Visiting Scientific Specialist, Field Scientist (up to 6 positions)
Agency: Illinois Natural History Survey
Location: various IL sites
Closing Date: October 12, 2020
To Apply: Please complete your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a cover letter, CV/resume, and the contact information for three professional references by October 12, 2020.
Term/Grade: Full-time academic professional appointment
Position Summary:
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas, and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources. INHS is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
INHS is seeking Field Scientists to monitor, assess, and promote the Conservation Reserved Enhanced Program (CREP) across the State of Illinois.
Major Duties:
- Conduct, develop, and participate in research and outreach activities of the Survey.
- Provide responsive project management for landowners in the efficient and effective processing of the complex conservation easement process, including coordinating the initial application, technical, and field review with IDNR.
- Participate in the stewardship and monitoring of the growing portfolio of CREP conservation easements in CREP eligible watersheds. Participate in the development of conservation plans.
- Conduct monitoring visits.
- Develop and coordinate conservation plans for new and renewed CREP easements.
- Interact with landowners to compile data on best management practices and to gather landowner’s perceptions on conservation, freshwater species, and stream health.
- Provide outreach and education to landowners eligible for Federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract and state CREP conservation easements. Develop and administer training content and coordinate training plans with IDNR CREP easement staff.
- Provide proper communication about training content to include? program details and procedures, use and purpose of CREP conservation easements, and best practices for conservation easement management.
- Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
- Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.
See announcement and apply here.
