Fossil Dig Summer Staff

• Position: Field Instructor
• Length: May – September

The Montana Dinosaur Center is looking for several summer field instructors to join our team for the summer of the upcoming season. Summer staff will work with our staff to maintain and improve the museum, run public education programs, manage dig sites, and inspire the next generation of scientists. This is an entry level position with an emphasis on field work and public communication. Ideal candidates will be comfortable with public speaking, including telling stories about natural history to a variety of audiences.

The Montana Dinosaur Center is a small dinosaur museum located along the Rocky Mountain Front near Bynum, Montana. We are situated one and a half hours south of Glacier National Park. For over 25 years TMDC has included the public in fossil excavations through our field expeditions.

Our research and field work is primarily in the Campanian Two Medicine Formation, which is world-renowned for its exceptional preservation of dinosaur eggs and babies. Occasionally we venture into the Judith and Hell Creek Formations.

Duties

Daily activities vary, but primary duties include conducting full-day dig expeditions with one or two colleagues for groups between 3 and 10 people and individually conducting half-day site tours for groups between 3-12.

Other duties include working at the front desk (museum visitor and retail services), performing janitorial duties, acting as a docent in our museum gallery, assisting with the collection and documentation of fossil specimens, interacting and engaging children, and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 18 or older
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs. unaided
• Able to walk up to 5 miles per day on uneven terrain
• Comfortable with speaking and teaching all age groups
• Positive attitude

Desired Qualifications

• Background in biology or geology
• Pursuing a college degree in Biology, Earth Sciences, or related field
• Prior experience working with the public
• Prior experience driving vans or similar large vehicles
• Prior experience excavating fossils and/or other artifacts
• First Aid Certification
• Self-starter
• Curious nature
• Good situational awareness

Typical Working Conditions

• Occasional exposure to the elements, such as rain, high winds, smoke, and extreme heat of summer in Montana
• Driving 15-passenger vans/Suburbans off road
• Digging activities: bending over, crouching, scrambling, lifting, pulling, digging, shoveling, picking, and other excavation-related activities
• Maintain energy and positivity throughout the day while working in the field
• Walk several miles through difficult terrain while field searching

Living Accommodations

Housing is provided free of charge at the museum in camper trailers. Fiber internet/WiFi is also provided. Staff have access to a free washer and dryer, and a staff lounge/recreation area on our second floor. Staff are welcome to pursue alternate housing arrangements in Bynum or Choteau.

On Site Training

• Quarry methods
• Note-taking
• Bone & fossil identification (sometimes scat too)
• Lab methods
• Reading local geology
• Map Reading
• Field Techniques
• Documentation
• Excavation
• Making Field Jackets
• Lab Techniques Documentation
• Preparation
• Public Speaking
• Learning about the local history

Other Information

• Wages $12 – $18 hour DOE
• Starting date: May 14 – 18 (flexible to your schedule)
• End date: Aug 15 – Sept 4 (flexible to your schedule)
• Hours and days off are variable(30 up to 40 hours/week), with 2 days off per week
• Most work days will be between 8 and 9 hours

Application Documents Required

• Current Resume
• Cover Letter
• Portfolio of previous work (i.e. field notes, prep projects, list of relevant classes, etc.) (optional)
• Three letters of reference (emailed to lor@tmdinosaurcenter.org)
• Completed application

Positions are open until February 10 or all positions have been filled