Job Description

Key responsibilities at Midewin include:

• Maintain strong professional relationships with key partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, and key nongovernmental organizations;
• Recruit, hire and oversee full time and seasonal personnel and interns at Midewin;
• Develop relationships with key vendors and contractors;
• Anticipate, quantify, and order supplies required for conducting restoration work at Midewin such as tools and herbicide as required by project plans and budgets;
• Work with Forest Service personnel and TWI ecologists to determine species needs for the various units being restored, including the quantities of seed and plants for installation at each unit annually;
• Organize the sorting and distribution of native seed purchased for planting during the winter months;
• Organize and oversee spring and summer planting operations, including water management and crew assignments and invasive species removal;
• Oversee management of woody and herbaceous native and non-native invasive plant species;
• Work with other TWI personnel, FS staff, and partners to organize and conduct volunteer events;
• Assist in tracking restoration metrics and accomplishments to report to funders;
• Give talks or presentations to people within the conservation community about the work being performed by TWI;
• Lead tours of TWI’s Midewin project areas for partners, funders, volunteers, and other interested parties;
• Oversee the maintenance of all vehicles, power tools, and other equipment owned and being utilized by TWI at Midewin;
• Assist in preparing annual project budgets and ensure that project spending is conducted within the framework of these budgets.

Other responsibilities include:

• Participate in the planning and execution of restoration activities on project sites being managed by TWI in the Calumet Region;
• Other duties as assigned.

Key qualifications:

• Professional experience in ecological restoration (experience in wetlands restoration preferred);
• Ability to inspire and lead a team in restoring ecological functions to the Illinois landscape;
• Knowledge of Illinois native plant communities;
• Herbicide applicator license or ability to pass the Illinois Pesticide Applicator exam within four weeks of starting;
• Prescribed burn certification;
• Ability to carry out moderately demanding outdoor work in varied weather conditions;
• Successful experience collaborating with multiple external partners to achieve project goals;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, a self-directed work ethic, and a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment;
• An innate curiosity about the world in which we live and a strong desire to continue learning;
• Master’s degree in ecology or a related field preferred.

How to Apply

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. www.wetlands-initiative.org Applicants should submit a letter of inquiry and resume (NO PHONE CALLS) to: Gary Sullivan, Ph.D. Senior Ecologist The Wetlands Initiative 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1015 Chicago, IL 60604 [email protected]

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: conservation, Ecology, prairie, restoration, and wetlands. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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