| Public Land Name: | Badlands National Park | | Position Title: | Field Paleontologist | | Position ID Number: | 69 | | Location: | Interior, SD | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will assist the park paleontologist with an ongoing paleontological site inventory program; conduct research in park museum collections, libraries and archives to retrieve data on significant paleontological sites; re-locate significant paleontological sites and record location and conditions; document sites through photography and on-site data collection; enter information into computerized databases; and utilize ArcGIS to develop maps of site locations.
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: | The applicant must have completed at least one year of upper-level undergraduate coursework in the geosciences. A graduate degree 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 White River Badlands. The ability to use GPS equipment with knowledge of geographic software applications (ArcGIS) is a plus. The applicant should be prepared to work outdoors in harsh weather, especially hot, dry, and windy conditions, and to hike over rough terrain, carrying loads up to 30 pounds. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license. | | 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. The housing is apartment style. Kitchen, bath, dining and living room are shared with one other person (all unisex). Apartments are located in the park. The participant should bring their own bed linens and kitchen supplies. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | The dominant geologic feature in the park is the Brule Formation of the White River Group, a colorful sequence of rocks that form the Badlands Wall. Deposited within the Brule formation are fossilized remains of an ancient ecosystem that flourished around 30 million years ago. During the Oligocene Epoch, many forms of mammals became abundant and diverse. Researchers, through studies of fossils from the park, are constantly adding to the knowledge of the evolution of life on earth. | | Work Environment: | This position is heavily field-based and therefore the participant will need to bring items such as hiking boots and clothing appropriate for fieldwork in a hot, dry climate (broad brimmed field hat, long sleeve light colored shirts, breathable lightweight field pants, etc.). Field work will be on rugged terrain and harsh vegetation. Participant should also bring a field pack and water bottles. The field conditions in which the work will be completed consist of rugged badlands terrain, with no shade. Temperatures in Western South Dakota in the summer can top 100 degrees. Afternoon thunderstorms with heavy rains, possible hail, and lightning are common in late July and early August. Participant will work out of the Badlands National Park Resource Management Office just behind the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. The visitor center is located 9 miles south of Interstate 90, at Exit 131. The Cedar Pass Lodge which includes a restaurant and gift shop is located just west of the Visitor Center. The closest city, Wall (pop. 800), has a grocery store, hardware store, clinic, restaurants, and several gas stations. Expanded amenities are in Rapid City (75 miles). There is a regional airport in Rapid City (Northwest, United and Frontier Airlines). A personal vehicle is required to access the nearby towns for groceries etc. | | # of current Applicants: | 13 |
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: | Rachel Benton | | Title: | Park Paleontologist | | Street Address: | Badlands National Park
P.O. Box 6 | | City/State/Zip: | Interior, SD 57750 | | Phone: | (605) 433-5261 | | Email: | rachel_benton@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/badl |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Brian Kenner | | Title: | Chief of Resource Management | | Street Address: | Badlands National Park
P.O. Box 6 | | City/State/Zip: | Interior, SD 57750 | | Phone: | (605) 433-5260 | | Email: | brian_kenner@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/badl |
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