Please note: the closing date was incorrectly posted as Feb 10, it is actually Feb 20.
Summer Internship
Length: May – September
The Montana Dinosaur Center is pleased to announce that we are now hiring for our summer internship program! This is an entry level position with an emphasis on paleontological field work and public communication. The goal of this program is to grant potential hires the opportunity to gain experience in the various aspects of paleontology. While the focus is on science communication and fossil excavation, interns will also have the opportunity to involve themselves in the full process from when a fossil is discovered on the surface, to when it is out on display.
About Us
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 30 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 similarly aged Judith River Formation to the east. Our current primary dig site is a multitaxa bonebed within the later years of the Two Medicine.
Duties
Daily activities vary, but primary duties consist of 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. In addition, hires will be expected to aid in museum operations such as overseeing museum visitor and retail services, and serving as a docent in the museum’s gallery.
On Site Training
Training will be provided to ensure successful applicants are prepared for the job required of them. This includes training in:
- Field Work:
- Learning how to prospect for fossils eroding out along the surface
- Learning how to distinguish fossil bone from surrounding rock
- Learning how to properly excavate and extract fossils from a dig-site
- Learning how to record the data necessary for future research such as journaling, mapping methods, and three dimensional scanning
- Museum operations and Science communication:
- Learning how to give tours of the museum gallery
- Learning about the local history, specifically the formations exposed in the nearby area along with general peleontological information.
- Learning how to oversee the museum front desk
- Learning how to educate guests on any of the above
- Lab Work (as available)
- Learning how to prepare fossils extracted from our dig sites
- Learning how to prepare consolidants for fossil preservation
- Learning how to document, catalogue, and house fossils.
Qualifications
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 40 lbs. unaided
- Able to walk up to three miles per day on uneven terrain
- Comfortable with speaking and teaching all age groups
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Willingness to work with guests from a wide variety of backgrounds
- Willingness to work and live with other staff and volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds
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
Additional information
Interns receive a monthly stipend of $1,000 and private on-site housing in a furnished camper trailer. Interns also have access to the museum’s private staff bathroom and shower, laundry, a shared kitchen space, office and workspace areas, and limited use of museum vehicles for work-related supply runs and scheduled errands. Non-cash benefits conservatively valued at approximately $1,200–$1,600 per month.
- 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
Application Documents Required
- Current resume or curricula vitae
- Three letters of reference (emailed to [email protected])
- Completed application
- Portfolio of previous work (i.e. field notes, prep projects, list of relevant classes, etc.) (optional)
Positions are open until February 20 or all positions have been filled