Paleontological Monitors/Technicians – Southern California and Nevada/Great Basin

Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc.; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

GSA per diem

Lodging provided

Vehicle provided

On-the-job training

Job summary

Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc. is seeking a paleontological monitor/technician for several months of compliance monitoring and technical fieldwork on projects in Southern California and Nevada.

The role supports late 2026 into 2027 with flexible scheduling, including temporary, seasonal, part-time or on-call work for eligible candidates. You should have paleontological field experience, a relevant degree, strong communication, and the ability to work outdoors across varied

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in geology, paleontology, earth sciences (or a related field).
• A field school or commensurate field experience (e.g., survey, identification/documentation, excavation, fossil preparation, and familiarity with standard electronic devices and hand-held tools).
• Experience with paleontological fieldwork.
• Detail-oriented, able to adapt to varying data collection needs, attention to outdoor field methods/pace.
• Responsive in communications and effective in verbal, email, text, and other forms of timely professional messaging.
• Willingness to learn/refine new skills on-the-job.
• Ability to respectfully, collaboratively, and professionally interact with clients, other team members and subconsultants, and co-workers.
• Can comply with Far Western’s Safety Program and other Far Western training and operations protocols.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring – Compliance monitoring on small and large-scale projects of varying durations Late 2026 into 2027.
• Field Survey - Pedestrian inventory and geological assessment, schedules variable.

Skills

Paleontological monitoring experience

Detail-oriented

Strong communication

Outdoor fieldwork

On-the-job learning

GPS navigation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in geology, paleontology, earth sciences

Tools

Hand-held tools

Job description

Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc.

Current Opportunity

Far Western is immediately seeking applicants for a paleontological monitor/technician for several months of compliance monitoring and technical fieldwork on large projects in Southern California (San Bernardino County) and Nevada. We anticipate work starting in fall/winter 2026 and continuing into 2027. At this time, we are seeking committed individuals (1) with paleontological monitoring experience; (2) capable of being added to our permit in Nevada or interested in working toward being permitted in Nevada. Hiring would be flexible and allow for temporary, seasonal, part-time, and on-call schedules (although preference given to those willing to commit to durations of projects).

Compensation

• Hourly Rate: $35.00/hour.
• GSA per diem.
• Lodging and vehicles arranged by Far Western.
• On-the-job training.

Project Details

• Monitoring – Compliance monitoring on small and large-scale projects of varying durations Late 2026 into 2027.
• Field Survey - Pedestrian inventory and geological assessment, schedules variable.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in geology, paleontology, earth sciences (or a related field).
• A field school or commensurate field experience (e.g., survey, identification/documentation, excavation, fossil preparation, and familiarity with standard electronic devices and hand-held tools).
• Experience with paleontological fieldwork.
• Detail-oriented, able to adapt to varying data collection needs, attention to outdoor field methods/pace.
• Responsive in communications and effective in verbal, email, text, and other forms of timely professional messaging.
• Willingness to learn/refine new skills on-the-job.
• Ability to respectfully, collaboratively, and professionally interact with clients, other team members and subconsultants, and co-workers.
• Can comply with Far Western’s Safety Program and other Far Western training and operations protocols.
• Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Cross-trained (X-trained) in archaeology or experience in cultural resources management identification and documentation.
• Basic compass, map, GPS navigation skills.
• Experience working outdoors in variable weather conditions and different types of environments.
• Ability to hike long distances for up to 10 consecutive days in rugged terrain and variable weather.
• Has a current driver's license and can operate a 4WD vehicle in varying terrain.
• Current First Aid/CPR training/certifications and/or willingness to be trained.
• Current Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) training and/or willingness to be trained.

About Far Western

Founded in 1979, Far Western is one of the largest and most respected cultural and paleontological resources firms in the United States. We take pride in balancing the compliance needs of our clients with high-quality research and innovative problem-solving. We believe our approach highlights the core purpose of paleontological resource preservation laws to work in the public interest.

Incentives

• On-the-job training for continued work on other regional projects and upward mobility in the industry.