Restoration Technician, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation

This position works as part of a crew that is responsible for implementing ecological restoration and land stewardship activities on sites owned or managed by members of the NW IL Stewardship Co-op. NISC is a collaboration of 10 public and private organizations in northwest Illinois that works to address pressing and urgent natural areas management concerns across jurisdictional boundaries and service regions. NISC is based in Elizabeth, Illinois and will work on some of NISC’s conservation areas located in Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, Stephenson and/or Winnebago Counties, Illinois. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent for the NISC program and the Restoration Technician will be employed by JDCF.

The Restoration Technician will implement invasive and exotic plant management control methods using integrated pest management strategies, including manual, mechanical, chemical and prescribed burning methods.

Day-to-day job duties will primarily be focused on restoring native plant and animal habitats in parks, nature preserves and other conservation areas. As needed, the Restoration Technician will assist in the preparation of grant applications, grant reports and land management plans.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Science or similar field. Ideal candidates will also have at least 6 months of related field experience, experience using GPS/GIS software, a valid herbicide applicator’s license (or the ability to acquire one), basic certifications in prescribed burning from National Wildfire Coordinating Group or similar organization and the ability to work cooperatively with others, including volunteers.