Senior Scientific Specialist, Land-Stream Conservation

The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), a leader in investigating and preserving biological resources in Illinois and beyond, is seeking a Land-Stream Conservationist who will serve as the Lead Field Specialist for the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) as directed by the intergovernmental agreement between the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). This includes serving as a liaison among INHS, IDNR, CREP Field Specialists, and CREP Stakeholders. Duties will include overseeing field operations, facilitating new CREP enrollments, CREP management planning, CREP monitoring, and CREP administrative tasks.

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five State Scientific Surveys covering a wide range of expertise, including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology.  PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and services that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and across Illinois, the nation, and the world.

 Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. 

The on-site location will be in Springfield, Illinois. On-site/In-Office expectations will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with optional remote work on Monday and Friday, when business needs allow.

As a Land-Stream Conservationist, you will,

• Perform data collection, planning, monitoring, and research.
• Assist, compile, peer review, edit, collaborate, and analyze conservation management plans and conservation monitoring reports that impact water quality, wildlife, forestry, fish, and natural heritage resources.
• Coordinate with INHS CREP staff, IDNR staff, CREP partners, and CREP stakeholders to provide administrative and technical assistance for: CREP easement enrollments, easement re-enrollments, easement transfers, easement management, easement alterations/violations, easement subordinations/releases, natural resource planning, and conservation practices.
• Coordinates technical assistance for the inter-departmental CREP Technical Review Team.
• Coordinate with INHS CREP staff, IDNR staff, CREP partners, and CREP stakeholders to implement, monitor, manage, document, and enforce CREP easement compliance.
• Assists INHS CREP staff, IDNR staff, CREP partners, and CREP stakeholders on the compilation of best management practice data and landowners’ perceptions on conservation, freshwater species, and stream health.
• Assist, coordinate, prepare, and conduct reviews of enrollment documents, easement documents, title commitments, ownership documents (deed, title, LLC, etc.), boundary surveys, legal descriptions, maps, data surveys, and financial estimates/documents.
• Conduct other research duties as assigned.
• Assist and facilitate the collection, analysis, and reporting of adaptive CREP data. Utilizes spreadsheets and supplemental databases for workflow data, easement enrollment data, easement management data, easement monitoring data, and natural resource planning data.
• Report on CREP monitoring and management progress/status and make recommendations to IDNR staff.
• Compile, analyze, and collaborate with INHS CREP staff, IDNR staff, CREP partners, and CREP stakeholders to generate reports and summaries regarding mandated CREP goals.
• Respond to requests for scientific/technical information from CREP stakeholders and research partners.
• Compile, analyze, and report CREP monitoring data for conferences and professional meetings/trainings/presentations.
• Conduct other data management and reporting duties as assigned.
• Acts as CREP liaison between INHS, IDNR, CREP partners, and CREP stakeholders.
• Supervise and lead staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, career development planning, lease/travel approval, conducting annual performance reviews, and ensuring completion of compliance-related tasks.
• Provide administrative and technical training to INHS CREP staff.
• Provide and conduct training and outreach for INHS Staff, IDNR staff, CREP partners, CREP stakeholders, and private landowners.
• Manage CREP Field Staff travel and vehicles, including maintenance and annual inspections.
• Assist PI with development of new IDNR/CREP contract proposals.
• Manage and track INHS CREP financial responsibilities and budgetary expenses as directed by the INHS/IDNR contract.
• Assist IDNR with comprehensive administrative duties and central coordination for the monitoring, inventory, analysis, planning, and implementation of CREP natural resource management.
• Assist IDNR with CREP natural resource conservation procedures and guidelines.
• Conduct other administrative duties as assigned.
• Perform other duties as directed to further the mission and goals of the Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and the University of Illinois.
• Keep abreast of developments in this

Minimum Qualifications Include

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, biology, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience related to this position.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional administrative and field experience with agricultural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, biology, and related best management practices.
• Experience must include field experience related to the planning and monitoring of conservation practices and best management practices.
• Supervisory or leadership experience is required.
• A valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications Include

• Experience working with government agencies and researchers in a range of scientific fields.
• Experience communicating with the participants, stakeholders, constituents, and public in rural areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of agricultural conservation, policy, and private land conservation programs (e.g., Conservation Reserve Enhanced Program (CREP), Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Illinois Recreation Access Program (IRAP). Good understanding of ecological evaluation of landscape quality, and general ecology/biology of grassland, forests, wetlands, and wildlife; biodiversity, soil, and water resource conservation in agricultural settings. Demonstrated ability to independently complete complex tasks as required by the demands of the project. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Proficient with MS Office software and databases.

Environmental Demands

The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves sitting for extended periods of time working at a computer. The work may also require working in adverse field conditions (heat, humidity, biting insects, etc.), travel (including driving to and from research sites) throughout the state of Illinois. Overnight travel may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. The successful candidate must take proper safety precautions, anticipate unsafe circumstances, and act accordingly to prevent accidents.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The budgeted salary is $62,000 and is commensurate with education, experience, and skill, while also considering internal equity. The start date is negotiable.   

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.