POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4471
Position Title: Collections 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: 11/02/2026
End Date: 01/25/2027
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: $ 1,956.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 675.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
- 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, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: museum collections, fossils, Mesozoic, data management, paleontology
PURPOSE
This Collections Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The project will allow for one 12-week SIP to be hired to collaborate with the DINO paleontologist & museum curator to secure & improve availability of material in collections. Data on these specimens will be made available for research, education, & public outreach, including 2D digitized images & 3D models. Fossil preparation and rehousing will aid in collections physical spaces issues and availability to specimens.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP selected candidate will be conducting rehousing of fossil collections, fossil preparation, and loading digitally documented specimens into various digital databases. Existing 3D data will also be curated by this selected candidate. The goal in creating digital archives of these collections is to preserve the integrity of the specimens and provide alternative availability to collections.
The SIP selected candidate will be collaborating mostly in a museum collections setting. Opportunities may also exist to apply the participant’s specialized skills to related projects that have potential to benefit the monument’s paleontology and museum programs. The position will contribute toward the conservation, management, research, and interpretation of the fossil resources. DINOs museum collections to be utilized by this project also represent the primary (fundamental) resources highlighted in the Monument’s original enabling legislation of 1915 & 2015 Foundation Document.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables include the following:
- complete digital databases of specifically pre-documented specimens;
- completed fossil preparation projects;
- rehousing of holotype and figured paleontological specimens.
A degree of independence and latitude is allowed in the development of this plan, based on selected candidate past educational experiences.
Preparation of abstracts and presentations for professional annual 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 or museum studies. Applicants must have completed basic undergraduate courses toward a degree in geology, earth sciences, biology, or museum studies, with an emphasis in vertebrate paleontology, or with an academic background emphasizing museum studies. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate ambition to pursue paleontology or museum studies as a career. The participant should be able to complete projects well independently or on a team and be able to safely complete projects in a museum and office setting.
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 subzero cold winter months, with an average temperature fluctuating between 12.7°F and 31.1°F between December and January historically. Housing area is located in Jensen, Utah.
The nearest city is Vernal, Utah which is 25 miles west of the park, and is where the museum collections and primary activity area are located. This city hosts the nearest grocery and retail stores, banks, library, and other amenities.
Physical project environment: Much of the project will be conducted in the museum collections (located in Vernal, Utah), although some projects may take place in an office, or the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Green River Resource Center, the Quarry Exhibit Hall & the museum collections (located in Vernal, Utah) are usually weather controlled. Prolonged periods of sitting may be required. Handling of delicate museum specimens will regularly occur. A government issued vehicle will be provided for comminuting between the park and the museum collections.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park provided housing is in a furnished apartment, incl. all amenities (stove, utensils, pots, pans, frig, washer and dryer, bathroom with shower, etc.). Accommodations are in the housing area of the Green River District (Jensen, Utah) so selected candidate will be in the community of permanent and seasonal staff. Apartment is located 50 yards from office.
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.
OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation 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!”
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 the host site throughout the 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, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.
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 (5) 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 Collections 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!”
