Fossil Excavation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Located within Jefferson County Parks and Open Space (JCPOS), Dinosaur Ridge is one of the most iconic paleontology sites on Earth. This globally renowned site has been ranked by paleontologists as the #1 dinosaur tracksite in the nation, and one of the most important in the world for its historic background. Dinosaur Ridge typically draws about 200,000-250,000 annual visitors to view approximately 300 dinosaur tracks, as well as other trace fossils and scientifically important dinosaur bones. Dinosaur Ridge was also the site of the world’s first Stegosaurus bone fossil excavation and was designated part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark (a subunit of the National Park Service) in 1973. Friends of Dinosaur Ridge (FODR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989 with the missions of preserving the fossils on Dinosaur Ridge and educating the public about those fossils and the natural history of the area. Our work also includes preserving and educating about the fossil sites at Triceratops Trail in nearby Golden, Colorado.

In the role of Manager of Camps and Collections at Dinosaur Ridge, you will be primarily responsible for overseeing and managing FODR’s state-certified collections repository and exhibit collections, including the acquisition, documentation, housing, use, preservation, tracking, disposition, and maintenance of specimens. This role also serves the organization’s co-leader for planning, implementing, and growing paleontology-related camp experiences, primarily for youth but also occasionally for other age groups. This role requires a passion for paleontology, science communication, a background in paleontological work and education, strong leadership skills, and the ability to engage with both internal staff and external stakeholders in a professional manner.

This position reports to the Director of Paleontology with respect to Collections work, and the Director of Education Programs with respect to Camps work, and works collaboratively with all other Director-level staff, for which several specific relationships are outlined in greater detail below. This position also requires occasional direct supervision of volunteers, for which this position will have the authority to direct volunteers’ efforts, including establishing training requirements for volunteers related to Collections- and Camp-related projects. Major decisions regarding volunteers must be decided and implemented in collaboration with the Director of Volunteers.

We anticipate this full-time position will generally work M-F and will allocate their time approximately:

• Camp Planning, Administration, Staffing, Training, and Implementation – 55%
• Collections Management, Compliance, Protocol/Practice Development - 20%
• Education Department Co-Leadership - 15%
• Meetings, Conferences, and Other Duties As Assigned - 10%

• Working under the advisement of the Director of Paleontology, leads the day-to-day management of all aspects of Collections care, following and implementing accepted museum professional standards and practices. Directly manages specimen acquisition, accessioning, deaccessioning, documentation, care, maintenance and handling, use and access, copyright, security, environmental monitoring of objects and facilities, and object-based database development, paper files, and archives.
• Oversees and carries out Collections care and maintenance in storage spaces and exhibit spaces including routine Collection dusting, movement, rehousing, and storage space planning.
• Maintains State of Colorado specimens within policies and procedures established by the Colorado State Historical Preservation Office and other State agencies in accordance with FODR State Repository status.
• Updates and maintains policies and procedures regarding Collection management as per current laws, regulations, ethical standards, and best practices.
• Works with and under the supervision of the Director of Paleontology on resource preservation issues and project implementation.
• Sets and updates standard operating procedures (SOPs) for specimens to be used in exhibits, and collaborates on exhibition planning with the Exhibit Halls Working Group and the Director of Education Programs.
• Acts as lead liaison for all potential loans, donations, and acquisitions of fossils, minerals, and archival materials. Administers loan agreements and ensures adherence to established policies.
• Under the supervision of the Director of Paleontology, collaborates with state and local government (SHPO, JCOS, City of Golden) on Collections related issues.
• Under the supervision of the Director of Paleontology, manage paleontology and field work permits need for FODR and required by JCPOS or the State of Colorado.
• May train and supervise staff and student employees, interns, and/or volunteers performing related work; may participate in the recruitment of volunteers and interns, as appropriate to the area of operation.

• Co-leads the organization’s planning, growth, and implementation of paleontology-related camp experiences, primarily for youth but also occasionally for other age groups.
• With Director of Education Programs, ensures camp-related content is consistent with mission, engaging, scientifically accurate, and age-appropriate.
• With Director of Education Programs, ensures compliance with all State and local government requirements, including permitting related to Child Care licensing and associated laws and regulations.
• With Director of Education Programs, co-oversees all other aspects of camp planning and implementation, including logistical planning and adaptations, staffing, adequate and necessary volunteer and staff training, budgeting and financial reporting, marketing, registration processes and troubleshooting, and parent/stakeholder communications.
• Recommends ideas for qualitative and quantitative camp growth to the Director of Education Programs, Executive Director, and other key stakeholders.

• Assists the Director of Education Programs to oversee all aspects of work of the Education Department, including priority-setting, intra-department communications and meetings, review of department priorities, scheduling of education programs, and program content development and revision.
• Assists the Director of Education Programs to review and provide feedback and/or make recommendations regarding:
• Content of education program talking points and associated resources;
• Content and graphics on new and revised interpretive signage;
• Content in exhibit hall/gallery presentations;
• Content in other education program offerings.

• Represent Dinosaur Ridge at professional conferences and events, with the express prior written consent of the Executive Director.
• Cultivate relationships with partners and stakeholders within the broader paleontological community for the furtherance of the organization’s mission.
• Regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings with Director of Education Programs and the Director of Paleontology to track progress, discuss priorities, and address needs, ideas, and concerns.
• Bimonthly Preservation and Protection Committee meetings to track progress, discuss priorities, and address needs, ideas, and concerns related to Dinosaur Ridge preservation-related issues.
• Regularly attend required all-staff trainings or complete the makeup assignments within the set deadline period.
• Monthly attendance, when convenient, at “Expanded” Director-level meetings.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off

• Bachelors’ Degree in science, collections management, and/or science education
• Able to pass a criminal background check and necessary background checks needed to comply with State Office of Childcare Licensing
• Able to work and walk around outside in a variety of weather conditions, on uneven surfaces, and on inclines and stairs
• Available to work typically 5 days per week, including occasional availability on weekends
• Highly organized, analytical, systematic, deadline-driven, and attentive to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong computer and technical skills; experience and/or aptitude working with technical applications, including typical spreadsheet, database, and word processing software
• Team-oriented and consistently demonstrates positive values in work habits
• Experience with communicating science to all audience levels
• One or more years of collections management, museum curation, fossil preparation, specimen handling and/or similar experience
• One or more years of experience in science education
• Six months or more of experience staffing day camps or an equivalent intensive experiences with science themes
• Passion for the mission of Dinosaur Ridge

• Masters’ Degree in science, collections management, and/or science education
• Two or more years of collections management, museum curation, fossil preparation, specimen handling and/or similar experience
• Two or more years of experience in science education
• One year or more of experience staffing day camps with science themes

Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, volunteers, and guests. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on job requirements, individual performance, and business needs.