Summer Palaeontology Field Technician 3-month contract

Are you passionate about culture, the arts, natural history, and science? Are you keen on how these elements aesthetically come together to tell the many stories of humanity?Join our team at ROM for an enriching experience as a Summer Field Technician in the Lawrence Lambe Internship:
Vertebrate Paleontology program.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Curator-in-Charge, the Summer Palaeontology Field Technician - Vertebrate Paleontology will assist the Collections Technician II with the 2024 Southern Alberta Dinosaur Project expedition. Responsibilities include setting up and taking down the field camp, assisting with fossil collection and preparation, and transporting crew, supplies, and fossils.

Key duties involve procuring and organizing field equipment (safety gear, digging tools, generators, drills, grid squares, etc.), camp furniture (tables, chairs, BBQ, shower, kitchen equipment, etc.), and supplies (plaster, burlap, consolidants, glues, brushes, etc.). The technician will help with daily camp operations, ensuring trucks are stocked with necessary gear and supplies, organizing food and water for meals and activities, and managing excavation supplies.

Additional tasks include aiding in meal planning and resupply runs, operating and repairing field equipment, and training students and volunteers in fossil collection techniques. If time permits, the technician will also assist with fossil preparation in the vertebrate paleontology lab at ROM.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Prepare, conserve, stabilize, consolidate, and support vertebrate fossils collected during the 2023 ROM field season.
Assist the Technician-Vertebrate Paleontology with the daily operations of a remote field camp, including transportation of crew and supplies, managing field logistics, and setting up and tearing down the camp.
Participate in the field collection of specimens, including excavation, data collection, stabilization, jacketing, and transportation of fossils.
Assist in training volunteers in standard fossil and data collection techniques.
Provide guidance and support to volunteers to ensure accurate and efficient collection and recording of fossil data.
Ensure volunteers follow safety protocols and proper handling procedures for fossils and equipment.
Oversee the procurement, organization, and maintenance of field equipment, including safety gear, digging tools, generators, and data collection devices.
Ensure all excavation sites have the necessary tools, collection supplies, and safety equipment.
Assist in the operation and repair of field equipment as needed.
Coordinate daily camp activities, ensuring all necessary gear and supplies are prepared for fieldwork.
Manage food and water supplies, ensuring they are organized for meal preparation and camp activities.
Aid in developing meal plans and purchasing food and supplies during resupply runs.
Ensure meticulous attention to detail in recording and managing collected fossil data.
Maintain accurate photographic, digital, and hard copy records of fossil collections.
Assist in developing and implementing efficient data recording and management systems for fieldwork operations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Completion of education in a related field, focusing on Vertebrate Paleontology collectionsand related fieldwork experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven experience in managing the daily operations of a paleontology field camp, including the preparation and conservation of vertebrate fossils, maintenance, operation, and repair of collecting equipment, and the collection, data recording, and record-keeping of collected fossils.
Required skills:
Knowledge of adhesives used in paleontological preparation, materials and processes for fossil collection, and materials for supporting and caring for fossil collections.
Experience and knowledge of vertebrate fossil collections, with required photographic skills and meticulous attention to detail for collections record-keeping (photographic, digital, and hard copies).
Valid Ontario driver's license for crew and supply transportation.
SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

START DATE:
June 2024
OPEN DATE:
May 31, 2024
CLOSE DATE:
June 14, 2024
STATUS:
Full-time Contract
EMPLOYEE GROUP:
Non-Union
HOURLY RATE:
$18hr. undergraduate & $20/hr. Masters
SCHEDULE:
Up to 35 hours
LOCATION (hybrid):
Toronto, ON

Diversity Statement
At ROM, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusion foundational to our institutional success. We seek to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the city and province in which we are located and welcome all qualified and experienced candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, age, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Accessibility Statement
ROM is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and, other checks depending on the role.
•