Job Opening: Resource Technician
Organization: Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Opening Date: Nov 11, 2013 Closing Date: Nov 24, 2013
Full-time Shift Start Time: 6:30 A.M. Shift End Time: 3:00 P.M.
Collective Bargaining Unit : 700 Teamsters Posting Salary: $46,612.80 Yearly
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Resource Manager or designee, performs the removal of plant material related to ecosystem management projects. Assists with hazardous tree removal, tree pruning, stream clean-up and storm damage clean-up throughout the District. Assists with maintenance of trail surfaces, trail corridors and the installation and maintenance of trail signage. Assists in performing prescribed burns on District lands in accordance with prescribed standards, and assists in preventing or suppressing wildfires. Collects seeds and assists in propagating plants; prepares areas for planting, sows seeds, and plants native vegetation for ecological restoration. Applies herbicides to control invasive plant species in accordance with prescribed standards. Assists with fisheries and wildlife management projects. Assists with special events at District nature centers. Works closely with Volunteer Resource staff on various projects and assists with providing guidance and direction to volunteers.
Typical Duties
Participates in work activities supporting ecosystem management projects on District lands.
Uses a variety of hand held power tools which include, but are not limited to, chain saws, shovels, loppers, hand saws, etc.; performs physically demanding, strenuous tasks using these and other types of tools in a safe and effective manner.
Removes plant materials and maintain trail surfaces and corridors utilizing a wide range of equipment, including but not limited to: hand tools (i.e., shovels, rakes, axes, bow-saws, loppers, chainsaws, pole-saws, line trimmers and brush cutters), small mechanized equipment (i.e., walk behind brush mowers, lawn mowers and gators) and heavy equipment (i.e., skid-steer loaders, brush chippers, aerial bucket trucks, clam truck log loaders, front-end loaders, various tractors with brush mowers, bulldozers, and back-hoe loader tractors).
Performs restoration work aimed at restoring the natural ecosystem to a healthy condition utilizing firsthand knowledge of basic principles of plant ecology and related principles and techniques.
Assists in performing prescribed burns on designated management areas and wildfire suppression according to prescribed standards.
Collects seeds, assists with the growth and the maintenance of native plants; prepares areas for planting, sows seeds and plants native vegetation on ecological restoration sites.
Applies herbicides to prepared areas to control invasive plant species according to prescribed standards. Assists with the installation and maintenance of informational trail signage.
Assists with management projects, monitoring and research projects for the District such as plant inventories, fish surveys, wildlife studies and environmental education programs.
Assists with special events at District nature centers.
Assists volunteers by providing guidance and direction in the use and application of tools and equipment on trail projects, volunteer stewardship program or in other capacity as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, urban forestry, forest ecology, forest resource management or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university; OR must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. and four (4) or more years of professional work experience in natural area restoration, arborist work, light and/or heavy equipment operation, or other landscape/agricultural work.
Must possess a valid Illinois Pesticide Operators License or official documentation verifying that the exam has been taken and passed.
Must have completed the National Wildlife Coordinating Group S130/S190 courses or the Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training.
Must possess a current valid driver’s license with a Class A Commercial Driver’s License Permit and must be willing to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within six (6) months of employment; OR must possess a current valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License.
Must be willing to maintain Class A Commercial Driver’s License as a condition of continued employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Possession of a current valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
Knowledge of the basic principles and concepts related to ecology and plant physiology.
Knowledge of the basic principles and techniques used for restoration management.
Knowledge of and the ability to perform the basics of fire management as it relates to prescribed burning.
Knowledge of and ability to perform prescribed herbicide application as required.
Knowledge of and ability to identify plants that are native and invasive to Cook County.
General knowledge of established Land Management Guidelines.
Ability to identify insect pests.
Ability to follow instructions and carry out related duties as assigned.
Ability to communicate effectively with the general public and represent the District in a professional manner.
Ability to maintain grounds and equipment and makes minor repairs to various types of tools and machinery used in restoration vegetation management.
Must maintain the required certifications and licenses for this position as a condition of continued employment.
Ability to obtain any additional certifications and licenses deemed appropriate by the District for this position.
Ability to work extended hours or hours outside normal business hours during prescribed burn season, storm damage operations or other unforeseen occurrences related to the function of this position.
Ability to effectively demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated herein; ability to perform the typical duties and meet the physical requirements of the job.
This position requires exposure to a hazardous work environment including but not limited to: exposure to fire, smoke, herbicides, stream clean-up, natural elements, hazardous plants and animals and the physical ability to perform various types of physical exertion, including, but not limited to lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of moderate to heavy weight.
This position may require the employee to work out of various locations temporarily to facilitate District operations.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.
General District Employment Requirements
PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.
MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.
Apply online at:
https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/400/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en