be conducted in an office or field setting. Green River Resource Center office is located in an air-conditioned facility.
Some office areas are not air conditioned and may require going outside to complete projects or shaded areas for prolonged periods of time.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park provided housing is in a studio apartment, incl. all amenities (stove, utensils, pots, pans, fridge, bathroom with shower, etc., with shared washer and dryer facilities). Housing is in the Green River District (Jensen, Utah) so selected candidate will be in the community of permanent and seasonal staff. House is located 50 yards from office.
OUR COMMITMENT
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
- Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
- Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff
EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.
Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect, or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.
Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Scientists in Parks program will host the Paleontology Assistant at Dinosaur National Monument.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact Us!”
