Natural Resources Technician

Objective: To assist the Director of Stewardship with stewardship at Natural Land Institute’s preserves, monitor conservation easements, assist the Director of Stewardship with developing management plans and evaluating ongoing restoration efforts, as well as help cultivate volunteer land management initiatives on lands owned by the Natural Land Institute primarily in the Rockford area.  Candidates with a degree in Natural Resource Management, Biological Sciences or equivalent are preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with natural areas management, including invasive species control, prescribed burning, seed collecting, native plantings, plant propagation, and planning of management on NLI preserves.
• Annually monitor and prepare monitoring reports for NLI’s conservation easements and preserves.
• Supervise staff and volunteers under the direction of the Director of Stewardship.
• Additional tasks may include bird, mammal, herptile, insect, macroinvertebrate, and vegetation monitoring and inventories along with database entry and development. 
• Work with volunteers on natural resource management projects at NLI properties.
• Prepare maps and exhibits for NLI preserves and conservation easements under the direction of the Director of Stewardship.
• Maintain and service facilities and equipment as needed.
• Maintain monthly activity records detailing accomplishments.
• Prepare for donor/public events hosted by the Natural Land Institute.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of Illinois flora and fauna, especially in northwestern Illinois.
• Candidate should be detail oriented, well-organized, personable, friendly and able to interact and work closely with diverse stakeholders while representing NLI.
• Candidate must have 2 years related field experience carrying out listed job responsibilities.
• Candidate should hold a degree in natural resources management, biological sciences or a closely related field, and field experience is recommended. 
• Candidate should have the ability to physically implement natural resource management tasks, including walking over uneven and difficult terrain, or carrying heavy items such as seed and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Possession of or ability to acquire an Illinois Pesticide Applicator License.
• Possession of or ability to acquire NWCG S-130/S-190 Wildland Firefighter Training certificates and/or Illinois Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certification.
• Ability to competently and safely use and maintain equipment needed in restoration activities, including skid steers, tractors, UTVs, pumps, chainsaws, clearing saws, etc.
• Candidate must hold a clean driving record.

Desirable Skills:

• Possession of or ability to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Public speaking experience.
• Knowledge of word processing and software like LANDSCAPE, Field Maps, or Survey 123.
• Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS and GPS receivers.

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.

Compensation:  $40,000-$45,000 plus benefits, depending on education and experience.

Benefits:  Benefits include two weeks paid vacation, two weeks paid sick leave, three personal days, and 11 paid holidays. NLI pays health insurance of an employee at the rate of 80% of the group premium. NLI carries worker’s compensation insurance. Employees are eligible to direct funds to a tax-deferred 403(b) retirement plan.

To apply:  Please send completed resume, cover letter, and three references to the attention of Zach Grycan, Director of Stewardship at [email protected] by May 1, 2024.

Natural Land Institute is a 65-year old accredited land trust for 12 counties in Northern Illinois.  NLI currently owns and manages 24 preserves totaling 3,140 acres and holds 48 conservation easements on 4,373 acres. Its mission is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals.