Paleontology Assistant – Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Start/End Dates: May 26, 2025 – August 17, 2025 (12 weeks)

Mosaics in Science seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Note: A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description: 

In 2019, numerous shark fossil specimens were discovered in the lower levels of Mammoth Cave, prompting an ongoing project to catalog these fossils into the park’s Museum Management Collection System (MMCS). The intern’s primary responsibility will be to research, catalog, and store these fossils in the collection storage area. They may also participate in fieldwork as staff continue to locate additional paleontological resources both inside Mammoth Cave and on the park’s surface.

The intern will assist visiting researchers, including both the public and professionals, and may have opportunities to learn about cultural and historic resources, including archaeological site management, GIS, and document digitization. Additional opportunities may include training in caving, paddling, rope work, navigation, and first aid, with the potential for certifications and other relevant training, depending on park policy.

Responsibilities:

• The intern will create and input catalog records for the fossil specimens in the museum collection and produce a report.
• The intern will produce a group presentation for the SRM staff members about this project and the various projects they participated in throughout the summer.
• The intern will produce a report on their time at Mammoth Cave in the form of a poster presentation.

Qualifications:

• Major studies relevant to this position include Geology, Paleontology, History, Archaeology, English, Anthropology, or Biology. Students in history and the physical sciences would possess the necessary skills.
• Computer competence in Word and Excel.
• Ability to interact with the public.
• Two years of post-secondary education.

• The intern should be a self-starter, curious about the world around them, and willing to research questions that arise.
• Strong research and writing skills, along with computer competence.
• Organized, able to plan activities, and set goals within the parameters of the project.
• While the intern must be an independent thinker, they should also be able to take direction when needed.

Interns in this program will receive 480 hours toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. See below for more information:

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.