Kane County Forest Preserve District Seasonal and Internship Positions

 

2026 Flood Mitigation Program Management Internship Opportunity

 Flood Mitigation Program Management Intern

The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is seeking one full-time intern to provide administrative support for SMC Flood Mitigation Program. This is a long-term position, not to exceed 1,000 hours. Applicants are encouraged to review information on the Voluntary Floodplain Buyout Program at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/3973/Flood-Information-and-Programs prior to applying.

The intern will primarily work in the office, with limited field visits under the guidance of SMC staff and will support multiple phases of flood mitigation program implementation. Responsibilities include assisting with coordination and communication among SMC staff, homeowners, municipal partners, and other governmental entities; supporting project documentation, administrative records, and cost tracking; and assisting with property transfer activities related to voluntary floodplain buyout projects. Additional responsibilities include administrative support for bid and demolition activities, such as maintaining bid and demolition files; supporting bid development, openings, tabulations, and award documentation; assisting with asbestos abatement planning; supporting demolition scheduling, permitting, site documentation, and compliance; coordinating with Habitat for Humanity, recycling and reuse partners, and other Lake County departments to facilitate utility disconnects; and assisting with purchase requests, payment processing, and maintenance of accounting and budget balances. Other duties may be assigned in support of SMC program management and flood mitigation activities.

Successful candidates must have strong attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, and intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office products, as well as the ability to work both indoors and outdoors in variable conditions and perform limited to moderately strenuous physical activity. Candidates should be graduates of a two- or four-year higher education program with coursework in environmental science, geography, urban planning, hazard or disaster (particularly flood) mitigation planning, or a related field, and have an interest in local and federal government processes. Experience with ESRI ArcGIS software is desirable but not required. A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record are required, and while County vehicles will be provided for most field work, candidates must have their own transportation for travel to and from field sites if needed.

This is an office-based position with regular Monday through Friday work hours (for example, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), with alternative schedules and limited remote work options available depending on assignment. The intern will work approximately 40 hours per week for up to 25 weeks, not to exceed 1,000 hours. The desired start date is flexible, and academic credit may be available pending confirmation with the candidate’s academic advisor. Questions regarding this position may be directed to Jeff Laramy at jlaramy@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-7709. Any offer of employment is contingent upon 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/4duk8ejx

Job Location: Libertyville, Illinois

Position Type: Intern

Salary: $18.00/hour

Application Deadline: February 27, 2026

Western's Master in Environmental Management - Accepting Applications Now

 I am reaching out to share information about Western Colorado University’s Master in Environmental Management (MEM) program, which is now accepting applications for our upcoming 26-27 cohort. If you know of students interested in a graduate program focused on applied, interdisciplinary environmental problem-solving, this may be a strong fit.

 

Applicants seeking consideration in the first round of fellowship reviews are encouraged to submit their MEM application by February 15, which allows sufficient processing time to access the fellowship application ahead of the March 1 review deadline.

 

Now in its second decade, the MEM program is known for its place-based foundation, strong faculty mentorship, and flexibility for both residential and distance students. We deliver courses in a synchronous format, allowing students to engage deeply with faculty and peers either in Gunnison or remotely.

 

A defining feature of the program is the second year MEM project, during which students complete impactful work with a partner organization of their choice, often aligned with their career goals and geographic interests. For students interested in restoration-focused careers, Western also offers a standalone Ecosystem Restoration Certificate, which students can pursue independently or alongside graduate study.

 

We are also in the process of refining and strengthening our curriculum, with several exciting updates planned for announcement later this spring. If you’d like to receive updates as these developments are released, I encourage you to complete our brief interest form here: https://admissions.western.edu/register/?id=496fca03-4003-463d-99bd-48b47ffdcef2

WoSTEM February Lecture: Dr. Karen Samonds

Dr. Karen Samonds from NIU was the inaugural winner of the Carla Montgomery Memorial Award for Faculty and thus will be the speaker for the Women in STEM lecture series this semester. Her talk is entitled Unearthing stories: A woman’s journey through fossils, fieldwork, and family. Thus, I think her work will be of broad interest to students and faculty across STEM, health, humanities, and gender and women's studies fields.  

Who: Dr. Karen Samonds from NIU 

When: Thursday, February 19th, 12:30-1:30  

Where: Founders Memorial Library Staff Lounge, which is on the ground floor next to Einstein's Bagels.  

RSVP Here is optional but encouraged.   

A light lunch will be served. 

As always, Women in STEM events are open to everyone and are intended as a forum to provide inspiration and connection for all people working across fields where women are often underrepresented. Lunch will be served. This is an honors engaged eligible event. 

Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit!

 

We’re excited to share that registration is now open for the 21st Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit! This annual gathering brings together community voices, lived experience, and bold ideas to advance food justice across Chicago and beyond. Pull up, bring a friend, and be part of the movement for food justice. We can’t wait to gather with you.

Registration is FREE and open to all!

🗓 March 11–13 

REGISTER HERE!

¡Nos emociona compartir que ya está abierta la inscripción para la 21ª Cumbre Anual de Justicia Alimentaria de Chicago! Este encuentro reúne voces comunitarias, experiencias vividas e ideas audaces para avanzar la justicia alimentaria en Chicago y más allá. Acompáñanos, invita a alguien más y sé parte del movimiento por la justicia alimentaria. Nos encanta la idea de poder reunirnos pronto.
 

La inscripción es GRATUITA y está abierta para todas las personas! 

🗓 11–13 de marzo

¡Regístrese hoy!

**This event is organized in partnership with Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE). CFPAC and the 21st Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit is supported in part by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded to Cook County Department of Public Health from Cook County Government.