Natural Resource Manager, Restoration Ecologist

~ The purpose of the Forest Preserve District's Land Management Program is to preserve the diversity of native flora and fauna through the protection, maintenance, restoration, or reconstruction of native ecosystem types. ~

Most conservationists recognize that protecting ecosystems by acquiring land that would otherwise be developed or used for other human needs is not enough. Some form of management is necessary to maintain the natural features that make a preserve worth protecting in the first place.

This is accomplished by seeking to maintain or restore processes that historically influenced the extent, structure, and species composition of natural communities prior to settlement, or through the use of currently accepted practices that best approximate these processes.

We seek to sustain biodiversity at various District preserves through the use of policy, process, and procedure that are based on sound tenets of conservation biology and accepted management practices.

Ultimately, land managers must answer two questions: 

1. Which natural features are the most significant to protect; and
2. What type(s) of activities are necessary in order to maintain and sustain these features over time?

Position Overview

The Natural Resource Manager, Restoration Ecologist contributes to the day to day planning and implementation of District Natural Area Restoration projects, with an emphasis on flora and natural communities.

Organizational Relationships:

Reports to:

• Restoration Program Coordinator

Supervises:

• None
• This position will require occasional coordination of Resource Management Crew and Operations Department staff

Responsibilities

• Prepare and implement site restoration and management plans for natural and degraded ecosystems at the direction of the Restoration Program Coordinator or Natural Resource Management Supervisor.
• Contribute to the development of annual work plans, schedules, summaries and reports, some requiring other agency sign off.
• Assist with the annual budget preparation process and expense tracking.
• Develop grant proposals and administrate grant projects to ensure compliance.
• Secure and manage contractual services according to established policies and procedures.
• Participate in the implementation of the District’s prescribed fire management program with the ability to function as Crew Boss.
• Assist in completing environmental reviews on proposed land use and development within or adjacent to preserves.
• Contribute to baseline site inventories, implementation of monitoring programs, and data management systems to evaluate the effectiveness of various restoration and management programs.
• Coordinate with resource management crew and other resource management staff to implement tasks identified in annual management schedules.
• Represent the District and/or Natural Resource Management section in various inter- or intra-agency teams, meetings and working groups as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or director.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have knowledge of Midwest natural communities, native and non-native plant species identification, natural area restoration techniques, ecology and conservation biology principles.
• Must have technical skills to perform surveys, data collection and analysis, and report preparation.
• Must effectively communicate, written and oral, with a variety of professional staff, consultants and volunteers.
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheet and database) and ArcGIS mapping software.
• Must possess or attain a valid Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s license.
• Must possess and maintain a current and valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Training and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in environmental science, ecology, natural resource management or related field.

Experience:

• 5 years related experience in natural areas restoration and management planning and implementation preferred.
• 3 years related experience participating in prescribed fire varying in size and complexity preferred.

Certifications:

• Possession of, or willingness to procure course work in prescribed fire management and behavior: National Wildfire Coordinating Group S130/190 (S290 and S390 preferred) or Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription Fire Crew Member training.

Compensation

• Pay Range: Grade 10
• Minimum: $45,231
• Midpoint: $56,539
• Maximum: $67,846
• Schedule: Full Time

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload a cover letter describing interest and a resume to: Donna Suca, Human Resource Supervisor Forest Preserve District of Will County.
• Resumes will be accepted until January 11, 2019.