Resource Ecologist

~ Schlitz Audubon Nature Center conserves our land’s diverse habitats on Lake Michigan and provides meaningful experiences and environmental education for all. Located nine miles north of downtown Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan, the Center offers six miles of trails that take visitors through 185 unique acres of forests, wetlands, restored prairies, ravines, bluffs and a shoreline beach. ~

Annually, Schlitz Audubon serves over 145,000 visitors and nearly 27,000 children who participate in our nature science programs. Over 140 preschoolers are enrolled throughout the school year in our nationally recognized preschool. In addition, thousands of adults and families attend our educational programs year round. The Center building received the first Gold LEED certification award in the State of Wisconsin.

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Director of Conservation, the Resource Ecologist performs a wide variety of duties related to the ecological management of the Center lands.  This is a regular full-time position working 40 hours/week, Monday – Friday and occasional Saturdays.

Responsibilities

• Trains, coordinates and supervises staff, volunteers and interns in the performance of ecological restoration, and land management activities
• Operates track loaders, UTVs, chainsaws, brush saws, pesticide application equipment, and other equipment needed to achieve the land management goals of the Center
• Performs tree felling and wood chipping and processing
• Develops and implements native planting projects
• Applies the principles of IPM to the control of invasive and undesirable species
• Assists in the refinement of land management plans
• Assists in all aspects of the prescribed burning program
• Assesses ecological impacts of the Center’s projects and activities
• Maintains records of plant and animal distributions
• Performs scientific research, data analysis, and reporting
• Schedule ecological management activities, maintains records of management activities, and updates project schedules
• Identify and remove hazard trees
• Works with the Director of Conservation to identify and prioritize land management needs
• Supports the activities of staff, volunteers and outside agencies on Center lands
• Trains and coordinates the work of staff, volunteers and interns
• Provides necessary information to ensure effective ecological management of natural areas and target species by staff, contractors, interns, and volunteers
• Monitors results of ecological restoration projects to document progress and improve strategies
• Writes or assists in writing of grant proposals
• Uses GPS and GIS technology to generate natural community maps, record management activities, and delineate important natural features
• Generates and reviews recommended seed and transplant lists for restoration projects

Qualifications

• Must possess an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, forest resource management, biology, ecology, natural resources, conservation/environmental science, forestry, forest ecology, or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university and (2) two or more years of professional work experience in ecological land management with experience as a tree faller using power chain saws
• Must possess a certificate of completion of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group course work S130/S190 or will obtain within 10 months of employment
• Must possess a current Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator’s License or will obtain within 10 months of employment. Must possess a current valid driver’s license

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a cover letter and resume to hiring manager, Marc White, with Resource Ecologist in the subject line.

~ Schlitz Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) ~