Paleontology Assistant -Waco Mammoth National Monument

Start/End Dates: May 19, 2025 – August 9, 2025 (12 weeks)

Mosaics in Science seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. You must be (additional requirements):

• A U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• A personal vehicle is RECOMMENDED for this position.

Position Description:
During the summer 2022 Scientists in Parks internship, the intern discovered that many in situ fossils were poorly conserved. Some specimens were found stuffed with leaves and sticks, and adhesives were used to cover up the poor preparation. Summer 2023 participants began work on the process of conserving these delicate fossils, but there are still many specimens that need attention. Additionally, there are thousands of specimens housed at the Mayborn Museum on Baylor University’s campus that need to be cleaned and rebuilt.

This position will focus on conserving the in-situ fossils of the only known Columbian mammoth nursery herd. This fossil resource defines the purpose of the Waco Mammoth National Monument, so its management, conservation, and protection are of utmost importance.

Responsibilities:

• 60% jobshiringnearme.org: This season’s project will focus on the in situ remains of America’s only known Columbian mammoth nursery herd. The intern will use small manual tools, consolidants, and adhesives to clean and repair these bones. All work will be documented on preparation sheets. During this process, it is likely that new in situ material will be uncovered. The intern will learn the process of labeling and recording new specimens for the Interior Collections Management System. All details will also be updated in the field notebook.
• 30% Fossil jacket preparation, including exhibit preparation: Most of the nursery herd was excavated and removed in plaster jackets during the 1980s and 1990s, and most of these remain in those jackets. The intern will work on excavating these sometimes large jackets. Small preparation spaces are set up in the dig shelter and at the Mayborn Museum Complex, and a larger lab is available on Baylor University’s campus. The Dig Shelter and museum spaces are exhibit preparation areas, and the intern will interact with the public while working on projects. This typically includes answering questions regarding the specific project as well as the site as a whole, requiring solid customer service skills.
• 10% Education and outreach: The intern will assist Interpretation staff with educational and outreach programming, which may include on-site school groups, off-site summer camps, or distance learning. Training in ACE (Audience-Centered Experiences) will be provided before programming begins. Interns will also help staff large events like the summer STEM Fest held at the Mayborn Museum Complex on Baylor University’s campus. Additional small projects, such as videos, social media, and educational content, may be included for professional development and can be discussed during the first week.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and career objectives are in paleontology, geology, biology, or museum studies.
• Preferred qualifications include prior experience preparing fossil remains and a basic knowledge of skeletal anatomy, paleontology, geology, and biology.
• Able to work well independently with minimal supervision.

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

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 be 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.