Orange County Parks, California https://www.ocparks.com/
ARCHAEOLOGY & PALEONTOLOGY PREPARATION SPECIALIST
(STAFF SPECIALIST)
SALARY INFORMATION
In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:
Effective June 28, 2024 – 4.25% increase
Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Archaeology & Paleontology Preparation Specialist (Staff Specialist) vacancies within the OC Community Resources/OC Parks. The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Monday, December 18, 2023 at 11:59 PM (PT).
THE COUNTY
The County of Orange is a regional service provider and planning agency whose core businesses include public safety, public health, environmental protection, regional planning, public assistance, social services and aviation.
OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES (OCCR)
OC Community Resources is a multi-faceted department comprised of OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Housing & Community Development, OC Parks, and OC Public Libraries.
OC PARKS
OC Parks encompasses regional, wilderness and historical facilities, as well as coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California. Featuring 60,000 acres of parkland, open space and shoreline, Orange County’s award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves.
COOPER LABORATORY
The Cooper Laboratory is a curation and preparation facility for Orange County’s artifacts and fossils. The lab is named after Dr. John D. Cooper, a professor emeritus of geological sciences at California State University, Fullerton, who was instrumental in creating this facility for the County of Orange Paleontological and Archaeological collections. An advocate for the collection since the early 1970s, he obtained a grant that established a curatorial framework in 1999 and volunteered his time after the funding ended until he passed away in September 2007. His legacy continues with ongoing work to curate and research the collections, as well as share their world-class riches with the people of Orange County.
CLARK REGIONAL PARK’S INTERPRETIVE CENTER
The Clark Regional Park Interpretive Center highlights the County’s unique and extensive artifact and fossil collection.
Visitors of all ages benefit from the enjoyment and educational opportunities afforded by the Interpretive Center’s exhibits, displays, and fishbowl lab where volunteers prepare collections. The Center engages the Orange County public, offering them an understanding of the fascinating histories of where they live, encouraging curiosity, increasing intellectual strength, and demonstrating the work of archaeologists and paleontologists to inspire these as career paths.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Archaeology & Paleontology Preparation Specialist reports to the Archaeology and Paleontology Operations Manager. The incumbent will be responsible for the supervision of Orange County’s archaeological and paleontological preparation and volunteer operations at the Cooper Lab and Clark Regional Park’s Interpretive Center and for the implementation of projects under the direction of the Archaeology and Paleontology Curators. The incumbent will research, analyze, and implement industry best practices to prepare artifacts, fossils, and other specimens or materials for identification, curation, research, display, and storage.
The Archaeology & Paleontology Preparation Specialists’ duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provide analysis and recommendations for the prioritization of archaeology and paleontology projects including processing midden, floating soil samples, matrix removal, screening, micro sorting, acid preparation, mechanically or chemically stabilizing specimens, collection rehousing and organization, and related lab duties as assigned
- Supervise volunteers and interns and ensure they follow project-specific procedures and laboratory best practices
- Track chemical and mechanical treatments as well as housing materials used on artifacts and fossils
- Fabricate custom supports for artifacts and fossils, such as gravity mounts, clamshell jacket, and other supports
- Produce replicas of artifacts and fossils in the form of 3D scans and prints as well as molds and casts for collections database and educational outreach
- Digitize and organize reports, field notes, journals, maps, and other pertinent data
- Organize lab equipment, maintain inventory of existing lab tools and materials, and make recommendations for additional tools and materials as needed
- Work closely with the archaeology and paleontology curatorial staff for daily operations, project prioritization, space utilization, and procedures
Paleontology
The paleontology collection includes local Orange County fossils dating as far back as the Jurassic period 180 million years ago, including notable type specimens. Orange County has particularly excellent records of Eocene terrestrial mammals, late Oligocene-early Miocene terrestrial mammals, and Miocene-Pliocene marine mammals. The collection contains ancient mammals including whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions as well as numerous invertebrate and plant species. The land animals include horses, mastodons, mammoths, ground sloths, American lions, and other megafauna from the Pleistocene. Although rare, the collection also has a few dinosaur specimens.
Archaeology
The archaeology collection represents the largest assemblage of archaeological materials relating to the peopling of Orange County with more than three million artifacts and ecofacts with accompanying notes, maps and photos. Artifacts in the collection consist of stone, shell, animal bone, plant and historic objects that were used for food, tools, and ornamentation. These artifacts represent the material culture of the people who have populated Orange County for more than 10,000 years, inhabiting ancient villages, fishing areas, milling sites, Rancherias, and homesteads.
