SWCA Environmental Consultants · 15 hours ago
Project Level Paleontologist
Las Vegas, NV
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$26.52/hr - $42.08/hr
3+ years expSWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Level Paleontologist - Field Director to support their West Region’s paleontological resources program. The role involves managing fieldwork, supervising crews, and ensuring quality data collection for various projects in the environmental sector.
Environmental ConsultingNatural Resources
Responsibilities
Supervise and conduct fieldwork, including paleontological construction monitoring and survey and ensure quality and completeness of data collected. Coordinates with resource monitors and subcontractors, as appropriate
Serve as a permitted Field Agent, working under the direction of other Principal Investigators, Project Managers, Environmental Planners, and/or the Paleontology Team Lead
Manage quality and completeness of data collection, analysis, and report completion from start to finish. Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets and Geodes
Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff
Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork
Field Directors may also assist with office-based tasks, including performing literature reviews, background research, record searches, and technical report preparation. This work may be done remotely
Comply with SWCA and client safety programs, and assist in the development of such programs
Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards
Build collaborative relationships across offices/geographies to share resources and expertise
Qualification
Required
Must meet the criteria to be approved as a 'Field Agent' on the Nevada BLM Paleontological Resource Use permits
Three (3) years of professional consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and agencies, with increasing levels of responsibility required
Lives in the southern Nevada/Las Vegas region; or willing to travel to the region from their home and stay in hotel lodging for extended periods; or willing to relocate to southern Nevada
Knowledge of local geology and paleontology with paleontological field and reporting experience in Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and/or Washington
Laboratory techniques, including fossil identification, matrix screening, and fossil preparation, and museum curation experience
Field skills, including ability to locate, document, excavate, and identify fossils while documenting their geographic, taphonomic, and stratigraphic context
Ability to adapt quickly to changes in project needs, agency requests, and more
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a variety of colleagues, clients, subcontractors, and agency representatives
Extremely organized and meticulous with ensuring survey, documentation, and paperwork are complete
Excellent leadership and supervision abilities, including problem-solving, constructive conflict resolution, and decision making
Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing
Ability to travel, including long drives and flights, and conduct fieldwork for long hours (sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and at high altitudes), plus additional hours organizing paperwork/emails daily
Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
Ability to provide guidance and feedback on crew performance as per company guidelines
Has enough experience to be able to easily deal with the unexpected (changes in weather, changes in client demands, changes in crew makeup or size, etc.)
Preferred
M.S. in paleontology, geology (with an emphasis on paleontology), biology (with an emphasis on paleontology and experience with geology), or a closely related field is preferred
Prior experience with paleontological mitigation projects including construction monitoring is highly desirable
Experience working on large-scale energy and transmission construction projects is preferred
Active 40-hour HAZWOPER certification preferred
CPR and First Aid certified preferred
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans
SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust
Technology (i.e., cell phone) allowance
Performance bonuses
Competitive benefits package
Forward-thinking workplace flexibility
Outstanding corporate culture
Award-winning career development
Company
SWCA Environmental Consultants
SWCA is an environmental consulting firm.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SWCA Environmental Consultants has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2022 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Joseph Fluder
CEO | President | Director
Jon Kehmeier
Vice President Scientific and Technical Services
Recent News
2025-09-25
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