FIELD PALEONTOLOGIST (PROJECT GEOLOGIST)
This position may be filled at the geologist or project geologist level depending on experience and qualifications.
FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $36.04 - $46.00 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid
Recruiter – Karen Weir | [email protected] | 8015387425
Application Deadline – 8/6/2026
Job Description
The Geologic Mapping and Paleontology Program of the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is seeking a full time permanent Preparator – Field Paleontologist. This is a unique opportunity to build a career focused on Field Paleontology in Utah. This position will be focused on fulfilling Utah paleontology regulation regarding the documentation, preservation, and promotion of Utah’s vast paleontological resource. Funded by UGS base funding supplemented by Federal projects at multiple scales including projects for NPS, BLM, USFS, and Statemap. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing paleontological field work and the preparation lab for a variety of paleontological projects with a focus on resource inventory, salvage, and research in support of understanding Utah’s geological history and stratigraphic framework. Maintenance of Utah’s ever growing Paleontological Locality Database is a critical part of the program and with 25,000 records it is unrivaled anywhere.
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities and day to day responsibilities of this position:
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Oversee fossil preparation in UGS preparation lab by insuring equipment is operational, preparing significant fossils, overseeing volunteers, organizing the transfer of prepared specimens into appropriate repositories.
Supervise paleontological field work by overseeing base camp operations, excavations, volunteers, collecting field data, and creating digital paleontological locality files. -
Perform geologic field work that includes putting paleontological field data into geological context stratigraphically and geographically.
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Prepare paleontological permit applications, supporting materials, and final reports for federal and state agencies as needed working with State Paleontologist.
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Review paleontological reports and publications for UGS, external scientists, and students.
Address review comments and complete reports on time for contract deliverables, provide timely reviews of geologic publications in collaboration with other UGS staff and outside geoscientists. -
Work closely with the State Paleontologist to address issues related to paleontological resource management on public lands.
- Develop paleontological and geologic expertise for Utah and share this expertise via conferences, publishing, and public interaction.
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Collaborate with other Utah Geological Survey staff and external scientists investigating the geological heritage of Utah.
Qualifications
Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:
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B.S. in Geology or Biology (Paleontology) required; M.S. or Ph.D. in Geology or Biology (Paleontology) is preferred.
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May underfill based on candidates experience level.
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Project Geologist - must be licensed as a geologist in the state of Utah.
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Geologist - doesn't require licensure, but the incumbent is generally working toward becoming licensed.
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Must have experience in vertebrate fossil preparation and field excavation.
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Need to be able to assure personal safety in a variety of remote wilderness and urban settings.
Preferred or trainable/on-the-job qualifications:
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A track record of fossil preparation at both the micro and macro scale documented by portfolio of past fossil preparations.
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Experience in both paleontological inventory investigations and overseeing large scale vertebrate fossil excavations.
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Creating high quality digital quarry maps using ArcGIS (ArcPro), and other map related software.
Experience conducting paleontological field work including fossil prospecting, site evaluation and documentation, excavation, quarry mapping, and stratigraphy.
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Experience developing 3-D paleontological data through photogrammetry and other means.
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Experience with field work that involves safe travel through various remote wilderness and urban settings, and remote four-wheel driving.
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Experience preparing reports, papers, and presentations including supporting figures, tables, and summary materials.
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Experience reviewing reports and providing constructive feedback to collaborators and coworkers.
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Experience with Utah paleontology and geology.
About the Role
Location –
1594 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT, 84116
United States
Background Check Required – No
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service
Work Schedule - Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week
Special Working Conditions or Physical Requirements -
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The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restricted areas, defending oneself and/or others against physical attack.
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Participate in remote fieldwork that involves cross-country hiking and travel on and off trails on foot with a pack and equipment.
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Current valid drivers license
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Position will require frequent travel; occasionally overnight for up to several weeks at a time. Overnights often require camping.
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Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
Project Geologist - (Salary Range $36.04 - $54.12) This is a lead level job. Incumbents require limited direction and provide functional supervision to staff. Incumbents exercise independent judgement and utilize advanced expertise in geology to perform professional geologic duties. Conduct assigned research-oriented geological projects, implementing and monitoring plans and budgets on assigned projects. Must be Licensed as a Professional Geologist in the State of Utah.
Geologist - (Salary Range $32.32 - $48.56) This is a working level job. Under general supervision, incumbents exercise independent judgement and utilize training in geology to perform professional geologic duties. Conduct assigned research-oriented geological projects, implementing and monitoring plans and budgets on assigned projects.
Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:
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Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
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Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
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Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
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Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
The Agency
Utah preserves the most complete fossil record of the entire history of life of nearly any place on Earth and is particularly known for its spectacular dinosaur record. Utah is a geological wonderland from its well-known red rock canyon country to its complicated basin and range geology, upland plateaus and mountains. This position is a unique chance to build a career studying and documenting the unique paleontological record of Utah. The applicant will be joining one of the most successful State Geological Survey programs in the U.S. with a long track record of publishing standard setting geologic and paleontological reports and peer reviewed journal articles. The Utah Geological Survey is a diverse earth science organization that includes groups working on Energy and Mineral Resources, Geologic Hazards, Information and Outreach, and Hydrology and Wetlands. The Utah Geological Survey believes that an ethical, motivated, and experienced work force are cornerstones of institutional, scientific, and creative excellence and are inextricably linked with our mission, vision, and values.
Utah Geological Survey
Utah Department of Natural Resources
Paleontology Program
EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.
