Ecologist

The Chicago Botanical Garden is seeking an Ecologist to manage natural areas, support applied research, and mentor a diverse team. Responsibilities include stewardship of plant communities, supervising technicians, and collaborating with other departments. Candidates should have experience in natural areas restoration, chainsaw operation, and mentoring. The position is based in Glencoe, IL, and requires familiarity with local plant species and a valid driver's license.
Position Overview: The ecologist works with the Garden’s managing ecologists to collaboratively manage the Garden’s natural areas (including our woods, prairie, river, lakes, and shorelines) while supporting applied research and helping to grow our new Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) program. This includes working with other staff in the Garden’s Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, as well as staff and programs throughout the Garden to help support related on-site applied research, learning, and community engagement activities. This includes ensuring a welcoming environment and helping to supervise and mentor a diverse team of SENA technicians and volunteers.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:
• STEWARDSHIP (65%): Work with the Garden’s managing ecologists to develop and manage diverse plant communities in natural areas to support native plant species diversity and ecological integrity. Actively manage barrier species (including the use of herbicides); mow; participate in and prepare burn breaks for prescribed burns; remove and oversee the removal of hazardous trees; maintain trails, paths, deer fence, and appearance (e.g., litter collection) associated with the natural areas including woodland roadways and boundaries; and related activities. Collect, clean, and sow seeds and plant native species. Assist managing ecologists in the native seed nursery in planting, weeding, and seed collection. Maintain herbicide application equipment and tools. Prepare herbicide mixes when requested by the natural areas staff and keep record of herbicide use.
• MENTORING (30%): Ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment. Support managing ecologists in supervising, mentoring, and training SENA technicians and volunteers.
• APPLIED RESEARCH (3%): Assist managing ecologists and research ecologist with native species monitoring in our natural areas. Support development of applied research projects in collaboration with staff ecologists, Garden scientists, undergraduate and graduate students in the plant biology and conservation (PBC) program, and outside collaborators in support of restoration ecology and stewardship at the Garden and regionally.
• INTERNAL COLLABORATION (2%): Actively collaborate with other Garden departments as necessary to execute work responsibilities, including Construction, Grounds, and Horticulture, as well as Learning/Engagement and Interpretation to support programs, classes, and interpretation that help diverse audiences learn about and experience the Garden’s natural areas.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

Required
• Minimum three years of hands-on experience in natural areas restoration, stewardship, and prescribed burning
• Minimum one year of chainsaw experience
• Minimum one year of mentoring individuals from different backgrounds as they conduct restoration and stewardship practices
• High comfort level being in and around water along with an ability to swim should the need arise in an emergency
• Familiarity with plants of the Chicago region or upper Midwest
• Ability to key plant species out using a dichotomous key
• Familiarity with midwestern barrier plant species (e.g., buckthorn, lesser celandine) and related stewardship approaches
• Valid driver’s license insurable by the Garden

Preferred
• Use of ropes and mechanical devices for safely felling mature, hazardous trees
• Experience with different habitat monitoring approaches to inform stewardship activities
• Possess Illinois pesticide applicator license and s130/s190/Chicago Wilderness prescribed burning certification
• Mechanical ability to use and do minimum equipment maintenance on tools such as chainsaws, brush cutters, string trimmers, pumps, and leaf blowers

Physical Demands: Frequent, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, lifting, pushing, working, and walking outdoors on uneven terrain and wetland habitats, including during inclement weather. Exposure to poison ivy, bees, ticks, mosquitoes, pollen, other potential allergens, and wildlife. Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds. Licensed driver insurable by the Society.

Tagged as: Conservation