Paleontological Field Director (Field Based)

Environmental Resources Management, Inc. in; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Environmental Resources Management, Inc. (ERM) seeks a Paleontological Field Director to provide on-site monitoring and compliance during a Northern Nevada fiber optic project.

The role requires independent field decision making and collaboration with project teams to maintain regulatory standards while progress continues. This field-based, 6-month fixed-term position offers full-time hours (40–50 per week) with potential extension.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Paleontology, Anthropology or Biology or related field.
• 2–3 years of professional experience in Great Basin/Nevada paleontological survey and monitoring.
• Familiarity with BLM guidelines and Field Agent permits in Nevada.
• Ability to identify vertebrate, invertebrate, plant and microscopic fossils.
• Experience using GPS units and Esri software (Survey123, Field Maps) on tablets.
• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Ability to work safely in active construction environments and outdoor field conditions.
• Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day and carry up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor construction activities for potential paleontological resource discoveries.
• Identify, document, and evaluate paleontological resources in various rocks or deposits.
• Implement unanticipated discovery procedures per permits and monitoring plans.
• Coordinate in real time with construction crews, project managers, and leads.
• Maintain compliance with PRUP terms and conditions.
• Complete daily monitoring logs, field notes, and photographic documentation.
• Collect GPS data as instructed and assist with reporting.
• Communicate findings and status to managers and senior paleontologists.
• Participate in worker paleontological resource awareness briefings.
• Support coordination with subcontractors on site; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Field monitoring

Regulatory compliance

Strong field judgment

Effective communication

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geology, Paleontology, Anthropology, or Biology

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GPS units

Esri Survey123

Esri Field Maps

Job description

Paleontological Field Director (Field Based) (Biotech)

ERMis hiringPaleontological Field Directorto provide on-site paleontological resource monitoring and compliance supportduring the construction phase of our client's fiber optic project inNorthern Nevada.

The Paleontological Field Director works closely with construction personnel, project managers, and paleontological resources leads to implement monitoring and mitigation, respond to discoveries, and support uninterrupted project progress while maintaining regulatory compliance. This role requires strong field judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work safely and effectively in active construction environments.

The position requires the ability to work independently, communicate effectively with project teams, and make sound, real-time decisions in the field. Successful candidates must be flexible and responsive to a changing work environment where schedules, site locations, and tasks fluctuate according to the needs of the project. This is afull-time (40-50 hours/week), limited-term role with a duration of6 monthsand the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

Monitor construction activities for potential paleontological resource discoveries as instructed, such as during grading, trenching, excavation, and utility installation

Identify, document, and evaluate paleontological resources in a variety of sedimentary rocks or alluvial deposits

Implement unanticipated discovery procedures in accordance with project permits and monitoring plans

Coordinate in real time with construction crews, project managers, and paleontological resource leads

Maintain compliance with BLM paleontological resources use permit (PRUP) terms and conditions

Complete daily monitoring logs, field notes, and photographic documentation

Collect GPS data as instructed

Assist with preparation of monitoring summaries, discovery documentation, and technical memoranda

Communicate findings, compliance concerns, and work status to project managers and senior paleontologists

Participate in construction worker paleontological resource awareness briefings as needed

Support coordination with subcontractors on site, when applicable

Other duties as assigned or required

Compliance with ERM's rigorous safety program

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Geology, Paleontology, Anthropology, or Biology, or a closely related field preferred

Minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience in Great Basin/Nevada paleontological survey and construction monitoring

Familiarity BLM paleontology guidelines and previously listed as a permitted Field Agent (Field Director) in Nevada; individuals listed as Field Monitor only are encouraged to apply

Ability to identify a variety of paleontological resources, including vertebrate, invertebrate, plant, and microscopic fossils

Experience using GPS units and Esri software, including Survey123 and Field Maps, on tablets

Experience screening sedimentary matrix for fossils and salvaging fossils

Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record

Ability to work safely in active construction environments and outdoor field conditions

Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day and carry up to 50 lbs

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree preferred. Candidates with relevant professional experience demonstrating a commensurate level of knowledge and expertise are also encouraged to apply.

Listed as a Field Agent (Field Director) on other BLM or state permits throughout the Southwestern or Rocky Mountains subregions

Previous experience preparing large plaster jackets to safely encase and remove fossils from sites

Experience working in remote areas for extended periods

Demonstrated ability to support projects requiring sustained field engagement

Experience working alongside Native American tribal monitors

Experience supporting the preparation of technical reports, monitoring summaries, or discovery documentation

OSHA 10- or 30-hour construction safety training

Wilderness and Remote First Aid Training

Work Environment

This position is field-intensive and may involve:

Long hours in outdoor environments and temperature extremes

Walking or hiking on uneven terrain while carrying field equipment

Working in active construction sites around heavy equipment

Candidates must be physically capable of performing required field duties safely.

For thePaleontological Field Directorposition, theanticipatedannual base pay is$X–$Y(USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus paysubject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures(casual and fixed term/flex force employees arenot bonuseligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world's leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainabilitychallengesand unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse,equitableand inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our companya great placeto build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class expertssupportsclients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technicalexpertisein addressingtheirenvironmental, health, safety,riskand social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advanceobjectiveson the ground or at the executive level.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do notforwardresumes to ourjobsalias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.