Job Description

The Ecologist will play a central role in developing and executing The Wetlands Initiative’s (TWI) ecological restoration work. This is a full-time position with benefits that is based in our Chicago office and will provide project, research, and administrative support for our ecologists and site managers. This will be an excellent position for someone early in their career path in restoration ecology and/or habitat conservation. The work will be conducted mostly during normal office hours and mostly at the Chicago office with some work-from-home flexibility; regional travel and evening / weekend hours will be occasionally required. The Ecologist will report to TWI’s Senior Ecologist.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in developing plant species palettes for introductions into restored habitat for new and ongoing projects.
• Assist in ordering seed, plugs and supplies for restoration projects.
• Assist in the collection of field survey data.
• Maintain project-level financial information, track project-milestones, and help TWI’s development staff produce grant applications and progress reports.
• Assist in the hiring processes for field restoration technicians at project sites.
• Help coordinate and assist in leading volunteer events, e.g. seed harvests, planting days, BioBlitzes, and other volunteer workdays.
• Assist in data management and analyses: entering and validation of data, creating graphics, and statistical analyses.
• Work with TWI’s full-time staff GIS Analyst to create and update maps.
• Assist in preparing conference presentations: creating PowerPoint slides and/or poster presentations, statistical analyses, etc.
• Present on TWI restoration work, lessons learned, and research findings at conferences and other venues.
• Help prepare journal articles and reports on experimental work and restoration progress.
• Conduct library and/or online research into publications relevant to TWI’s work and provide synopses.
• Represent TWI at external meetings or work groups such as certain Chicago Wilderness committees.
• Assist restoration supervisors/site managers with seed sorting, mixing, and planting.
• Other duties as assigned by the Senior Ecologist.

Key qualifications:

• Master’s degree in ecology, conservation, natural resource management, or related field.
• Excellent attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management skills.
• The ideal candidate will be a reliable self-starter, exhibit strong interpersonal skills, and possess a generally positive attitude.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Solid skills with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, experience with statistical analysis software (e.g. R), and familiarity with or the ability to learn database management software (e.g. Access).

Additional experience that is helpful but not required:

• Two years’ professional experience in ecological restoration, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with and the ability to identify native Illinois flora, particularly prairie, savanna and wetland species.
• Paid and/or volunteer experience at an organization that carries out ecological restoration in the field.

This is a full-time position with benefits; starting annual salary is in the low 60s.

The Wetlands Initiative is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or marital status. Increasing diversity of all kinds at the staff and board levels is an organizational priority.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a letter of inquiry and resume (NO PHONE CALLS) to:

[email protected]

OR

Ecologist

The Wetlands Initiative

53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1015

Chicago, IL 60604

Job Categories: Ecology. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: See posting for details.

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