Opportunity for social science undergraduate students

 

Who is Eligible? 👩‍🏫Upper-level undergraduate students and recent graduates (post-baccalaureate) with an interest in social science research. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds who are curious about data, research methods, and exploring graduate study in survey and data science. Why Join the Pathways Program? 👩‍🏫 Free & Virtual The Pathways Program is completely free of charge (with a refundable $50 deposit) and held virtually, making it accessible no matter where you are. 🧑‍🏫 Tailored Learning We offer a flexible learning experience with 10 hours of live instruction in the Summer Program (July 28 – August 8, 2025, Mon–Fri, 12:00–1:00 PM EST) or 8 hours of live instruction in the Fall Program (October 4 – 26, 2025, Sat–Sun, 12:00–1:00 PM EST). The program combines hands-on activities, mentorship, and group discussions to enhance your learning. 🌟 Expert Guidance Learn directly from faculty at the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science (MPSDS)—leaders in the field who are passionate about mentoring the next generation of data-driven social science researchers. 🤝 Networking Opportunities Connect with peers, MPSDS students and alumni, and professionals across academia. The relationships you build here could help shape your future career. 🛠️ Hands-On Experience This isn’t just theory—it’s practical. You'll engage with real research, data, and methods that power today’s most important survey and social science projects. 🚀 Career Advancement Whether you’re planning to pursue graduate study or enter the workforce, the Pathways Program equips you with skills and insights to open new doors in survey and data science. Webinar: Information on our Pathways Program by MPSDS faculty, Henning Silber.

If you have any questions about the Pathways Program or need help with the application process, feel free to reach out! You can contact us at MPSDS.Pathways@umich.edu—we’re happy to help.

Rock Island Forest Preserve Ranger Position

TITLE: Assistant Park Ranger

DEPARTMENT: Loud Thunder Forest Preserve

SUPERVISOR: Loud Thunder Park Ranger

FLSA: Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Represented Employee – AFSCME 2025A

CLASSIFICATION: Assistant Park Ranger – Grade 23

SALARY $23.74

BASIC FUNCTION:

The role of Assistant Park Ranger at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve is both challenging and rewarding,

situated in the heart of Illinois City, IL. This position primarily involves working closely with the Loud

Thunder Park Ranger to maintain and enhance the park's facilities and natural landscapes. A key focus of

the job includes the thorough maintenance of park grounds, structures, and a variety of machinery that

ranges from light to heavy duty. As an Assistant Park Ranger, you'll be tasked with ensuring that all

equipment is in good working condition, ready to support park operations effectively. The Assistant Park

Ranger will also interact frequently with the public, especially during peak camping months, which

demands regular site patrols to conduct security checks at campsites and ensure visitor safety. This

interaction not only helps maintain a safe environment but also fosters positive experiences for all

guests. Collaboration with the supervising ranger is essential, as you will engage in strategic planning

sessions to assess timelines for maintenance tasks and projects. To excel in this role, candidates must

exhibit a proactive attitude and self-motivation, along with strong organizational and communication

skills to effectively serve both park visitors and the staff team. This is full-time, non-exempt position

with excellent benefits that include sick, vacation, and paid holidays, health and vision benefits in

addition to a defined pension benefit.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patrols park property on foot or in a vehicle. Performs visual inspections of park property and

facilities. Checks for maintenance and security problems. Patrol duties and responsibilities

include:

o Ensuring camping permits are secured properly from the camp office.

o Responds to inquiries from campers and other patrons.

o Enforces rules and regulations while patrol grounds.

o Performs inspection of facilities to ensure they are safe for patron use.

o Assists in the operation of the boat rental service.

• When not assigned to patrol duty, the employee receives work assignments in the maintenance

of grounds, facilities, vehicles and equipment. Duties and responsibilities include:

o Performs pre and post operational checks on equipment.

o Performs manufacture recommended servicing to equipment, i.e. oil changes, fluids, belts,

blades.

o Replaces blown fuses to campsite electrical pedestals.

o Turns water of and flushes water systems at the end of camping season.

o Repairs broken or vandalized signs, toilets, sinks, boat docks, picnic pavilions, and

outbuildings.

o Repairs roads with cold and hot patch asphalt.

o Conducts prescribed fire to targeted areas.

o Uses pesticides to control invasive and unwanted vegetation in targeted areas through the

preserve.

• Assumes responsibilities for absent subordinates as needed.

• Performs the duties and assumes the responsibilities of the Park Ranger in his absence.

• Shall assist in emergencies.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience, & License Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in recreation park tourism administration (RPTA), forestry or closely related

field supplemented by one year of experience in public preserve or park operation, or an

equivalent combination of experience and training.

• Strong mechanical background is preferred.

• Experience in the operation of mowers, tractors and skid steer.

• Experience with a chainsaw and tree felling.

• Ability to obtain an Illinois Pesticide License.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be willing to work weekends, holidays and work shifts that include first and second shifts

on weekends and holidays.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of forestry and parks management.

• Ability to learn and willingness to adhere to Rock Island County Forest Preserve District standards

and codes, practices, policies and procedures.

• Ability to communicate with the public tactfully and courteously.

• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Knowledge of phone systems, computers and other office equipment.

• Skill in the operation of grounds maintenance equipment, such as power mowers, tractors,

chainsaws, trimmers, leaf blowers, and related other related equipment.

• Ability and aptitude to identify needed repair and maintenance of light and heavy equipment.

• Highly desired skills for this position: welding, plumbing, rough construction, electrical,

mechanical knowledge.

