Senior Paleontologist

San Diego, CA

Full Time

Cultural Resources

Experienced

Rincon Consultants is seeking a senior paleontologist to join our team. Rincon’s paleontology team performs evaluation-phase (e.g., paleontological inventories, paleontological surveys, paleontological technical reports) and compliance-phase (e.g., paleontological monitoring, fossil excavation, fossil preparation) projects. The paleontology team collaborates with Rincon’s archaeology, biology, and planning teams in support of renewable energy, utility, transportation, water, and residential and commercial development clients. Rincon is seeking an individual who can serve as a Qualified Paleontologist/Project Paleontologist/Principal Investigator to support and lead our growing team of full-time and on-call staff.

While this role may offer flexible work arrangements that can include a mix of in-office and remote work, our changing business needs will ultimately determine our level of remote-work flexibility. Additionally, to promote in-person collaboration and client teaming, we prioritize hiring those who reside within 50 miles of a Rincon office which currently includes: Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Although this position is posted as a Los Angeles location, we will also consider candidates near offices locations listed above.

As a Senior Paleontologist, you will be tasked with performing the following:

Facilitate successful project completion of multiple projects with varied regulatory requirements including California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA)
Supervise and direct staff to ensure optimal productivity, foster mentorship, training and employee recognition
Manage projects, client expectations, and budgets
Maintain quality assurance/quality control of various paleontological work products which support CEQA and NEPA compliance for various agencies
Oversee and complete work products and fieldwork
Coordinate and lead project meetings
Coordinate with clients, agencies, stakeholders, Rincon peers, subcontractors, and vendors
Work in multidisciplinary teams for successful project execution including planners, biologists, and cultural resources specialists
Develop project proposals including costs and schedules
Participate in business planning and development
Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications Required:

8+ years of experience
Must have a MS or PhD in geology, biology, paleontology, or a closely related field
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology-qualified Professional Paleontologist
Proficient understanding of geologic and paleontological theory and interpretating geological and paleontological data
Proficient understanding of paleontological field methods, resource identification, and resource recordation
Demonstratable experience in technical report writing, including paleontological sensitivity evaluation
Demonstratable experience in project approach and methods development, and designing/implementing large-scale linear and acreage surveys
Demonstratable experience in leading survey, monitoring, and bulk sample collection/processing/analysis
Demonstratable experience in authoring work plans, research designs, recovery/salvage plans
Demonstratable experience leading salvage, identification, preparation, and curation methods (vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants)
Demonstratable experience preparing and implementing BLM PRUP permits
Demonstratable experience leading special agency documentation

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an award-winning leader in providing quality environmental consulting services throughout California and is recognized as a ‘Best Environmental Services Firm to Work For’ by the Zweig Group. We partner with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. Our 400+ associates in 13 offices located in Northern, Central and Southern California are dedicated professionals who combine their passion with our purpose.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $97,000.00 -$150,000.00, plus benefits and bonus. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package, providing our valued employees with many benefits to enhance their well-being and financial security. Our health benefits include a range of options such as HMO, PPO, HDHP, and Health Savings Account choices, ensuring you have the flexibility to select the plan that best suits your needs. 

Additionally, you can enjoy peace of mind with employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, as well as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. We prioritize your well-being by offering three weeks of vacation accrual in the first year, paid sick leave, and paid holidays, ensuring you have ample time off to rejuvenate. Planning for your future is made easier through our 401(k) / Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and bonus opportunities. 

Beyond the essentials, Rincon recognizes the importance of personal and professional growth, that's why we provide opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Our commitment extends to the community through Volunteer Pay for a Day, reinforcing the values of social responsibility. Moreover, we go the extra mile with additional perks like Flexible Spending & Dependent Care, Supplemental life insurance, Legal Shield, Identity Protection, Pet Insurance, and much more. Check out more details on our Rincon Consultants webpage here! 

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

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