2025 Student Intern Opportunities in Restoration Ecology
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District
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 from approx. mid-May to mid-August. Wage rate is $14.00/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 as soon as possible after work begins, preferably before.
4. Valid Driver’s license.
Applicants should submit a resume and contact information for two references by May 5th, 2022 to:
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District
200 N. Main Street
Sycamore IL 6017 jclark@dekalbcounty.org (815) 895-7191
https://dekalbcounty.org/departments/forest-preserve/
