Tag: trilobite

Seasonal Educator

Seasonal Educator

Penn Dixie

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Natural Reserve is a top-ranked destination for science enthusiasts of all ages! With a mission of hands-on science education, we encourage our visitors to learn about the natural world in an outdoor setting. Our programs emphasize natural history — including geology and paleontology, ecology, and astronomy. We serve 18,000 guests annually, including many who travel across the country to dig our fossils and explore our park.

Educators are the initial connection that visitors have with Penn Dixie. Educators are responsible for introducing Penn Dixie to guests, from admission to departure. The ideal candidate is driven to provide an outstanding learning experience for visitors of all abilities and backgrounds. Educators are expected to be friendly, helpful, and consistently maintain a positive attitude despite the challenge of working outdoors with large groups of visitors. Candidates do not need a formal background in geology or paleontology, but must be willing to learn.

Please note that this position is seasonal and part-time. Priority will be given to applicants who are available from April – September and are able to work at least 12 hours per week. This position pays $16.50 / hour.

Essential Functions

  • Provide tours for guests (various group sizes)
  • Demonstrate enthusiastic and welcome behavior at all times.
  • Greet guests, accept admissions, conduct introductions, guide guests throughout the site.
  • Monitor and enforce safety rules.
  • Ensures cleanliness and organization throughout the site, including, but not limited to, collecting, cleaning and sorting fossils, organizing gift shop merch, garbage pick up, light trail maintenance.
  • Provide excellent customer service and be knowledgeable in Penn Dixie’s science, history, and programming (training provided).
  • Explain and promote Penn Dixie programs, membership, gift shop merchandise, birthday parties, and special events.
  • Respond to guest needs immediately, including issues requiring first aid.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Documentation of U.S. citizenship or proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
  • Obtain criminal background check clearance.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including some weekends, holidays and evenings.
  • Knowledge or interest in science and / or education.
  • CPR and First Aid certifications (may be provided if employee is not currently certified)
  • Must have your own reliable transportation to/from work.

Experience, Skills and Personal Qualities Required

  • Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
  • Friendly, positive attitude
  • Comfortable speaking in front of groups
  • Exceptional customer service skills
  • Detail-oriented
  • Reliable and punctual
  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills

Physical Demands

  • Speaking in small and large groups
  • Walking and standing outdoors, sometimes for extended periods
  • Bending/stooping frequently
  • Dealing with highly variable weather conditions
  • Ability to lift/carry up to 40 lbs

To apply, send a resumé and cover letter to our Marketing and Development Coordinator, Matt Wheaton at matt@penndixie.org

Applications will be accepted through March 6th, 2024

Field Trips / Group Tours

Field Trips / Group Tours

Penn Dixie

Penn Dixie’s guided tours are led by our trained staff and volunteers who provide age-appropriate presentations on the history of planet Earth. Participants will learn about deep time, extinct life, Western New York’s environment during the Devonian Period and – of course- fossil collecting! Your group will experience earth science in a unique, hands-on, outdoor setting, so be sure to dress for the weather! All geological specimens found during field trips may be kept by participants. Our group tours typically last 2 hours, but can be adapted to shorter lengths to meet your group’s needs.

From mid April to late October, we welcome:

  • School groups (Pre K-12 through college)
  • Homeschool co-ops
  • Day care groups
  • Scout and youth organizations
  • Special needs groups
  • And more!

Our group tour rate is $10 / person. 1 free teacher/chaperone is included with every 10 participants, and additional adults are $10 each. For groups of 10 or less participants, a flat rate of $100 applies. Payment for group tours must be made in one transaction. We accept cash, card, and business checks.

Trips that are not booked by formal educational institutions (schools, colleges, etc.) are subject to a deposit of $100. The remainder of your trip’s balance is due before or on the day of your visit.

A covered picnic pavilion is available for use on most days for group’s to use for lunch. There is a $25 fee to reserve the picnic pavilion for a 30 minute lunch time. There are two large picnic tables & a number of backless benches underneath the pavilion, and there are more picnic tables located just outside the pavilion. We have hand sanitizer at the pavilion as well as a garbage can for trash – you do not need to pack out your group’s garbage. Penn Dixie staff remain with your group during lunch time. You must request use of the pavilion when submitting your booking request.

Any changes to your reservation, including final group numbers, must be made 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit. If your group cancels without giving 48 hours notice, we still will pursue payment for your scheduled trip. Notice of any changes or cancellation must be emailed to our Program Director at robin@penndixie.org. Any trips canceled by Penn Dixie will receive a full refund.

