Paleontology Technician (Entry-Level, As-Needed)
The Paleontology Technician role at Confidential Client offers an entry-level, as-needed opportunity to gain hands-on field and laboratory experience in paleontological resource management across Southern California. Responsibilities include construction monitoring, fossil salvage, field surveys, documentation, and supporting technical reporting, providing valuable exposure to California geology and environmental consulting projects. This position is ideal for recent graduates and early-career professionals seeking to build practical skills in a dynamic, outdoor work environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You'll Do
- Conduct paleontological construction monitoring under the direction of project leadership.
- Assist with paleontological surveys and fossil salvage efforts on active project sites.
- Support laboratory activities including fossil processing, preparation, and cataloging.
- Maintain accurate field notes, locality records, maps, and other project documentation.
- Assist with preparation of technical report sections and project deliverables.
- Participate in worker environmental awareness and safety trainings.
- Deliver high-quality work products on schedule and in accordance with project requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Paleontology, Geology, or a closely related field.
- Experience documenting stratigraphy through coursework, field studies, research, or professional experience.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including high heat.
- Valid California Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
- Willingness to travel and stay overnight as project needs require.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1+ years of experience with construction monitoring.
- Familiarity with paleontological mitigation practices and regulatory requirements.
- Qualifications/experience to perform supervised fieldwork on BLM lands in CA and other western states under a Principal Investigator or Field Agent.
Compensation & Schedule
- Pay: $25 - $35 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
- This is an as-needed, project-based role. Assignments depend on current project demand and may vary in duration.
- Field schedule may include long hours, variable start times, and overnight travel depending on project logistics.
- Employment classification and benefits will be determined by our client.
What You’ll Gain
- Hands-on field and laboratory experience in California geology and paleontology.
- Mentorship from experienced paleontologists and exposure to environmental consulting workflows.
- Opportunities to build technical skills in monitoring, fossil salvage, processing, and reporting.
Physical & Safety Notes
- Must be able to perform physically active fieldwork (walking over uneven terrain, carrying equipment).
- Comfortable working outdoors in heat and other weather conditions.
- Compliance with site safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements is mandatory.
Location
- Position based in San Diego, CA. Travel throughout Southern California and occasional overnight travel required.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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