Jobs and Internships!

Petrified Forest National Park has a few internships and interpretation jobs available! Check out the notices below (Internship is in green, Interpretation job is in purple). Good luck to all who apply!
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Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona (USA) is looking for paleontology/geology summer interns to help conduct an ongoing inventory of paleontological sites in the park.

This is a fieldwork based inventory in which participants will be part of a team effort to survey for paleontological sites in a newly acquired expansion of the park. Interns will record data relevant to each site including GPS coordinates and photographs as well as geological and stratigraphic data. Participants will also be involved in the collection and excavation of fossil sites. In addition, participants will help prepare fossil specimens in the park preparation facility. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience in basic geological mapping, field exploration, collection techniques, fossil preparation, and to become familiar with the role of the National Park Service in resource protection. The exposures in the park are Late Triassic in age and contain early dinosaurs, labyrinthodont amphibians, and many crocodile-line archosaurs and well as numerous plants and freshwater invertebrates.

This position is based out of Petrified Forest National Park, which is 24 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona on Interstate 40. Park housing is available and free of charge for all interns. A meal reimbursement of $150 per week is also available. Housing for this position is a three bedroom house. Kitchen, bath, dining and living rooms are shared. Bedroom may be shared. Houses are located at the park headquarters. Although not required, applicants are advised that a personal vehicle will greatly help accessing services such as groceries, doctors, and other amenities.

This position is for 10-12 weeks starting in the middle of May 2009 and continuing through August.

Work is primarily performed outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and daily thunderstorms. Participants may be required to hike long distances in rough terrain in a hot, dry climate sometimes carrying heavy loads up to 60 pounds. Work requires long periods of bending, stooping, walking, climbing and working in cramped positions. Work is often performed in backcountry or wilderness areas of the park.

Applicants should have a background in paleontology or geology, a basic knowledge of fossil resources and their preservation, and have a working knowledge of computers. Familiarity with the paleontology, especially the paleobotany, of the Late Triassic is helpful but not necessary. Basic knowledge of GPS and GIS is also helpful but not required.

To apply send a current resume and the names and phone numbers of two references to: Bill Parker, Division of Resource Management, Petrified Forest National Park, PO Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

For more information regarding this position please contact Bill Parker at Petrified Forest National Park. E-mail: William_Parker@nps.gov; Phone: (928) 524-6228 x262.

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Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona (USA) has openings this summer for paleontology educators (interpreters).

These positions (2-3) are open for interested students and involve acquiring experience with the geology and paleontology of the park through working with the park paleontologist and geologist in fossil prospecting, learning fossil collection techniques (including excavation), documenting new and historic localities, conducting basic geological mapping and stratigraphic work, learning fossil preparation, and becoming familiar with the role of the National Park Service in resource protection and resource interpretation. The exposures in the park are Late Triassic in age and contain early dinosaurs, labyrinthodont amphibians, and many crocodile-line archosaurs and well as numerous plants and freshwater invertebrates. Students will be required use this acquired paleontological and geological knowledge to work with park staff to develop interpretive (educational) programs and products for visitors. These positions will be instrumental in presenting new paleontological and geological research to park visitors.

These positions are based out of Petrified Forest National Park, which is 24 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona on Interstate 40. Park housing is available for rental by seasonal employees. Housing available for rent are shared three bedroom houses. Kitchen, bath, dining and living rooms are shared. Bedrooms may be shared. Houses are located at the park headquarters. Although not required, applicants are advised that a personal vehicle will greatly help accessing services such as groceries, doctors, and other amenities.

These are temporal seasonal (STEP) positions available only to enrolled students. Please note that these are salaried, full time (40 hours per week) positions. The base position is at the GS-5 grade ($14.74/hour), although less qualified students may be hired at a lower grade. Work starts in the beginning/middle of May 2009 and continues through August. Position start and end dates are flexible based on school schedules. All Federal salaried positions are dependent on the applicant passing a background check. Work cannot start until a successful background check has been completed. Proof of current enrollment in an accredited college or university (official or unofficial transcripts) is required.

Work is primarily performed outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and daily thunderstorms. Participants may be required to hike long distances in rough terrain in a hot, dry climate sometimes carrying heavy loads up to 60 pounds. Work requires long periods of bending, stooping, walking, climbing and working in cramped positions. Work is often performed in backcountry or wilderness areas of the park.

Applicants should have a background in paleontology or geology, a basic knowledge of fossil resources and their preservation, and have a working knowledge of computers. Familiarity with the paleontology, especially the paleobotany, of the Late Triassic is helpful but not necessary. Basic knowledge of GPS and GIS is also helpful but not required. Strong communications skills and a willingness/comfort level to address park visitors and groups is a must.

To apply send a current resume and the names and phone numbers of two references to: Bill Parker, Division of Resource Management, Petrified Forest National Park, PO Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028. Please state that you are interested in the paleontology-education position.

For more information regarding this position please contact Bill Parker at Petrified Forest National Park. E-mail: William_Parker@nps.gov; Phone: (928) 524-6228 x262.

