2016 Intern
Opportunities in Restoration Ecology
DeKalb
County Forest Preserve District
DeKalb
County Illinois
The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District carries out a
broad range of ecological restoration activities related to our core mission: “preserve, protect and restore the flora,
fauna and natural beauties of our lands, as near as may be, in their natural
state and condition, for the education and recreation of our citizens”. This position will be full time from mid-May
to mid-August. Wage rate is $9.50/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.
2.
Native
plant community restoration and reconstruction, including propagation, planting,
seeding, watering, weeding, barrier construction and predation control.
3.
Seed
collection, and assisting volunteers during seed collection
activities.
4.
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, species lists. The log will
be reviewed periodically by the Natural Resources Manager.
7.
Other
tasks. Occasionally,
interns will assist staff with other related 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.
Applicants should submit a resume and contact information
for two references by March 4th,
2016 to:
Terry Hannan, Superintendent
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District
200 N. Main Street
Sycamore IL, 6017
( 815) 895-7191
