Senior Paleontologist/Principal Investigator | Southwest

at  Chronicle Heritage

COMPANY PROFILE

Chronicle Heritage is a solution-driven heritage consulting firm that prides itself on employing the best cultural resource management professionals in the industry. We place an emphasis on supporting our clients’ needs, fostering new technologies that advance our industry, and leveraging those advancements toward the management of non-renewable cultural resources. Chronicle Heritage prioritizes professional development within the framework of innovation and forward thinking to encourage career advancement and research development.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Chronicle Heritage is seeking a Senior Paleontologist/Principal Investigator to join our quickly growing team of experienced, motivated professionals.
Hire Type: Full-time, salaried
Schedule: Monday–Friday, normal business hours with occasional weekend work
Location: Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Wyoming, Washington (office based, hybrid, or remote); Colorado preferred

The Senior Paleontologist/Principal Investigator will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead paleontology studies firmwide and ensure clients receive high-quality, scientifically sound, and on-time deliverables
• Oversee and coordinate with local, regional, and/or nationwide paleontology team members conducting both field and desktop research
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance/quality control while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Train, lead, and mentor staff and actively engage in professional development
• Interface with clients, agencies, and external stakeholders
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulations affecting paleontological resources and general industry trends and standards
• Demonstrate technical excellence in vertebrate paleontology and maintain knowledge of best management practices in mitigation paleontology
• Oversee field investigations of proposed project sites to assess or evaluate paleontological resources or the potential for resources
• Direct collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; formulate management recommendations and/or mitigation measures
• Oversee proposal and budget preparation

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree specializing in paleontology, geology, biology, or a closely related field
• 4+ years of professional experience conducting paleontological investigations in one or more states in the western United States
• 2+ years of CRM consulting experience
• Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to paleontological resources, and state-specific knowledge/experience in one or more states in the western United States
• Demonstrated experience conducting paleontological resource surveys, identifying fossils in the field, fossil collection and laboratory preparation, analysis and museum curation, and technical reporting
• Demonstrated ability to lead field survey crews and oversee surveyors and/or compliance monitors
• Willingness to travel and conduct fieldwork in often remote locations and in rough terrain and/or challenging weather
• Ability to be listed as Field Director or Principal Investigator on federal paleontological use permits
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong technical report writing ability

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, Paleontological Resources Protection Act, and/or the California Environmental Quality Act
• Prior consulting experience
• Active member of the professional community
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• 10+ years of professional experience conducting paleontological investigations in one or more states in the western United States

• Lead paleontology studies firmwide and ensure clients receive high-quality, scientifically sound, and on-time deliverables
• Oversee and coordinate with local, regional, and/or nationwide paleontology team members conducting both field and desktop research
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance/quality control while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Train, lead, and mentor staff and actively engage in professional development
• Interface with clients, agencies, and external stakeholders
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulations affecting paleontological resources and general industry trends and standards
• Demonstrate technical excellence in vertebrate paleontology and maintain knowledge of best management practices in mitigation paleontology
• Oversee field investigations of proposed project sites to assess or evaluate paleontological resources or the potential for resources
• Direct collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; formulate management recommendations and/or mitigation measures
• Oversee proposal and budget preparatio