Palaeontology Field Assistant
Application Deadline: | Friday, April 19th, 2024 |
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Location: | Wembley, AB |
Department: | Philip J Curie Dinosaur Museum |
Position Type: | Employment |
Term: | Full-Time |
Seasonal: | Yes |
Wage: | $18 per hour |
Posted on: | March 8th, 2024 |
Last updated: | March 11th, 2024 |
Description:
The Summer Palaeontology Field Assistant will serve a specific role in the research
and education mandate assisting with fossil collection in the field. The student will
assist as necessary in the field and with supervision of a paid public excavation
program at our Pipestone Creek fossil site. The position will both make use of proper
palaeontological field techniques and teach those field techniques to museum
visitors. In addition to fieldwork, as necessary, the position will assist the Museum
Curator and Technician and Collections Assistant in the lab with fossil preparation and
volunteer supervision. The Summer Palaeontology Field Assistant will be based out of
the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Wembley, AB, with many days spent primarily
outdoors at various fossil sites.
This position will:
1. Preserve and protect palaeontological resources as historical resources for future
generations.
2. Promote an understanding of palaeontology within the Peace Region of Alberta by
using fossils to educate students and the public.
3. Promote scientific research of palaeontology resources in the Peace Region.
Specifically, the position will assist in the collection of new local fossils for research
and display, assist the museum as it continues to offer an exciting new educational
program, and protect and conserve the local fossil resources of the area. The Field
Assistant will gain invaluable work experience, practical skills for palaeontology
(collecting methods for vertebrate fossils), collections management skills (storing and
cataloguing objects) and public outreach. Additional skills such as working as part of a
team and problem solving will be fostered in the field.
Description of Tasks:
The Summer Palaeontology Field Assistant’s tasks and responsibilities during their
work term with the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum will be:
1. Assist Museum curatorial team and University of Alberta collaborators in palaeontology
fieldwork in the region, prospecting, excavating, and collecting fossils.
2. Assist with the paid public program ‘Palaeontologist for a Day’, supervising
participants and excavating fossils.
3. Learn proper palaeontological techniques for prospecting, excavation and collection of
fossils.
4. Prepare fossil specimens in the lab.
5. Carry out standards of best practice for fossil collection in the field.
6. Participate in public outreach relating to palaeontology, geology, and natural history
of Alberta and the Peace Country region.
7. Assist Museum staff with organization of fossil collection as necessary.
The Ideal Candidate will have the following attributes/qualities:
1. Some knowledgeable or interested in Alberta’s palaeontology, geology, and/or natural
history.
2. An attention to detail, good organizational skills, and the ability to work
independently on focused tasks.
3. Comfort interacting with the public, including children.
4. The ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
5. The ability to lift moderately heavy objects.
6. The ability to work as a team
7. A Class 5 or higher Driver’s License or equivalent.
8. Fluency in written and spoken English.
Preference will be given to candidates who:
1. Are currently attending and/or be returning to post-secondary education with a degree
in palaeontology, geology, archaeology, museum studies, zoology, biology, science,
engineering, or equivalent.
2. Have experience collecting, preparing and/or handling fossils in a lab or field setting.
3. Have proficiency in French.
Period of Employment
The period of employment for this position will May 15th, 2024 to August 30th, 2024.
Training and team building will be undertaken in May, with public programs and field
work beginning in June. (Some negotiation around start/end dates can be
considered).
Salary: $18.00/hr
To Apply:
Please send you CV and cover letter to hr@dinomuseum.ca and/or
curator@dinomuseum.ca
Note this position is funded through Young Canada Works (YCW)
(https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canadaworks.html), and the YCW criteria for eligibility may apply . Applicants areencouraged to explore the YCW website and create a profile (https://young-canadaworks.canada.ca/Account/Login ) there prior to applying. Applicates who are not
eligible for YCW are still encouraged to apply.
The deadline to apply is April 19th, 2024 at 11:59pm.
About the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
The PJCDM is located 2 km outside the Town of Wembley and approximately 33 km
from the City of Grande Prairie. While the successful candidate is responsible for
finding their own accommodation in the Grande Prairie area, the museum can suggest
some potential options. The successful candidate must be present, in-person, at the
museum during work hours. They must be willing to work some evenings and
weekends to accommodate volunteers and special events.
To apply, please send your resume to hr@dinomusuem.ca and/or
curator@dinmuseum.ca