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Grant Opportunity for Graduate Student Research in Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park
Graduate Research Grants in Natural and Social Sciences
Applications due April 1, 2009

Petrified Forest National Park is pleased to announce two (2) research grants available to graduate students in the natural and social sciences. The goal of this program is to encourage graduate research in National Parks and provide opportunities for graduate students to publish research in NPS and scholarly journals. Awards of up to $4,000 each are available for one (1) natural resource research project and one (1) cultural resource research project for resources available within Petrified Forest National Park. Field research must take place within Petrified Forest National Park’s administrative boundary and fieldwork must be completed by September
15, 2009. Delivery of final report is subject to the nature of the research, but is due within 18 months from the start of the project. Field based research projects are strongly encouraged, although archival projects utilizing existing collections will also rank highly. Research projects should address issues of interest to the larger scientific community, under- or seldom-studied resources, or new approaches and methods. Research projects that directly contribute to the applicant’s M.A., M.S., or Ph.D. research will be favored.

Petrified Forest National Park contains an abundance of natural and cultural resources including: the largest expanse of recovering short-grass prairie in the Colorado Plateau and associated fauna, reptiles, and one of the most diverse concentrations of birds in Northern Arizona, paleontological resources, historic resources, ethnographic resources, and archaeological resources. The park’s paleontological resources span the Late Triassic and include reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, petrified wood, and other plant fossils. The park’s cultural resources include archaeological remains from nearly every major time period from Paleoindian through Proto-historic periods, including Pueblo and Navajo materials, evidence of early Spanish explorers and missionaries, U.S. westward expansion in the 1800’s including the 35th parallel railroad route, Great Depression Era Civilian Conservation Corps works, and historic Route 66.

Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in an accredited M.A., M.S., or Ph.D. program with at least TWO full semester of course work completed by summer 2009.

Housing: Housing will be provided at no cost in apartments located on park or in Holbrook (location subject to availability).

Application: Short research proposals (4 pg max, 12pt, single spc.) should include the following:

• Title and category of proposal (Natural or Social Science)
• Contact information and university affiliation: applicant and graduate advisor
• Research Question / Statement of Issue
• Proposed Methodology & Scope of Work (include if collections are necessary)
• Broader impacts and public purpose.
• Proposed budget with justification

Application packets must also include:

• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Graduate & Undergraduate Transcripts (unofficial is OK)
• Letter of Support from graduate advisor or Department Chair.

Award: Award recipients will be announced May 1. Funds will be distributed in four (4) equal installments, three (3) throughout fieldwork, and one (1), 25% of the total project funds, withheld until submission of final report.

For more information contact:
Archaeologist, Jason Theuer: (928) 524-6228 ext. 268, Jason_Theuer@nps.gov
Paleontologist, William Parker: (928) 524-6228 ext. 262, William_Parker@nps.gov

Off to PEFO

This week I will be attending the Petrified Forest Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium. You can see a complete list of the talks and posters that will be presented here. I anticipate a lack of internet, so there will probably be a lack of postings till next week. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and report back on the meeting. Have a great week!


NPS photo

Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium

Next month Petrified Forest will be holding a Prep and Collections Symposium. Not only will it be a good place to learn some new things, it is darn cheap compared to other meetings, at only $65 a person (for all events and a copy of the symposium proceedings)! I am really looking forward to some informative talks and workshops, along with some fun, seeing friends, good food, and sun. Hope to see a few of you there perhaps! ~ ReBecca

A Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium will be held at Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona from April 10-12, 2008.

The symposium will include both invited and volunteered platform and poster presentations. Fossil preparators and collections professionals will present papers regarding care and preservation of fossil resources, to compliment a day of workshops and field trip through the park and collections facilities. Conference attendees will receive a copy of a proceedings volume, including papers generated by the meeting.


Petrified Forest National Park was established in 1906 to protect petrified wood and other fossils from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation in northeastern Arizona. These fossils have been researched for over 100 years resulting in the publication of hundreds of papers, forming a cornerstone for Late Triassic paleontological studies in North America.

Registration Fee: $65. Covers all events and includes a copy of proceedings volume.

Registration Form

Symposium Papers and Workshops:

Participants will have a choice of two of the following workshops:

• Introduction to molding and casting of museum objects
• Welding for mounted specimens and armatures
• Roundtable discussion on publication and building the preparation literature
• 3D visualization of collections using laser scanning equipment and software

Click here for a list of talks/posters

Conference Events

April 10	Paleontological Resources field trip
	Evening: Welcome Reception in Holbrook, Arizona
April 11	Preparation and Collections Symposium, Petrified Forest National Park
	Evening: BBQ Social, Petrified Forest National Park
April 12	Choice of Morning and Afternoon Workshops
	Evening: Dinner Reception, Holbrook, Arizona

For more information contact:

Matthew Brown
Fossil Preparator
Phone: 928-524-6228 ext. 281
or
William Parker
Park Paleontologist
Phone: 928-524-6228 ext. 262

Petrified Forest National Park
PO Box 2217
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Fax: 928-524-3567