Earth Science (Oceanography and Geology) Opening at Mt. San Antonio College

Past-president Mark Boryta has notified us of a full-time position at Mt. San Antonio College in Earth Science (Oceanography and Geology). The application period ends on March 1, 2012. Full information can be found here, and is reproduced below the fold.

If you have any openings at your institution, please notify us and we will post it on the Far Western Section blog.

Cal Paleo on April 14 at UC Riverside

From Cal Paleo...

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to announce that this year’s Cal Paleo will be held at UC Riverside on Saturday, April 14^th, 2012. We encourage you to attend and take part in this California paleontological tradition!

The focus of the conference will be on student research: graduate students are invited to give oral or poster presentations and undergraduate students are encouraged to participate through poster presentations (though, subject to availability and advisor request, undergraduates may also give talks). The time allotted for each oral presentation will be 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of speakers.

The deadline for abstract submission is March 1^st, 2012. Registration will close on March 21^st, 2012. There is no registration fee. Additionally, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on the day of the conference. We will shortly supply further details concerning registration, abstract publication, accommodation and possible Sunday, April 15^th activities.

An informational website will be up shortly. An abstract template has been attached to this email and a formal registration form will be sent out soon as well. In the meantime, in order to help us gauge numbers and plan accordingly, please reply as to your interest in attending Cal Paleo: “definitely,” “maybe” or “no.” Also let us know if you wish to be removed from the Cal Paleo mailing list to avoid receiving further emails.

Please direct all email correspondence to calpaleo1@gmail.com.

We hope very much to see you all on April 14^th!

Ryan McKenzie (neil.mckenzie at email.ucr.edu)
Lidya Tarhan (lidya.tarhan at email.ucr.edu)

Paleobiology Program

Department of Earth Sciences

University of California, Riverside

Exploring the Mojave Desert with the Far Western Section: Spring Meeting, March 2-4

The spring meeting of the Far Western Section of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers will take place on March 2-4, 2012 at the Desert Studies Center in Zzyzx, California. We appreciate the work that El Camino College is doing to organize the meeting. Field trips will explore the mining history, geologic history, and volcanism of the Mojave Desert, the Quaternary landscape and distribution of biota, and the lava tubes of Pisgah Crater. More information and registration forms can be found on the Far Western Section website at http://nagt-fws.org/conferences.html.

From the conference organizers:

Zzyzx (which is pronounced zy-zicks with emphasis on the "zy") has a colorful history of its own and once was a resort which featured mineral springs and mud baths, and was renowned as a health resort. Some of these facilities are partially preserved and make for wonderful photographic opportunities with the background of Soda Dry Lake. Today, the California State University system has established a consortium which administers the Desert Studies Center, facilitates research in a variety of disciplines, and aids the preservation of the endangered Mohave tui chub.

Baker, California is located 11 miles to the north east from the Desert Studies Center and has a variety of motels, restaurants, gas stations, and other facilities, some of which are quite unique. “Home of the World's Tallest Thermometer” is Baker's claim to fame and the height of the thermometer at 134 feet or 41 meters was selected when the community recorded the highest temperature ever recorded in the United States (in Death Valley) at 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913. However, it is also a gateway to Death Valley and other scenic areas of the the Mohave Desert. Many travelers come to know Baker as they fill their gas tanks during their excursions to and from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Baker is approximately 177 miles or 285 kilometers north east of Los Angeles. Las Vegas, Nevada is located about 88 miles or 142 kilometers to the north east of Baker.

The Desert Studies Center has a meeting room, an area for social gatherings and poster sessions, audio visual capabilities with wireless internet, dormitory facilities (advanced registration required and individuals bring their own bedding or sleeping bag), shower facilities, a chef who will prepare the hot breakfasts, dinners and packaged lunches, a store which features items related to Zzyzx, wonderful star gazing opportunities (clear skies permitting), and a wonderful view of Soda Dry Lake, the California Fan Palms and the Chub Pond. All of the field trips will leave from the Desert Studies Center.

Full-Time Tenure Track Geology Teaching Position at Santa Barbara City College

It's something to think about...two retirees with about 80 years of geology experience between them. That's the story at Santa Barbara City College this year. I noted a few weeks ago that a geology technician position was available at SBCC (application deadline is December 30). Now they have announced an opening for a full-time tenure-track position for a geology instructor. The department at SBCC has a strong tradition of field instruction, excellence in teaching, and community involvement. I deeply appreciated the four years I spent with the department in the 1980's. Deadline for the teaching position is February 3. Details of the position can be found at this link, and are listed below the fold...

The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program for 2012

From the GSA Education Division:

GSA is pleased to announce that Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with GSA, has funded a scholarship program to encourage minority undergraduate GSA student members to continue their studies in the geosciences. The Subaru Minority Student Scholarship Program provides US $1,500 to one student at an accredited university or college in each of the seven GSA Sections as nominated by the GSA Campus Representatives. The funds are to be used to purchase text books, pay college fees, or attend GSA field trips or conferences.

In addition to the cash award, a complimentary student membership for 2013 will be granted. Meeting registration for this year’s GSA Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina will also be provided where a student awards reception will be held.

We are asking our Campus Reps to nominate one (1) minority student whom they believe will benefit and be encouraged to continue their studies in the geosciences by receiving this award.

Student Requirements for Nomination:
• Be a U.S. citizen and a member of a minority group (a ‘minority’ is described by the U.S. Census Bureau as being of Hispanic or Latino, African-American or Black, Asian, American-Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander ethnicity/race);

• Has taken at least two (2) introductory (first year) geoscience courses;

• Be enrolled in additional geoscience courses in the upcoming academic year; and

• Be a current undergraduate student member of GSA. Students who cannot afford the cost of membership may apply for a dues waiver through the membership assistance program.

Campus Rep Responsibilities and Timeline:

• Verify with the student that he/she is a member of a minority group as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau;

• Verify that the student has completed two introductory geoscience courses and is enrolled in geosciences classes for the upcoming academic year;

• Complete and return the nomination form (from GSA Campus Representatives) via email to awards@geosociety.org no later than 9 April 2012;

• Nominations will be forwarded to the GSA Diversity in the Geosciences Committee for review; and

• All awards will be announced by 1 June 2012.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity for your minority undergraduate students to be sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Diane Lorenz-Olsen
Grants, Awards, and Recognition
The Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO USA 80301
awards@geosociety.org
(303) 357-1028

Paid Geoscientist Opportunities on National Parks, National Forests, and BLM Lands

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah

GeoCorps America is a program of the Geological Society of America , in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service. The program offers paid short-term geoscience positions in some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world. GeoCorps project areas include geology, hydrology, paleontology, mapping and GIS, minerals, soils, glaciology, geo-hazards, karst, education, interpretation, and more.

Spring/summer 2012 positions have been posted, and candidates may begin applying now! Additional positions will be posted over the next week. The 2012 positions include more Guest Scientist positions and GeoCorps Diversity Internships than in 2011, and will soon feature positions with the State of California Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program.

For more information, click here: http://rock.geosociety.org/g_corps/index.htm

Earth and Planetary Science Lab/Field Tech Position at Santa Barbara City College

There have not been many openings posted for geology/earth science positions in the California Community College system in the last few months, but an interesting one just crossed my desk, for an Earth Science Laboratory and Field Technician post at Santa Barbara City College. SBCC is a nice place to work (I was there from 1984-88), and their earth science program is excellent. If you are a jack-of-all-trades in the geological sciences, and enjoy organizing and conducting field and lab studies, this position is worth your attention. Application deadline is December 30, so act fast. Official information can be found here, while a more detailed description can be found beneath the jump...