Illinois River Project Office Restoration Technician

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Illinois River Restoration Technician assists in restoration, operations, maintenance and management of wetlands, prairie, woodlands, visitor-use amenities and other facilities on approximately 7,800 acres of nature preserves near Lewistown, IL. The Technician position provides opportunities to learn about plants and animals and natural areas management with an emphasis on ecological restoration including interesting, educational, and challenging outside work.

Responsibilities & Scope:

• Works under close or infrequent supervision.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult or hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
• May interact with visitors.

This is a full-time (average 35 hours per week), short-term position with an hourly rate of $16.00, starting early May and ending mid-August with possible extension through fall. The team’s working hours are generally Monday through Thursday 7:30am to 4:45pm but may vary due to weather. The position is located at The Illinois River Project Office at Emiquon near Lewistown, IL.

There are multiple positions available.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois is seeking Technicians to help manage and restore wetlands at the Illinois River Project Office. The Technician assists with restoration and maintenance of nature preserves and facilities including areas frequented by the visiting public. Activities include control of invasive species; timber stand improvement; maintenance of staff and public use areas and facilities; and assisting with public events and scientific research and monitoring.

The Technician also maintains and operates tools and equipment.

The primary work location will be at Emiquon near Lewistown, IL, though there may be opportunities to commute an hour south to work at the Merwin Preserve at Spunky Bottoms, a 1,300 acre wetland restoration along the Illinois River in Brown County, IL.

• High school diploma or GED and 6 months of related experience
• Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, boating license, herbicide or pesticide application, Moderate pack walk test of 24 pounds for two miles under 30 minutes).

• Course work in biology, especially field-related subjects such as plant and animal identification and ecology.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members, and ability to work productively and efficiently both independently and in a team environment.
• Training and/or experience with restoration and stewardship of natural areas.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered high risk drivers. To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, the Auto Safety information page is available during the recruitment process. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay for a candidate selected for this position is $16.00 per hour (subject to required tax withholding). This range applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Actual pay will be based on factors including location, qualifications, skills, and experience. Countries outside the USA may have different pay ranges in local currency. Geographic location will be confirmed during recruitment.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground…