Stewardship Program Aide (Part-Time)
Posting Salary: $20.00 Hourly
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Job Summary
Under the direct supervision and direction of the Stewardship Program Coordinator, the Stewardship Program Aide supports the Stewardship Program by attending volunteer workdays, providing mentoring, technical support, formal training and informal on-the-job training for Site Stewards and other stewardship volunteers. This position is a year-round part-time position, which averages 16 hours per week and does not exceed 29 hours per week, and will be assigned to various locations throughout the District.
Typical Duties
Visits and works with Site Stewards at all volunteer managed sites as assigned by the Stewardship Program Coordinator. Works with the Site Stewards and the stewardship group to assure District policies and protocol are being followed.
Enforces rules and regulations of the District; maintains and sends reports of all volunteer work days to District departments, government entities, officials and municipalities.
Establishes positive and supportive communications with ecological stewardship volunteers and assures their suggestions, issues, thoughts, and comments are communicated to appropriate District staff and the Stewardship Program Coordinators.
Assists the Stewardship Program Coordinator to deliver training of existing curriculum within Ecological Stewardship and develops new courses as needed.
Assists in conducting and/or coordinating training and orientation programs for volunteers.
Supports Site Stewards and groups to develop recruitment strategies for their sites and actively recruits new ecological stewardship volunteers directly at District and public events.
Supports stewardship groups to strengthen group dynamics, individual volunteer development, etc. Attends meetings of stewardship groups as requested by Stewardship Program Coordinator.
Communicates regularly with ecological stewardship volunteers on important information pertinent to their roles as stewards and general information about the District.
Continually evaluates all aspects of the District’s volunteer program to ensure effectiveness and recommends and implements changes as appropriate. Recommends improvements to the Stewardship Program Coordinator.
Provides backup to other department divisional areas.
Performs other departmental and District duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Must possess an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in biology, botany, zoology, natural sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, environmental education or a substantially similar area and two (2) or more years of practical work experience in natural resource management or ecological restoration; OR must possess a high school diploma or GED and four (4) or more years of full-time professional work experience in natural resource management or ecological restoration.
Must possess a current valid driver’s license.
Must possess (1) a pesticide applicator’s license or official documentation verifying that the exam has been taken and passed and (2) a certificate of completion of the National Wildlife Coordinating Group S130/S190 courses or the Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training OR be willing to obtain the above certifications and licenses within one (1) year of employment and maintain them as a condition of continued employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, botany, zoology, natural sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, environmental education or a substantially similar area and/or two or more years experience working as a volunteer or with volunteers in natural resource management or ecological restoration.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of the science, concepts, and best practices related to the preservation, management and conservation of natural resources and wildlife as it applies to the District.
General knowledge of the appropriate management techniques to enrich and sustain regional habitats as it pertains to District needs and operations.
Strong knowledge of the challenges and how to effectively treat and remove invasive species..
Knowledge of and ability to identify native and invasive flora of Cook County. Adept at managing and coordinating volunteers to carry out the goals and objectives of the District at assigned land management sites.
Ability to work with diverse groups within and outside of the District.
Skill in communicating effectively and tactfully with others both verbally and in writing and to effectively communicate safety procedures.
Ability to explain services and operations or provide general directions and information to volunteers and to the public, if needed.
Ability to maintain records and prepare required reports.
Ability to manage numerous projects at one time and meet deadlines.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and year-round
Strong ability to resolve conflicts and work through differences of opinion between volunteers, Partners and District staff relative to land management techniques and programs.
Knowledge of or ability to learn and apply established Forest Preserves District Land Management Guidelines.
Maintain required licenses and certifications for this position as a condition of continued employment and obtain additional certifications and licenses deemed appropriate by the District for this position.
Willingness to work flexible, weekend and evening hours as required. This position requires approximately 4-6 weekend days per month and 1-3 evenings per month on average. It requires 5 -15 hours per month for phone or office meetings each week. Work week would average 15 hours per week but could vary from 10 – 25 hours depending on project need and staff availability.
This position occasionally requires various types of physical exertion including, but not limited to climbing, lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving moderate to heavy weight.
This position requires traveling to work assignments throughout the county for which the employee must have own adequate means of transportation as backup when District vehicles are not available.
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.
Veteran’s Preference
When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:
Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”
Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of the application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).
Provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.
General District Employment Requirements
PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES MUST BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO INTERVIEW. ORIGINAL/CERFTIFIED COPIES 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.