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| Public Land Name: | Badlands National Park | | Position Title: | Field Paleontologist | | Agency: | NPS | | Position ID Number: | 2012009 | | 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.
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.
| | Materials to be produced by participant: | The GeoCorps participant will document at least 10 new localities and produce at least 10 new locality reports. All new information will be added to the park locality database. | | Qualifications: | The applicant must have completed at least three years toward a degree 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 and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. | | Position Dates: | May-September, with flexible start/end dates. | | Position Duration: | 12 weeks | | Stipend: | $2,750 | Travel Allowance:
(For non-local candidates) | $250 | | Housing Allowance: | $0 | | Housing Details: | The park will provide housing at no cost to the participant. The housing is apartment style. Kitchen, bath, dining, living room and bedroom, are shared with one other person. 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 field-based. The participant will need to bring 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, field pack and water bottles etc.). Field work will be on rugged terrain, harsh vegetation and 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 (United, Delta and American). A personal vehicle is required to access the nearby towns for groceries, etc. | | # of current Applicants: | 26 |
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact Matthew Dawson. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please contact the primary or secondary contact below. The Primary and Secondary Contacts will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full Mosaic program details at the Mosaics in Science home-page. | | PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Rachel Benton | | Title: | Park Paleontologist | | Street Address: | Badlands National ParkP.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 ParkP.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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