As-Needed Paleontological Field Technicians (Central Coast, SoCal, NorCal Regions)
About Us
We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.
As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place to Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.
About The Role
We are seeking as-needed Paleontological Field Technicians who will be responsible for providing paleontological mitigation support throughout California. This role will be responsible for conducting paleontological monitoring on construction sites, including preparation for sustained monitoring in a variety of climates and ecologies.
Please note, this position is listed for California and is available for any of the Central Coast, SoCal, and NorCal regions, with particular interest in candidates located in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Fresno counties.
What You'll Do
- Perform construction mitigation monitoring for paleontological resources.
- Collect detailed and accurate field data with a focus on the geology and stratigraphy of the site and prepare clear and concise daily monitoring reports to summarize the data.
- Collect fossils during monitoring, perform/assist with small- and large-scale fossil salvage that may include plaster jacketing or bulk matrix sampling.
- Clean, organize, and prepare fossils for institutional curation.
- Work under the direction of a qualified paleontologist.
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree in geology, paleontology, or a closely related field, with coursework and field training in paleontology and sedimentary geology.
- Experience in California paleontology, which may include paleontological monitoring, survey, fossil salvage, laboratory preparation, report writing, and coordination with a principal paleontologist.
- Ability to safely perform fieldwork on construction sites often in rough terrain and inclement weather for long hours.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), a high level of responsiveness to supervisors, the ability to follow detailed instructions, and strong organizational skills.
- A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation for travel to and from project work sites.
- Proficient in technology with the ability to reliably communicate through smartphones, computers, or tablets.
Compensation
The base hourly range for this temporary position is $25.00–$35.00 per hour. 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.
Additional Employment Information
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.
Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. 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.