| Public Land Name: | Bryce Canyon National Park | | Position Title: | Field Paleontologist | | Position ID Number: | 24 | | Location: | Bryce, UT | | Position Description: | The primary duties of the GeoCorps participant will be to assist in the fourth and final year of a paleontological inventory project initiated in Bryce Canyon National Park in 2006 because of the discovery of numerous significant Cretaceous vertebrate localities. The participant will work directly with Dr. Jeffrey Eaton (Weber State University, Ogden, Utah) for a 5-week field season. Most of this work will be in the field and require camping, strenuous hiking across uneven terrain with a heavy pack (40-50 pounds). The participant will also assist with preparing for the field season and working with Dr. Eaton to summarize the data that has already been collected and catalogue and curate specimens.
Two localities in particular are of significant research interest. One locality in the Wahweap Formation has produced one of the best collections of vertebrate material known from the Wahweap including mammals, lizards, amphibians, fish, crocodilians and turtles. Another locality in the John Henry Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation has produced what is probably the best and most diverse collection of microvertebrates from the Santonian stage (a subdivision of the Cretaceous) known anywhere in the world.
In 2006-2008, six weeks were spent each field season with a crew of five to seven students under the supervision of Dr. Eaton. During these three field seasons 74 new vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant localities were found within Bryce Canyon National Park and an additional 42 localities on USDA Forest Service lands adjacent to the park boundary. The team also continued to collect and process rock from previously known important microvertebrate localities in the park. The collections are being studied by workers all over the world.
In 2009 Dr. Eaton, the GeoCorps participant, and two students from Weber State University will undertake the following: 1. Complete prospecting for new localities in the park, beginning north of Bryce Canyon to the northern margin of the park. 2. Continue to develop some of the most important and accessible localities found in previous years of the study. 3. Curate and catalogue specimens in the UMNH collections and collect and maintain GIS data for the localities. If time allows the participant will assist the park with conducting condition assessments for 12 previously known paleontological localities in the park that lack assessments.
Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the National Park Service’s Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program.
| | Qualifications: | A graduate degree in paleontology is preferred, but not required. The applicant should have strong knowledge, coursework and/or field experience in paleontology, with preference given to knowledge of the geology and paleontologic resources of the Colorado Plateau. The competitive applicant will have experience with collecting and preparing specimens for curation; experience using Microsoft Access and database development; working knowledge of GPS and GIS, or a desire to quickly acquire such knowledge. The applicant should be able to work outdoors in steep, rocky terrain, in harsh weather, especially hot, dry, and windy conditions to hike over rough terrain of trail for long distances carrying loads up to 50 pounds, and should be willing to develop education materials for public outreach. The applicant must be able to work in an office setting using computers, and be familiar with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). The applicant must have a valid driver's licence. | | Position Dates: | May - Sept; 12 weeks; start/end dates flexible | | Payment: | $2750; housing provided | | Housing Available: | The park will provide housing at no cost to the participant. Housing will be in a shared apartment or house with up to 2 roommates. There may be a single efficiency available. The participant will have their own room but will share a bathroom, kitchen, and living space. Participant will need to bring their own bedding, towels, kitchen pots/pans/cooking utensils, plates, and eating utensils. Laundry facility is on site. Housing is within one mile to work so there is the possibility to walk or ride a bike. Participant would benefit from having a personal car, although this is not necessary. During the field work portion of the project, camping will be required. Backpack camping gear (backpack, tent, sleeping bag, stove, cooking pots, etc.) can be supplied by the park, or personal gear can be used at participant’s option. Most people like to have their own sleeping bag. Sturdy footwear is required. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | This project will focus on the paleontology of Bryce Canyon National Park. The park is located in the Colorado Plateau region of the United States at the top of the Grand Staircase. Bryce Canyon is located on the Paunsaugunt Plateau and forms multiple amphitheaters with oddly shaped pinnacles protruding from within the amphitheaters. Erosion shaped the area, leaving a fascinating landscape. Bryce Canyon ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation. The vegetation ranges from pinyon/juniper in the low elevations through ponderosa pine forest up to spruce/fir forests at the highest elevations. The breaks offer a unique habitat to rare endemic plants. The paleontological resources are predominantly microfossils although dinosaur fossils have been found. For more information, visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/brca. | | Work Environment: | The participant will work out of the Bryce Canyon visitor center/headquarters with the resource and interpretive divisions of the park during development of projects. There will be the opportunity to work with visiting researchers as well as geologists that specialize in the geology of the area. There will be other individuals on staff that specialize in geology. Area amenities include local hotels and restaurants. Small grocery stores are located 10-30 miles from the park. The town of Panguitch (30 miles) offers a small grocery store and fast food restaurants. Large shopping centers (Wal-Mart, movie theaters, and large grocery stores) are located 80 miles from the park in Cedar City, UT. The park is an isolated area in which the communities are small. Television reception is by satellite only. There are abundant outdoor recreational opportunities within a few hours drive of the park - hiking, fishing, camping, backpacking, and more. There is a regional airport in Cedar City although many staff fly in and out of Las Vegas or Salt Lake City (both 4.5 hours away). Weather can be cool (below freezing at night) with highs reaching into the low 90s. Mail can be received in the park or at nearby Ruby's Inn (2 miles). Many residents sign up for NetFlix or a similar movie mailing company. There is a visitor shuttle that runs Memorial through Labor Day (hours are usually morning through early evening) throughout the north end of the park and to Ruby's Inn. | | # of current Applicants: | 10 |
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact Anny Jones. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please contact the primary or secondary contact below:
| | PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Laura Schrage | | Title: | Natural Resource Specialist | | Street Address: | Bryce Canyon NP
PO Box 640201 | | City/State/Zip: | Bryce, UT 84764 | | Phone: | 435-834-4901 | | Email: | laura_schrage@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/brca |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Kelly Fuhrmann | | Title: | Chief of Resource Management and Research | | Street Address: | Bryce Canyon NP
PO Box 640201 | | City/State/Zip: | Bryce, UT 84764 | | Phone: | 435-834-4900 | | Email: | kelly_fuhrmann@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/brca |
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