Project Management
- Coordinate closely with archaeology and paleontology curation staff for daily operations and work prioritization, balancing management of projects in both archaeology and paleontology
- Train volunteers and interns in laboratory procedures, equipment and tool use, and safety standards
- Assign tasks based up on project prioritization and volunteer/intern skill level
- Research and analyze trainings and provide recommendations for volunteers, interns, and staff
- Recruit new volunteers and interns through outreach efforts
- Perform quality control checks of preparation work done by contractors
- Track the preventative maintenance status of objects in the collection
- Monitor and provide updates for condition assessments of artifacts and fossils
Administration
- Schedule volunteers and provide communication updates related to lab operations
- Maintain calendar and track volunteer schedules, projects, and assignments
- Prepare projects for volunteers in advance in collaboration with curatorial staff
- Submit volunteer and intern hours and project progress summaries to Archaeology & Paleontology Operations Manager for inclusion in bi-weekly and annual reporting
- Report volunteer and intern hours in OC Parks volunteer portal
- Document all preparation activities
- Write or revise job safety analysis for lab tasks
- Record and track climate data in collections spaces
- Track and report project progress in the lab and volunteer hours
- Track lab equipment condition, perform minor maintenance and upkeep on lab tools, and coordinate with appropriate departments or contractors for major repairs
- Track the transfer of projects between the Clark Park Fishbowl Lab and the Cooper Lab
- Provide input on laboratory needs for annual budget
Office Management
- Maintain inventory of existing lab tools and materials
- Order lab materials and equipment as needed to ensure continued workflow
- Schedule maintenance of lab equipment as needed
- Work with other staff to coordinate facilities maintenance as needed
- Coordinate office supply and standing contract purchasing requests
- Serve as a custodian of petty cash
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess (3) three years of professional work experience preparing artifacts, fossils, and other specimens related to archaeological, paleontological, historical, geological, or related collections, and leadership or supervisory experience with volunteers and/or interns.
A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Anthropology, Archeology, Paleontology, Geology, History, Museum Studies or related field is highly desirable.
The ideal candidate will also demonstrate extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:
Technical Experience | Archaeological/Paleontological Preparation Lab Management
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Anthropology, Archaeology, Paleontology, Geology, History, Museum Studies or other related field
- Applying knowledge of archaeological artifact and paleontological fossil preparation and preservation concepts, guidelines, and professional standards
- Applying knowledge of equipment and materials needed to properly prepare artifacts, fossils, specimens, and other natural and historical materials
- Analyzing best practices for preparation, storage, and handling of archaeology/paleontology collections
Research & Analysis
- Researching tools, techniques, and materials used for handling, preparation, and storage of artifacts and fossils and providing analysis to the Archaeological or Paleontological Curator to develop strategies and priorities for preparation, in keeping with the vision, mission and goals of OC Parks
- Synthesizing information from trainings and research to develop repeatable tests to determine appropriate treatments and materials for use with specific artifacts and fossils
- Analyzing, investigating, and compiling up-to-date information from various sources and in various formats
- Providing feedback and improvements to Collections Management plans and timelines based on project progress while providing updates
Interpersonal Communication | Relationship Building
- Demonstrating skill and ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders
- Coordinating and communicating regularly with others in response to multiple, competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner and that all staff are adequately informed about ongoing projects
- Allocating time between archaeology and paleontology equally and efficiently to ensure all work is completed in a timely manner
- Liaising with organizations and individuals on achieving common goals
- Maintaining a professional and respectful work environment
Oral & Written Communication
- Preparing and conduct presentations clearly and effectively
- Providing work-in-progress status updates proactively and informing others when work is completed
- Preparing and presenting written reports and recommendations concisely, logically and convincingly
- Ensuring timely, appropriate communication with stakeholders and communicate professionally in challenging situations
- Assisting curatorial staff with development of written procedures for preparation tasks
- Working as a team member with a positive, forward focused attitude
Organization & Planning
- Coordinating with others in response to multiple, competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner
- Maintaining a high level of energy and commitment to manage multiple tasks and priorities, and using available resources to get more done with less
- Setting high standards for quality work and responsiveness in providing administrative services
- Adjusting priorities to respond to pressing and changing demands
Leadership | Supervision
- Providing volunteers guidance of archeological and paleontological preparation
- Supervising the work of volunteers to ensure adherence to quality standards and proper procedures
- Leading or supervising volunteers and/or interns with tasks such as recruiting, training, etc.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here to view the minimum qualifications for Staff Specialist.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate’s rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate’s qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on to the eligible list.
Based on the Department’s needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Veterans Employment PreferenceThe County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with “governmentjobs.com” and “ocgov.com.” If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rula Dabit at 714-480-2884 or by email at Rula.Dabit@occr.ocgov.com.
Apply here: Job Opportunities | County of Orange Careers (governmentjobs.com)