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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

RESTORATION ECOLOGIST

 

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is accepting resumes for the position of Restoration Ecologist.  This is a full-time position that is responsible for contributing to the day-to-day planning and implementation of District Natural Area Restoration projects, with an emphasis on flora and natural communities. 

 

The Restoration Ecologist position is a Grade 10 position, with a salary range of $54,473 to $75,207 with an anticipated salary of $54,473 to $64,006 per year, commensurate with experience.  See the attached Job Description outlining duties, skills, abilities, training, experience, and working conditions, or visit ReconnectWithNature.org for more information. 

 

Resumes will be accepted until September 15, 2025.

Application Procedure: Send a cover letter describing interest and a resume to:

Veronica Frausto-Sarwark, Director of Human Resources

Forest Preserve District of Will County

17540 W. Laraway Road

Joliet, Illinois 60433

815-722-5669 (desk)

815-722-3608 (fax)

humanresources@fpdwc.org

 

The Forest Preserve District of Will County does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, or disability. In offering employment opportunities to the public, the Forest Preserve District will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity. To request this document in large print, audio, or Braille, contact the Director of Marketing and Communications, Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433; comments@fpdwc.org; 815.722.9383 (voice); 800.526.0844 (TDD). Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance. While the Forest Preserve District of Will County will make every effort to meet requests in a timely fashion, some requests may take longer than others to fulfill. Persons believing that they have been discriminated against by the Forest Preserve District of Will County may file a complaint alleging discrimination with the Forest Preserve District or the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.doi.gov.


 

 

 

WILL COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

 

TITLE:  RESTORATION ECOLOGIST

DEPARTMENT: CONSERVATION

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

DATE:    AUGUST 2025 

LOCATION: SUGAR CREEK ADMINISTRATION CENTER

 

   

BASIC FUNCTION

The Restoration Ecologist contributes to the day-to-day planning and implementation of District Natural Area Restoration projects, with an emphasis on flora and natural communities. 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:

  • Ecological Coordinator

 

Supervises:

  • None

This position will require occasional coordination of the Resource Management Crew and Operations Department staff.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Prepare and implement site restoration and management plans for natural and degraded ecosystems at the direction of the Ecological Coordinator or Ecological Management Supervisor.
  2. Contribute to the development of annual work plans, schedules, summaries, and reports, some requiring other agency sign-off.
  3. Assist with the annual budget preparation process and expense tracking.
  4. Develop grant proposals and administrate grant projects to ensure compliance.
  5. Secure and manage contractual services according to established policies and procedures.
  6. Participate in the implementation of the District’s prescribed fire management program with the ability to function as Crew Boss.
  7. Assist in completing environmental reviews on proposed land use and development within or adjacent to preserves.
  8. Contribute to baseline site inventories, implementation of monitoring programs, and data management systems to evaluate the effectiveness of various restoration and management programs.
  9. Coordinate with the Resource Management Crew and other resource management staff to implement tasks identified in annual management schedules.
  10. Represent the District and/or Natural Resource Management section in various inter- or intra-agency teams, meetings, and working groups as assigned.
  11. Other duties as assigned by supervisor or director.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Must have knowledge of Midwest natural communities, native and non-native plant species identification, natural area restoration techniques, ecology, and conservation biology principles.
  • Must have technical skills to perform surveys, data collection and analysis, and report preparation.
  • Must effectively communicate, written and oral, with a variety of professional staff, consultants, and volunteers.
  • Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheet, and database) and ArcGIS mapping software.
  • Must possess or attain a valid Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s license.
  • Must possess and maintain a current and valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

 

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Education:         Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, or related field.

 

Experience:       Five years of related experience in natural areas restoration and management planning, and implementation preferred.  Three years of related experience participating in prescribed fire varying in size and complexity preferred.

 

Certifications:   Possession of, or willingness to procure, coursework in prescribed fire management and behavior: National Wildfire Coordinating Group S130/190 (S290 and S390 preferred) or Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription Fire Crew Member training.

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

  1. Semi-active job: while performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to manipulate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, talk, and hear.
  2. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving parts; works outside in extreme heat or cold weather conditions; lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds; is exposed to fumes, airborne particles, smoke, and toxic or caustic chemicals, and potentially hazardous plants and animals.
  3. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  4. The noise level in this job is usually moderate but can be high.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

This 40-hour/week position entails working Monday - Friday with the possibility/option to work flexible weekday, evening, and weekend shifts.  Occasional extended hours and weekend workdays will be required. 

This position includes the option of a maximum of 16 hours of remote work per week, after 6 months, per the District’s remote work policy, subject to the supervisor’s approval. 

 

 

PAY RANGE, ANNUAL SALARY, AND BENEFITS

Pay Range:      Grade 10

 

Minimum:       $54,473

Midpoint:        $64,006

Maximum:      $75,207

 

Schedule:         Full Time

 

Benefits:           Medical HMO/PPO HDHP, dental, vision, basic life/AD&D, and voluntary 

life/AD&D, IMRF pension, paid sick time, vacation, and holidays following the 

current handbook, employee assistance program, options to purchase voluntary 

insurance, and deferred compensation.