Stewardship Technician

~ For 60 years, the Natural Land Institute (NLI) has helped residents of northern Illinois conserve the land they cherish. We are one of the oldest private conservation groups in the Midwest. ~

We are a member supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and natural diversity for future generations. Since 1958, NLI has protected, managed, and restored more than 17,300 acres throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin. These include prairies, forests, wetlands, and river corridors.

Serving as a regional land trust, the Institute accepts donations of properties, buys lands, manages natural areas, and helps landowners establish legal agreements that permanently limit harmful use and development.

Position Overview

Objective:

The Stewardship Technician will assist with natural resource management on lands owned by the Natural Land Institute across northwest Illinois, in order to support and uphold the Mission. Headquarters are at Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Roc kton Rd., Rockton, IL. The selected candidate will report to the Director of Stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Assist with restoration, including invasive species control, native seed collecting and processing, native plantings, as well as plant propagati on/ cultivation in the greenhouse;
• Perform handling of herbicides and mechanical equipment in an effort to control exotic and invasive species;
• Annual site monitoring of and reports for fee owned lands and conservation easements on natural resource management projects at NLI properties.
• Work with volunteers at NLI properties, and input all site based activities on LANDSCAPE program .
• Maintain monthly activity reports and daily timesheets detailing accomplishments and keeping neat and accurate records; and
• Operate power tools and motor vehicles.

Qualifications

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of Illinois flora and fauna, especially in northwestern Illinois;
• Candidate should hold or be seeking a degree in natural resources management or a closely related field, but significant field experiences may be substituted;
• Prescribed Burn training such as the Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Training or the US Forest Service S 130/190;
• Ability to use and experience with equipment needed in restoration activities, including tractors; and
• UTVs, pumps, chainsaws, clearing saws, etc.

Note: This position requires possession of an Illinois driver’s license and willingness to acquire an Illinois to acquire an Illinois Department of Agriculture Department of Agriculture Pesticide Pesticide Operators. Operators licenselicense within two months of employmentwithin two months of employment, and the, and the ability to physically implement natural resource management tasksability to physically implement natural resource management tasks..

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below send completed resume, cover letter, and three reference to the attention of Zach Grycan, Director of Stewardship no later than August 21, 2019.