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Public Land Name:
BLM Royal Gorge Field Office

Position Title:
Paleontologist

Agency: BLM

Position Type: GeoCorps

Position ID Number:
2015416

Location:
Canon City, CO

Accepting Applications?

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
The participant will assist the Royal Gorge Field Office with management of paleontologic resources on public lands. These duties include conducting field inventory of paleontologic resources in the Garden Park Fossil Area and possibly other areas in the field office. The position also includes annual monitoring of existing paleontologically significant sites and monitoring along trails constructed in the Garden Park Fossil Area. The participant will also work with local volunteer groups to gather scientific information and create and/or improve interpretive and educational programs that support the BLM’s mandate to manage paleontological resources using scientific principles. Current projects include working with local schools to incorporate local geology and paleontology into the science curriculum and other projects that help to increase public awareness of the significance of local paleontologic and geologic resources with other age groups beyond the traditional classrooms. This interpretive work may involve updating existing websites. Additional duties include updating and field verification of the RGFO Paleontology Localities Database. Field work requires a working knowledge of GIS and GPS. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
Educational and interpretive program, Inventory and monitoring program reports, updates to the paleontology GIS database

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
Project oversight is provided by a BLM geologist with over 10 years experience managing the paleontology program in the Royal Gorge Field Office.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
BLM will provide any training needed to support the position including advancement in GIS and GPS skills and adequate background of the management of fossil resources on public lands.

Leadership Development:

Presenting Project Results:

Physical/Natural Environment:
The Royal Gorge Field Office area encompasses the eastern half of Colorado. The geology of the field office area ranges from the oil and gas producing formations of the high plains to hydrothermal gold deposits of Leadville. The terrain changes with the geology from flat grasslands to the steep, uneven terrain of the high mountains, but rolling hills with uneven terrain are dominant. Summer temperatures in Colorado can be very hot at lower elevations but conditions can change in an instant due to afternoon thunderstorms.

Work Environment:
The participant will work out of the Royal Gorge Field Office located in Canon City Colorado. The position will include approximately 80% computer and 20% field work and will require working with 2 BLM geologists but work would largely be done independently. Field work will require hiking up and down hills on uneven terrain in hot weather (up to 100°F). Canon City is a town of 15,000 people. Amenities include 2 grocery stores, a hospital, and several other businesses including hardware stores, bookstores, and several restaurants. The larger cities of Pueblo and Colorado Springs are each approximately 35 miles away and offer expanded amenities including a regional and an international airport.

Qualifications:
Applicant must be working toward at least a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and have had course work in Paleontology and GIS and preferably some field experience in paleontology. The participant should be able to work well independently. The participant must have excellent computer skills. Participant will be working with ArcGIS to create maps in ArcGIS and will use a GPS to navigate and record locations is required for this position. The paleontology database is also in a GIS format. Participant must have a valid drivers license and must pass a government security screening prior to starting the position.

Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
summer paleo position

Position Dates:
June 2 -- August 29; Start/End dates flexible

Position Duration: 12 weeks

Hourly Wage: $3,000

Housing Details:
The participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing and will be given a housing allowance of $2,000 to cover the 12-week position, in addition to the $2,750 stipend. Housing in the area is relatively inexpensive. A personal vehicle will be required as there is no public transportation available in Canon City and there is limited housing within walking distance of the office. Please go to the www.canoncitydailyrecord to see local housing opportunities. Field office personnel will assist in finding housing.

If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact GSA's GeoCorps managers.  If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please direct them to the contact(s) listed in the project description. Remember, application materials can only be submitted online. The project contact(s) will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full program details at the GeoCorps homepage.

PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Melissa Smeins
Geologist
3028 East Main Street
Canon City, CO 81212
 (719) 269-8523
 msmeins@blm.gov
Website

SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Stephanie Carter
Geologist
3028 East Main Street
Canon city, CO 81212
 (719) 269-8551
 sscarter@blm.gov
Website