2014 Intern Opportunity in Natural Resources Management
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District
DeKalb County Illinois
The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District carries out a broad range of ecological restoration and maintenance activities intended to address our core mission: acquire lands to “preserve, protect and restore the flora, fauna and natural beauties, as near as may be, in their natural state and condition, for the education and recreation of our citizens”. The Forest Preserve District manages 15 preserves with woodlands, prairies, wetlands and waterways.
The Intern can expect to gain experience in areas such as ecological assessment, field botany, invasive species control and others. This position will be part-time, 24 hours per week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (with occasional weekends) from mid-May to mid-August. The wage rate is $10.00 per hour.
Primary duties and activities:
1. Invasive species control, including spraying (back-pack or vehicle mounted) or wicking herbicides, weed-eater operation, mowing, and hand-pulling. Invasive species control is a frequent activity during much of the summer. Cutting, hauling and burning brush may occur depending on seasonal conditions.
2. Native plant community restoration and reconstruction, including planting, watering, weeding, barrier construction and predation control.
3. Seed collection, and supervising groups of volunteers during seed collection activities.
4. Assist staff with inventory and assessment activities including plant and animal identification, data collection, mapping and report preparation.
5. Assist with monitoring and inventory of rare or endangered species. This may include the use of telemetry and GIS equipment, and frequent wading in steams, marshes or ponds.
6. Maintain a daily log, including activities and, as directed by the supervisor, plant lists. The log will be reviewed periodically by the Natural Resources Manager.
7. Other tasks. Occasionally, interns may be assigned to assist staff with tasks such as mowing, fence removal or construction, grounds maintenance or various other maintenance tasks.
Requirements:
1. College student or recent graduate with education or background in biological sciences, forestry, ecology, botany, horticulture, environmental sciences or similar disciplines.
2. Ability to carry out physically demanding tasks on a routine basis, while tolerating exposure to heat, humidity, insects, poison plants, and allergens. In other words, working outdoors in native plant communities in Northern Illinois during the summer, all day long.
3. Obtain an Illinois Pesticide Operator’s License through the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture. This must be obtained within two weeks of hire, preferably before.
4. Valid Driver’s license.
5. Ability to work well with a team, as well as independently without direct supervision.
Preferred skills:
1. A working knowledge of flora and fauna of northern Illinois or a strong interest in learning them.
2. Basic digital-age skills as applicable to natural resource management, including GPS & GIS mapping techniques, Microsoft Office Suite.
3. Experience with mechanized equipment: riding mowers, brush cutters, weed eaters, chain saws, Bobcat, tractor.
Applicants should submit a resume and two letters of reference by April 19, 2014 to:
Terry Hannan, Superintendent
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District
200 N. Main Street
Sycamore IL 60178
Or thannan@dekalbcounty.org
(815) 895-7191
