SEASONAL POSITION – MUSEUM PALEONTOLOGY ASSISTANT

As part of its summer programming, Dickinson Museum Center is seeking a seasonal paleontology assistant for the 2023 summer tourist season, starting in mid-late May or early June (flexible), and lasting up to 12 weeks. This will be a Full-Time position during the duration, working 40 hours a week.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The seasonal paleontologist is a position that combines education & outreach, exhibit interpretation, and work in the preparation laboratory. The amount of time dedicated to each responsibility will depend on the ability and experience of the applicant.

About Badlands Dinosaur Museum:
Badlands Dinosaur Museum is a growing institution located on the 12 acre campus of Dickinson Museum Center in Dickinson, ND. The museum was founded in 1992 by Alice and Larry League and operated as Dakota Dinosaur Museum until 2015 whereupon it was acquired by the City of Dickinson. In 2016, Dr. Denver Fowler was hired as curator of paleontology and the museum was renamed as Badlands Dinosaur Museum in 2017.

Badlands Dinosaur Museum is undergoing a complete overhaul of the facility, exhibits, and programming. New fossil specimens are being collected by our fieldwork program that are prepared in our public viewing laboratory, which has a sliding window to allow visitors to ask questions. Fossil storage facilities have been upgraded to meet standards for a federal repository. Our evolving exhibit features new displays each year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties:
·         Assists in design of outreach and educational activities in paleontology that utilize the exhibit and education collection. May involve visiting groups or buildings outside of the museum campus.
·         Implements outreach and educational programming in paleontology aimed at local population and regional summer tourism.
·         Will offer interpretive assistance in the paleontology exhibit hall: answering visitor questions, giving short tours, and explaining exhibit content and core scientific concepts in paleontology.
·         Assists in the public preparation laboratory in preparing specimens for exhibit and research.
·         Provide general assistance to the curator, educator/collections manager, and laboratory fossil preparator.
·         Assists in outreach, special events, and donor development.
·         Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:​
·         Enrollment in a post-secondary educational program in a subject appropriate to Paleontology (e.g. Biology, Geology), or equivalent experience in a museum or education setting.
·         Good general knowledge of paleontology, including being able to discuss core concepts with visitors and answer typical questions.
·         Comfortable with public speaking in front of small groups and larger audiences.
·         Willing and able to engage visitors in a friendly and approachable demeanor.
·         Happy to work with children and families.
·         Basic familiarity with fossil preparation methods.
·         Ability to work independently on outreach & education and other fossil projects.
·         Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds.
·         Knowledge of appropriate specimen handling protocol.
·         Demonstrable interest and knowledge of museums and their role in society.
·         Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
·         Valid driver’s license.

Additional desirable skills/experience:

• Prior experience in outreach and education.
• Prior experience with children and families.
• Prior experience in a museum setting.
• Knowledge of anatomy, especially dinosaurs.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Some responsibilities will include working with rocky, dusty, or dirty fossils; using plaster of paris, various glues, and paint; spending long periods standing.