Palos Conservation Corps Assistant Crew Manager

The Palos Conservation Corps Assistant Crew Manager at Friends Of The Forest Preserves is a full-time role in Willow Springs, IL, focusing on leading a team of five in outdoor conservation projects. Responsibilities include supervising crew members, conducting fieldwork, documenting activities, and fostering a culture of safety and teamwork. Candidates must be 21+, have a clean driving record, and possess or acquire relevant certifications. The position emphasizes conservation and community engagement.
About the position

The Palos Conservation Corps Assistant Crew Manager position at Friends of the Forest Preserves is a full-time role based in Willow Springs, Illinois. The Assistant Crew Manager will play a crucial role in leading and supervising a team of five crew members engaged in outdoor conservation projects within the Forest Preserves of Cook County. This position is vital for the management and execution of ecological restoration efforts, including the removal of invasive species and the restoration of native habitats. The successful candidate will assist in the development and training of crew members, ensuring they gain valuable skills and certifications that can lead to long-term careers in natural land management or other environmental fields. The Assistant Crew Manager will be responsible for leading project work in the absence of the Crew Manager, which may involve overseeing multiple Conservation Corps crews. The role requires independent fieldwork, including scouting project sites, checking on previously completed projects, and performing equipment maintenance. Additionally, the Assistant Crew Manager will document crew activities and performance, compile weekly work logs, and assist in writing bi-monthly work progress reports. This position is not only about managing tasks but also about fostering a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous learning among crew members. The work schedule typically consists of 36 hours per week, with shifts from 6:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. However, the schedule may change based on seasonal demands, weather conditions, and other requirements, with occasional work on Fridays and Saturdays. The organization emphasizes a work-life balance and is committed to the long-term stewardship of the forest preserves in Cook County, making this an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about conservation and community engagement.

Responsibilities
• Assist with the management and supervision of a 5-person crew to work on outdoor conservation projects in the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
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• Assist with the development and training of crew members in ecological restoration and local ecology concepts.
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• Lead project work when the crew manager is unavailable, which may include leading multiple Conservation Corps crews.
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• Perform independent field work in the forest preserves, including scouting project sites, checking on previously completed projects, and performing equipment maintenance.
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• Document crew member work activities and performance through compiling weekly work log data, timesheets, taking and uploading photos and Instagram posts, and assisting with writing bi-monthly work progress reports.
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• Provide any other assistance as assigned by the crew manager.

Requirements
• Must be 21 years or older with a clean driving record.
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• Experience working with field crews.
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• Current Illinois Herbicide Applicator license or ability to secure one within 45 days of hire (training provided).
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• Current Basic First Aid and Adult CPR certifications (training provided).
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• Strong commitment to creating a culture of safety, teamwork, and learning.
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• Knowledge of native and invasive plant species in the Chicago Region.
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• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
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• Ability to lift and move heavy objects (50 lbs.) and work outside in inclement weather and extreme temperatures.
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• Comfortable driving a heavy-duty pickup truck (training provided).
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• Flexibility for schedule changes due to trainings, burn season, and weather.

Nice-to-haves
• Minimum 150 hours of recorded chainsaw operation.
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• Minimum 570 hours of recorded herbicide application.
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• Experience teaching in a classroom and/or field setting.
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• Experience using Google Docs, Sheets, and Gmail.
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• Great problem solving/troubleshooting skills.

Benefits
• Health and dental insurance
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• Short- and long-term disability insurance
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• $100,000 of life insurance
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• 403b retirement account with 3% match starting at 1 year of employment
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• 3 weeks of vacation
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• 2 weeks of sick time
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• 11 paid holidays plus 2 additional paid days of winter break