POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4420
Position Title: Paleontology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/3/2026
End Date: 7/26/2026
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: Paleontology, Geology, Conservation, Survey, Fossil
PURPOSE
This Paleontology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Despite the prominence of fossils to the park’s purpose and heritage, funding and staffing resources have not always been sufficient to fully develop this facet of the park’s natural resource program. Recognizing this need, leadership in the Paleontology Program of the National Park Service Geologic Resources Division contracted a paleontologist to conduct field surveillance and draft a Paleontological Resource Inventory report for the park in 2025. While the draft is currently being prepared for the peer-review process and is not yet available (as of late December 2025), other recent inventory reports in a comparable format describing Colorado National Monument and Cuyahoga Valley National Park are available (Shaffer et al. 2024A, B). In essence, this inventory report will serve as the basis for the subsequent projects that a Scientists in Parks (SIP participant) participant would pursue for his or her project. Between the 2025 Inventory report and the follow-up projects performed by the participant, the park will then have a firm grasp of its paleontological resources in terms of known deposits and initial steps toward devising conservation plans and an effective monitoring strategy for fossils and their substrates.
Shaffer, A. B., J. S. Tweet, and V. L. Santucci. 2024A. Colorado National Monument: Paleontological resource inventory (public version). Science Report NPS/SR—2024/116. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2303613
Shaffer, A. B. , V. L. Santucci , J. S. Tweet , and J. M. Hodnett . 2024B. Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Paleontological resource inventory (public version). Science Report NPS/SR—2024/210. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/23064...
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The selected applicant will help improve park knowledge, management, and interpretation of its paleontological resources. A paleontological resource inventory report was prepared for Scotts Bluff National Monument in 2025. This report is a comprehensive description of the site’s geological formations; representative fossil taxa; paleontological research, interpretation, and management efforts; fossils accessioned into the park’s museum collection; and future recommendations. The selected applicant will build on this inventory and its recommendations, including field studies, resource management, and interpretation. Although the inventory is comprehensive in its coverage of paleontological resources, the time available for the primary author to conduct field surveillance in preparation of the manuscript was limited. After reviewing the inventory report, the participant will develop and implement a field survey strategy and methodology to collect comprehensive data describing fossil sites and their strata, including attributes such as geology, stratigraphy, spatial extent, fossil taxa, likely deposition zones for eroding fossils, potential or active threats, and ability to access from trails and roads. If time allows, the participant could also pursue one or more of these endeavors: (1) draft interpretive materials for park staff use; (2) prepare information to be subsequently incorporated into a cyclic monitoring plan, developed by Natural Resources staff in coordination with Law Enforcement rangers, to prioritize sites for attention based on fossil abundance and their vulnerability to poaching or weathering; (3) assist a seasonal paleo-tech with parallel efforts at AGFO focusing on the primary fossil quarries [Fossil Hills, Daemonelix, Stenomylus]; (4) visit repositories elsewhere in the region storing park-collected fossils. These tasks and objectives will proceed with the assistance and advisement of NPS paleontologists and may be modified or reprioritized as circumstances require.
DELIVERABLES
The highest priority would be for the participant to complete a report addressing the elements described in the Position Description and Position Impact sections based on the 2025 SCBL Inventory report. If this report is completed prior to the conclusion of the 12-week term, then the participant may serve on one or more of the other four potential secondary duties if time allows.
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
An ideal candidate would have already completed a four-year undergraduate degree or higher in Paleontology or Geological Science with course-experience in Paleontology; they will have completed a Field School program that educates participants on operations and logistics in the field. Preferred candidates would be working on attaining a Paleontology / Geology degree or possess a completed degree in a related field.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
A portion of the service opportunity would include field projects and the candidate should be capable of tolerating summer weather, climbing moderate slopes and hiking through a rolling prairie landscape, and working independently. Note that summer conditions in the Nebraska panhandle can be hot, dry, and / or windy with potential afternoon thunderstorms. Rattlesnakes may be encountered in the field and the participant would be provided with snake gaiters to wear for lower leg protection if desired. For the office-based component, the participant would be provided a computer workstation. Scotts Bluff NM (SCBL) is situated adjacent to Scottsbluff / Gering, a moderately sized community with full services available. AGFO is in a relatively remote location, but highway / road access between parks is easy and they are in good condition. SCBL and its associated towns occur in the North Platte River Valley at ~ 3900 feet elevation at the river and ~ 4700 feet toward the crest of Scotts Bluff itself. The Scotts Bluff landform is rolling to level on top with extremely steep slopes descending to variably rolling prairie beyond. The park encompasses 3003 acres and has trail and road access to the top of the bluff. Other notable landscape features include a Badlands area between the bluff and the river, South Bluff with no road / trail access, and a network of ephemeral washes throughout the park.
Note on vehicle availability: The participant would need to have a personal vehicle to use for supplies, groceries, and personal business. A fleet vehicle would be available for business-related trips from AGFO to SCBL (if the participant chooses to live in one of the visitor residences).
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
While this project will primarily focus on Scotts Bluff National Monument (SCBL) resources, park housing is available at Agate Fossil Beds NM (AGFO; also managed by the same Administrative Unit) and is located about 50 miles north of Scottsbluff / Gering over low-traffic rural highways. Visitor housing (3) has multiple bedrooms with a common use kitchen and living area, so various park staff or contractors may lodge in a given house. Restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores are primarily located in the Scottsbluff area; AGFO is situated within ranching country with no services in the immediate area.
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 Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Scotts Bluff 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!”
