POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4464
Position Title: Paleontology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Waco Mammoth National Monument, Waco, Texas
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/18/2026
End Date: 10/5/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.14 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 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: Columbian mammoth, fossil preparation, collaborative collections management, updating digital content, Pleistocene, Ice age
PURPOSE
This Paleontology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Collaborative Paleontological Natural Resource Management
This interdisciplinary project focuses on a partnership model of Paleontological Natural Resource Management with staff from NPS Natural and Cultural Resources, Mayborn Museum Complex staff, Baylor University Geosciences faculty and students, and City of Waco staff. These institutions are primary partners, and we partner to preserve and protect America’s only known nursery herd of Columbian mammoths while also providing public tours that walk above our active excavation.
Waco Mammoth National Monument is a unique site that has catalogued museum specimens preserved in-situ or in situation. The fossils of at least six mammoths are still in the ground and on display in the Dig Shelter. Another 16+ mammoths are stored in the Geosciences Collections at the Mayborn Museum Complex, many of which are still encased in field jackets. The participant will assist with Natural Resource Management through several tasks: active excavation projects to restore the excavation to its original footprint, help establish an inventory and monitoring plan for sites outside the Dig Shelter, clean and repair in situ specimens, excavating and rebuilding museum specimens, and help advance the research and understanding of central Texas during the late Pleistocene.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The selected Paleontological Assistant will assist with fossil preparation and resource management at a collaborative paleontological partnership site with Waco Mammoth National Monument, Baylor University, and the City of Waco. Projects on-site at Waco Mammoth NM will include helping NPS staff restore the excavation to the original footprint, reestablishing the excavation grid, helping to develop an inventory and monitoring plan for sites outside the Dig Shelter, and preparation and protection of exposed specimens. The participant will also help staff exhibit excavations on the research platform in the Dig Shelter. While working on paleontological field jackets from the 1980’s and 1990’s, the participant will also interact with visitors by providing background information on current research projects, explaining excavation and jacketing procedures, and answering additional visitor questions. The participant will also spend time working on projects in the collections at the Mayborn Museum Complex, one of the sites official partners. A recent donation has created a backlog of collection management tasks. During the period of database restructuring, projects will focus on fossil preparation, reboxing specimens, building supportive storage (archival cradles, cavity mounts, etc.), reorganization of cabinets, managing the database, and updating fossil preparation logs.
The participant will also have the opportunity to develop projects based on individual experience and interests. Previous projects have included unique research, creating new methods for in-situ fossil protection, developing digital projects that bring the resource to a wider audience, description of non-mammoth material, and developing workflows for cataloging the backlog collection.
DELIVERABLES
The main deliverable for this position will be preparation records for any fossil preparation projects worked on during the position. The participant will also track database updates in the site's spreadsheet, and any additional files will be submitted at the end of the position. This data will be used by NPS staff to update and maintain the NPS database once MCMS access is granted. Additional projects may create digital content that is uploaded to the park's website to strengthen paleontological interpretations. A final report will be required as part of the position.
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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should be and upper-level undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and career objectives are related to paleontology, geology, biology, or museum studies.
All fossil conservation and restoration techniques can be taught, but preferred qualifications include prior experience preparing fossil remains and a basic knowledge of skeletal anatomy, paleontology, geology, and biology. The participant should be able to work well independently under minimal supervision.
Candidates who are interviewed will be requested to provide transcripts and/or references before a selection is made. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Service Environment: Most duties will be performed in a 68-74 degree weather controlled Dig Shelter (weather-controlled excavation!) or museum collections at the Mayborn Museum Complex. field projects will be limited depending on weather, but outside climates can vary from 60 to 100+ degrees F. Most projects areas (excluding access to the excavation and outside field projects) are ADA accessible by a short, paved path or sidewalk. Reasonable accommodations/adjustments can be made to the job duty as needed.
Waco Mammoth National Monument is 4.93 acres surrounded by over 100 acres of protected City of Waco parkland, inside city limits near both the Bosque and Brazos rivers, Waco Regional Airport, and Lake Waco. Waco, Texas is a metropolitan area with a population of about 134,000 residents. The city has many amenities such as restaurants, supermarkets, and attractions all within a 5-mile radius of the park. Although Waco has public transit options, none of them stop at the Monument. A personal vehicle or bike is required.
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 NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area as there is no park housing. There are several options for short term leases of furnished rooms or entire units on Furnish Finder between $750 and $1000 per month. Baylor University students often have rooms or units available for sub-lease within the same price range. Park staff can help with questions about housing, but the participant will be responsible for securing 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 Waco Mammoth 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!”
