POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4423, 4424
Position Title: Paleontology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 9/28/2026
End Date: 3/29/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 3,697.50 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: caves, caving, fossils, resource management,
PURPOSE
This Paleontology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This project addresses instructions and mandates the 2009 Paleontological Resource Preservation Act concerning the stewardship of paleontological resources through inventorying, monitoring, management, protection, research, education, and outreach. Fossils are irreplaceable and non-renewable resources; there are a finite number of fossil specimens for any given extinct species, and that number is always decreasing as specimens are destroyed by erosion or illegally collected. The ability of CAVE Natural Resource personnel to manage its vertebrate paleontological resources is limited by incomplete data regarding the presence, distribution, condition, and significance of those resources; these gaps in information also lead to an incomplete understanding of threats to those resources. Completion of this project will provide the framework for a program to identify and protect rare paleontological resources, and to make them available for public interpretation and scientific study. This project will also address a significance statement included in CAVE’s 2017 Foundation Document concerning the use of fossil resources to understand past environments and climates at CAVE.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The proposed position is part of a larger project to document paleontological sites in caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (CAVE). Of the 55 recorded cave paleo sites at the park, 49 have not been inventoried. The participant will have a variety of duties, responsibilities, and tasks pertaining to this inventory project. Planned components of this project include: documenting, mapping, photographing, and identifying paleontological resources in caves; conducting fossil condition assessments of cave sites; creation of a geodatabase of cave fossil sites; creation of a digital fossil archive; curating and identifying collected specimens; and making fossils resources for public interpretation and scientific study through displays, photogrammetry, and interpretive programs. Two participants are being recruited for this position, and duties and responsibilities will be divided as best suits the participants’ skills.
DELIVERABLES
The primary deliverables will be an inventory report and paleontological resource condition assessment report. The participant will also participate in the creation of: an integrated GIS geodatabase; an integrated photographic database; and 3D images of significant fossils.
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 26 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. Applicants must have completed basic undergraduate coursework toward a degree in geology or biology, ideally with emphasis in paleontology. The applicant must have experience in both horizontal caving and vertical caving techniques (SRT), and be able to safely and confidently utilize those skills in the field. The applicant must have experience surveying caves, reading and using cave maps, and should be comfortable hiking cross-country in a rugged mountain environment and traversing cave environments. The applicant should be able to work well independently and as a team, both in the office and in the field with little supervision. The applicant should have interest and knowledge of cave mapping skills and knowledge of software used to create digital maps. Applicant should have a demonstrated interest in cave conservation and the leave-no-trace policy. Knowledge and experience in paleontology / geology field methods, geologic mapping, and geospatial data acquisition are important aspects of this position. The participant should possess good writing and computer skills. The selected applicant should be able to work well independently in field and office settings, but be flexible enough to work well as part of a team. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (CAVE) is located in the Guadalupe Mountains, SE NM. Limestone and accompanying dolomites and siltstones from a Permian reef comprise the strata in which 120+ caves are formed. The park’s caves contain a huge abundance and wide variety of speleothems including many rare and unique formations. Genesis by sulfuric acid dissolution differentiates the caves of CAVE from most of the other caves in the world. On the surface CAVE is incised with deep rugged canyons with dramatic karst spires and cliffs. The park's desert landscape is dominated by sparse shrubs, grass, and cacti providing a home to variety wildlife. Summers in the park are hot and dry. There is frequent rain in the early fall, with occasional snow and ice in the winter. From CAVE it is a 35-minute drive to Carlsbad, NM, the nearest town with groceries and other goods and services. Carlsbad has a permanent population of 32,000 and is the base for two National Parks, a National Forest, two State Parks, and over 3 million acres of BLM land, all offering a variety of outdoor related activity opportunities. projects will primarily be in the field with some office projects. A desk and computer will be provided for office projects. Field sites will be accessed by vehicle, with extensive hiking required for some sites. Field projects will involve both strenuous horizontal caving and the use of vertical caving techniques (SRT). Underground conditions vary with temperatures up to 68F with high humidity. Potential job-site hazards include weather, rattlesnakes, entry into caves, and riding ATVs and UTVs. Participant may be required to wear a respirator (training and fit-test will be provided). projects schedule will be flexible to accommodate long days of fieldwork, with a maximum of 40 hours per week.
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.
Government housing will be provided at Carlsbad Caverns National Park at no cost to the participant. Housing will be in a historic multi-occupancy house. Housing includes a kitchen equipped with appliances (refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, microwave), and a bathroom with shower. Minimal cookware is provided. Participants will need to bring their own bedding and towels. There are on-site laundry facilities. TV and internet access are not provided. No guests and no pets are allowed in this housing. Groceries and other goods and services are located in Carlsbad NM, a 35 minute drive from housing.
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 Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
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!”