Physical Requirements: Task involves the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier

physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, working in confined

spaces, and lifting or carrying moderately heavy (20-50 pound) items and occasionally very heavy (100

pounds or over) items; or may involve the complex operation of gasoline, electric, or diesel-powered

machinery or shop equipment requiring the manipulation of multiple controls, fine and adjustments or

both; or the sustained operation, on a production basis, of such devices as offset presses with associated

equipment.

Environmental Requirements: Task may require frequent exposure to adverse environmental

conditions.

Sensory Requirements: Task requires color perception and discrimination. Task requires sound

perception and discrimination. Task requires odor perception and discrimination. Task requires depth

perception and discrimination. Task requires texture perception and discrimination. Task requires visual

perception and discrimination. Task requires oral communications ability.

AASHE Member Community Digest for Monday May 12, 2025

https://www.betterfoodfoundation.org/take-action/students/

Want to make positive food systems change on your campus?

Join the DefaultVeg Internship Program to champion sustainable food systems while gaining valuable skills and experience.

The DefaultVeg Internship Program is for changemakers (like you!) who want to bring the Plant-Based Food by Default movement to their university. Equipped with essential tools and guidance, ambassadors are empowered to engage positively with university decision makers, dining staff, student clubs, offices, coffee shops, and campus event staff to advocate for adopting plant-based defaults and nudges.

Our approach emphasizes collaboration over confrontation, which is popular because it preserves freedom of choice and works anywhere food is served, from a dorm party to a dining hall. Most importantly, many DefaultVeg Ambassadors have greatly impacted campus food systems.

By encouraging your campus to adopt climate-smart, plant-forward food, you’re promoting a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and inclusive food services both on and off campus.

Sign up

 

2025 SMC Internship Opportunity

The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is seeking 1 intern to assist our planning and regulatory staff on a variety of tasks.

The successful candidate will spend time in the office and field under the guidance of SMC staff and will be involved in several phases of the Planning and Regulatory Program in support of watershed workgroups, grant inspection coordination, education and outreach, site inspections, MS4 coordinator support and GIS tasks.

Examples of office activities may include, but will not be limited to 1) Watershed Workgroup support by updating the websites, taking and organizing meeting minutes, assisting with lining up presenters, and helping with meeting notes, 2) 319 grant inspection coordination 3) creating an SMC grant tracker spreadsheet, 4) reporting on Watershed-based Plan milestones, 5) Education and Outreach support by creating project factsheets, coordinating stream clean-up requests, creating an inventory of project photos, assisting with Deicing Workshop event coordination, and updating watershed webpages 6) Central Permit Facility maintenance support by creating QR code signs, organizing speakers, organizing Seed Harvesting Event, and creating incentives for maintaining the native plant community on the green roof. 7) GIS tasks to include filling data gaps in the SMC GIS Permit database.

Examples of field activities may include but will not be limited to 1) assistance with scheduling and coordinating Des Plaines River Watershed inspections, 2) coordinating and performing field inspections under the guidance of the MS4 Coordinator 3) field inspections on various construction projects under the guidance of the SMC Regulatory Staff, 4) other assigned field tasks as needed under the guidance of SMC Planning and Regulatory staff.

To be successful in this position, candidates must possess a high level of attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills, and intermediate level knowledge of Microsoft Office products. The candidate will also possess the ability to work both inside and outside in variable conditions and be willing to engage in limited to moderately strenuous physical activity. Successful candidate must also be highly motivated, be willing to take initiative and coordinate with project managers to ensure assigned work items are completed on schedule. 

We are looking for candidates who are a graduate of, or current student in, a 2- or 4-year higher education program with an emphasis on water resource engineering, environmental science, urban planning, biology, or a related field. Basic to intermediate level experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro is desired. Every effort will be made to provide County vehicles for field use; however, candidates must have their own transportation for traveling to and from field sites, if needed. The candidate must have a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

This is an office position with regular Monday through Friday work hours (for example 8:00am – 4:30pm). Alternative work schedules are available including varying start times with the possibility for remote work opportunities depending on assignment. Candidate will work approximately 40 hours per week for up to 25 weeks, not to exceed 1,000 hours. The desired start date is flexible. Class credit may be available for these internships; please check with your academic advisor. Questions should be directed to Jeff Laramy at jlaramy@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-7709.

Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County! To learn more about the department you will be working for, visit the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Website. To learn more about other services Lake County provides and to see some of our employees in action visit our website to view videos. If you need assistance writing your resume, we have some tools to help you at our Human Resources website.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing, and may include a pre-employment medical exam at a County-approved medical facility, at no cost to the applicant. Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply for this internship, visit https://tinyurl.com/5c3xy4se

Job Location Libertyville, Illinois, United States

Position Type Intern

Salary $18.00 USD

Applications will be accepted until May 23, 2023

Nutrition minor revamp & FA25 course opportunities

 If you’ve taken NUTR 201, PHHE 295, or ENVS 210, you’re already on your way to completing a minor in Nutrition, Health, and Wellness — and now it’s easier than ever to finish!

We’ve made exciting changes to increase access and flexibility across all majors:
✅ More elective options to explore topics like Nutrition through the Lifecycle, Nutrition Education, and Nutrition in Relation to Sports and Exercise
✅ Fewer prerequisites – so you can enroll in more courses without added requirements
✅ Courses available every semester, with several offered online or in hybrid formats

Whether you're interested in health promotion, food systems, or just want to deepen your understanding of nutrition for personal or professional growth, this minor adds value to your degree and career readiness.

The department priority deadline to enroll in classes is by next Wednesday, May 14.  You will not be billed for the course until September. 

📄 Please see attached to learn more about the course offerings to achieve a minor in Nutrition, Health and Wellness
📩 Questions? Reach out to Dr. Julie Patterson at jpatterson2@niu.edu

Take the next step in building a healthier future — for yourself and others!