Principal Technical Consultant, Paleontology

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Colorado, +3 more states.

📋 Description

• Act as the Permit Administrator and/or Principal Investigator for BLM Paleontological Resources Use Permits as well as relevant state permits.

• Provide high-level technical quality assurance and quality control for deliverables created by qualified paleontologists and resource specialists.

• Supervise teams performing desktop studies and field investigations, which include reconnaissance and pedestrian surveys, fossil salvage and collection, and construction monitoring.

• Lead, manage, mentor, and nurture the development of mid-level and junior paleontologists and cultural resources specialists.

• Engage in hiring, mentorship, engagement initiatives, and coordination across the cultural and paleontological resources practice.

• Collaborate with Paleontology Principal Investigators, Regional Leads, the Consulting Director for Archaeology, Area Managers, and Managing Partners.

• Act as the primary author, senior reviewer, or task manager for paleontological resource studies that support large-scale capital projects.

• Ensure that work is completed within the defined scope, budget, schedule, and quality standards.

• Manage projects that range from multi-state linear infrastructure developments to site-specific investigations.

• Enhance client relationships and foster new client partnerships.

• Identify opportunities for cross-selling cultural and paleontological resources services.

• Collaborate with environmental planners, archaeologists, biologists, wetland specialists, GIS specialists, and engineers.

• Represent ERM in communications and meetings with clients, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, teaming partners, and subcontractors.

• Assess subcontractor needs and oversee subcontractor quality, schedules, and deliverables.

⛳️ Requirements

• A graduate degree in Paleontology, Geology, Biology, Anthropology, or a closely related field of study.

• 6-8 years of relevant mitigation and environmental due diligence experience or equivalent experience.

• Capability to be listed as a Principal Investigator on BLM Paleontological Resources Use Permits, state permits, and similar authorizations within the Great Basin and/or Rocky Mountain subregions.

• Proven field experience and principal-level project oversight within the Great Basin or Rocky Mountain subregions, including inventory, survey, salvage, and data recovery efforts.

• Experience as the primary author and/or third-party reviewer of agency-reviewed technical reports, including paleontological resource reports, mitigation plans, and environmental review documents.

• Experience collaborating directly with regulatory agency personnel while representing clients.

• Ability to work effectively within teams comprised of cultural heritage specialists and multidisciplinary technical professionals.

• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to project sites across Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and other locations.

• Previous experience utilizing mapping and field technologies, such as GPS equipment, ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, and related applications.

• A valid driver's license and/or capability to operate a company vehicle.

• Experience serving as Field Director or Principal Investigator on cultural resources federal and state permits throughout California and the Southwestern United States.

• Previous laboratory analysis, fossil screening, plaster jacketing, and curation processing experience.

• Demonstrated experience in supervising personnel and direct reports.

• Proven business development experience and success in expanding client relationships and project portfolios.

• Experience managing complex, multidisciplinary environmental consulting projects.

• Resume and a brief cover letter are required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and floating holidays).

• Parental leave.

• Medical insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• Life insurance.

• Disability insurance.

• AD&D insurance.

• 401(k) plan.

• Eligibility for bonus pay, subject to ERM's discretion and policies.