Field Biologist

Objective: To 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. Rockton Rd., Rockton, IL. The selected candidate will report directly to the Director of Stewardship.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with restoration and land management activities, including invasive species control, native seed collecting and processing, prescribed burning, and native plantings, which may include plant propagation/cultivation.
• Perform safe 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 with reports done in LANDSCAPE program.
• Share responsibility to organize work and oversee tasks for stewardship’s seasonal employees.
• Work with volunteers on natural resource management projects and workdays at NLI properties.
• Conduct ecological inventories and develop database(s) of flora and fauna at NLI properties.
• Maintain monthly activity records and daily timesheets detailing accomplishments and keeping neat and accurate records.
• Maintain and safely operate equipment and motor vehicles.
• Tasks may include wildlife monitoring (such as aquatic turtles), trail camera monitoring, GPS of invasive plants and/or locations of sources of native plant seed, among others.
• Prepare for public events as requested and any other activities requested by the supervisor

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 National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S-130/190.
• Ability to competently and safely use and maintain equipment needed in restoration activities, including skid steers, tractors, UTVs, pumps, chainsaws, clearing saws, etc.
• Possession of or ability to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with volunteers.
• Knowledge of word processing and database programs.
• Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS and GPS receivers preferred.
• Maintain meaningful and accurate records.

Requirements:

• Possession of an Illinois driver’s license
• Illinois Department of Agriculture Pesticide Operators license within two months of employment.
• Ability to physically implement strenuous natural resource management tasks in all seasons and weather conditions including the ability to lift 50 lbs.

Hours: 

This is a full-time salaried position. Work will primarily begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 West Rockton Road, Rockton, Illinois. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, with the ability to flex hours as needed. Approximately 90% of the work is in the field and 10% is office work.

Compensation: 

This position has a salary range of $40,000 – $50,000 a year dependent on
experience.  Benefits include two weeks vacation, two weeks sick leave, three personal days, and eleven holidays. NLI pays health insurance of an employee at the rate of 80% of the group premium. Employees are responsible for 20% of the group premium. NLI funds a health related flexible spending account with $500 a year. The employee can add to this account with pre-tax funds. NLI carries worker’s compensation insurance. Employees are eligible to direct funds to a tax-deferred 403(b) retirement plan.