To book a group tour, please use the form below or call (716) 627-4560. Bookings must be requested 2+ weeks in advance.

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Membership Gift Pack

Membership Gift Pack

Penn Dixie

Give the gift of science!

Your lucky recipients will enjoy one year of Penn Dixie membership and all sorts of goodies for new and returning fossil hunters!

Membership Gift Packs are available with either Family ($109.99) or Individual ($59.99) membership certificates. Free shipping! Membership is not activated until application and gift certificates are redeemed. Certificates are redeemable upon first visit during seasonal park hours (May – September) or via mail.

Family Pack $109.99
Individual Pack $59.99

Includes:

  1. One year Family Membership – $90 value — with unlimited free admission for two adults and up to four children/grandchildren under age 18 -OR- Individual Membership – $40 value — with member benefits for one adult;
  2. Four Trilobite guest passes — $64 value;
  3. Trilobite bandana — $5 value;
  4. Penn Dixie sticker — $2.50 value;
  5. Amazing Arthropods gift box — $6 value;
  6. Two tool rental coupons — $20 value;
  7. Penn Dixie koozie  — $5 value;
  8. Trilobite patch — $3.50 value;
  9. One “Fossil Four Pack” grab bag containing Penn Dixie fossils — $5 value;
  10. One “Global Explorer” grab bag containing fossils from around the world (shark teeth, dinosaur bone pieces, oysters, Moroccan sea snails) — $5 value;
  11. Penn Dixie eNews updates & digital newsletter subscription; and
  12. Savings on special events and in our gift shop.

You’ll receive all of these items — over $200 value — inside a custom-designed, locally screened artisan box that features paleoart by Ernst Haeckel and is perfect for storing your fossil collection. Please note that the contents of our gift packs periodically change! The list above is what is currently in our gift packs.

Surprise a friend or treat yourself!

Dig In!

Dig In!

Penn Dixie

Attention teachers, activities directors, program coordinators, scout leaders, and more! Are you looking for some fossil fun during the colder months? Let us bring Penn Dixie to you with our newest outreach program, Dig In! 

Participants become paleontologists as they dig through material from Penn Dixie and learn about Buffalo’s prehistoric past! During this outreach program, a Penn Dixie educator facilitates the hands-on exploration of WNY’s ancient environment while discussing the animals that lived in our area 380 million years ago during the Devonian Period. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of fossils and fossilization.

Dig In can be catered to explorers of all ages and abilities, but is recommended for ages 5+.    

After the program is over, you keep the reusable dig boxes full of rocks and fossils, along with teaching materials, so that you can recreate the fossil fun for years to come! 

Program capacity: 

Dig In can be booked for up to 32 participants at a time. If your group size is larger than 32 people, you will need to book an additional program(s). One dig box is suitable for up to four people. Dig box dimensions: 5 inches high, 8.25 inches wide, 13.5 inches long. 

Pricing:

  • For groups of 16 participants or less: $200 (Plus mileage)
  • For groups of 17 – 32 participants: $250 (Plus mileage)
  • For evening programs with a start time of 5 pm or later, an additional $25 charge will be added.

Includes:

  • 1 hour program with a Penn Dixie educator
  • Reusable dig boxes (with shale and fossils)
  • Replacement fossils
  • “Free Child Admission with Purchase of Adult Admission” coupons (optional)
  • All of the teaching materials needed so that you can recreate Dig In again and again!

Use the form below to request this program! You can also call 716-627-4560, with questions or to book.

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Free Admission on October 10th!

Free Admission on October 10th!

Penn Dixie

In recognition of Indigenous People’s Day, we are offering free admission on Monday, October 10th! The park opens 9 am and closes at 4:30 pm, final entry is at 2:45 pm. The first tour of the day departs at 9:15 am, with tours running every 30 minutes until the final tour at 2:45 pm.

We provide complimentary buckets and trowels to use while fossil hunting, as well as small bags to bring your fossils home in. Many of our visitors solely use a bucket and trowel if they’re planning to surface collect. We have a limited number of tool rentals available for $5 per set. Tools are rented on a first come, first served basis. Each set includes a small sledge hammer, a geologist’s hammer, chisel, safety goggles, knee pad, and bucket.

Registration is not required, but if you would like to guarantee a specific tour time, you can pre-register online.

Pre-Register Here