Seasonal Ecology Intern

Job duties are designed to provide valuable experience through a diversity of work performed at Richardson Wildlife Foundation. Such work is often in variable weather conditions and through difficult terrain for extended periods of time. Duties may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Hand-collect prairie, wetland, and woodland forb seed
• Chemically control exotic, invasive vegetation via backpack sprayer
• Survey native reptiles and amphibians and conduct radio telemetry of rare species of turtles
• Plant plugs or saplings of native plant or tree species
• Conduct wood duck and bluebird box maintenance, surveys, and inspections
• Assist with seeding prairies or wetlands with native plant species
• Conduct various sampling surveys of native plant or wildlife species on-site
• Assist with chain saw work and timber stand improvement
• Perform miscellaneous duties involved in the daily operations of the Foundation

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Current college student or recent graduate with a background in Environmental Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Botany or related field.  Must possess a current driver’s license, a strong work ethic, and have experience using various hand and power tools. 

STIPEND:  $15.00/hour; housing available

DATES: May 15th through August 15th (dates are flexible)

LOCATION:  Richardson Wildlife Foundation is located near the town of West Brooklyn in Lee County in north central Illinois approximately 50 miles south of Rockford, IL.  Our area consists of ~2000 acres of diverse habitat including prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife food plantings.  The goals of the Foundation include habitat development and restoration, conservation education, and related research.

www.richardsonwildlife.org