Translocating California Red-legged Frogs – For the past five years, our team has translocated R. draytonii eggs from Baja California to southern California for in situ head-starting of tadpoles to reestablish populations within the species’ historical range. For the next three years, we plan to add new ponds at our current release sites to create functioning metapopulations. The incoming Postdoctoral Researcher will manage and analyze the data from this multi-year effort to create more uniform protocols and metrics to inform future actions.

Evaluating the Landscape for Establishing Populations – As our current release sites become established, we will evaluate the Southern California and Baja California landscape to expand our conservation actions. We plan to use genomic techniques to analyze the boundaries between the southern and northern genetic groups to determine the geographical extent for reintroductions. In addition, we will evaluate an array of potential sites for future reintroductions. Using the results from our first five years, the incoming Postdoctoral Researcher will help produce a conservation plan that includes restoration actions needed to create sites suitable to receive frogs.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with the Curator of Herpetology and our external partners to coordinate translocations, participate in field work, analyze data, and plan for the future growth of the project. The incoming candidate will also work collaboratively with our external partners, The Nat’s marketing department, and media outlets to promote team cohesion and publicly disseminate project results.

In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.

Annual compensation is $68,763.

The appointment will be made for three years contingent on satisfactory progress in year one.

This is a grant-funded full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15
paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

To apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter (1–2 pages), a research statement detailing current work and
research interests (1–2 pages), a curriculum vitae, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references.

Applications due by July 15, 2024.

Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is seeking a Report Writer to join the Department of PaleoServices. The Department of PaleoServices specializes in paleontological resource management, with a particular emphasis on mitigation paleontology. Our focus is on the recognition, recovery, and preservation of the significant and unique paleontological resources that occur in the greater southern California region. The activities of the Department of PaleoServices are helping to preserve significant fossil assemblages and are directly contributing to the growth of the important paleontological research collections at the Museum.

The Report Writer will produce a variety of technical reports (e.g., paleontological resource assessment technical reports, paleontological resource mitigation and treatment plans, and final paleontological mitigation reports) primarily associated with contracted paleontological mitigation work (e.g., mitigation of anticipated construction-related impacts resulting from residential and commercial development projects, public and private infrastructure projects, and energy generation and transmission projects). The various reports must be clearly and informatively written to convey the background, existing conditions, and findings of the paleontological assessment and/or mitigation work. Opportunities include paleontological field work in southern California and working with the extensive paleontological research collections of the San Diego Natural History Museum.

The Report Writer will collaborate closely with staff members of the Department of PaleoServices and our clients.

The Report Writer will be based at The Nat in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park and work under the supervision of the PaleoServices Senior Report Writer. There is some flexibility for remote work. The position may involve some travel within the greater southern California region.

• Prepare paleontological resource assessment technical reports, paleontological resource mitigation and treatment plans, and final paleontological mitigation reports in line with agency requirements and industry professional standards.
• Produce associated map figures and other report graphics.
• Complete field surveys and gather relevant field data (waypoints with fillable data fields/forms and photo attachments) for inclusion in paleontological resource assessment technical reports.
• Compile and review field data (field notes and photographs, geospatial data, annotated grading/shoring plans, and measured stratigraphic sections) to prepare fossil locality reports and locality data for entry into the SDNHM fossil collections database.
• Photograph fossil specimens and produce photo figures for inclusion in reports.
• Compile GIS data, which may include geologic mapping, paleontological sensitivity mapping, fossil localities, and survey waypoints.
• Communicate with clients to obtain project documents and provide status updates.
• Assist with preparation of proposal documents, as requested.
• Perform other functions for the museum, as appropriate.

• M.S. degree in Geology or Paleobiology or a closely related field, with relevant experience and coursework in sedimentary geology and/or paleontology, ideally focused on California and/or the southwestern United States. Past experience with paleontological/geological field work and/or paleontological mitigation is strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word and Excel) and Adobe Creative Cloud (Acrobat, Photoshop, and Illustrator).
• Experience with ArcGIS applications (ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, and ArcGIS Online) is preferred.
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating in a team environment and interfacing with clients.
• Ability to adhere to schedules, meet deadlines, and work within an allotted budget.

In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.

Annual compensation is $66,560.

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

Applicants should submit a cover letter (1-2 pages), curriculum vitae, a writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references.

Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org. Review of applications will begin on May 9th, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Preferred start date is June/July 2024.