North Branch Conservation Corps Assistant Crew Manager

Friends of the Forest Preserves is hiring a North Branch Conservation Corps Assistant Crew Manager in Chicago, IL. The role involves supervising a 5-person crew, leading outdoor conservation projects, and training members in ecological restoration. The position is full-time, typically requiring 36 hours per week with a pay rate of $20.60/hour. Candidates must be 21+, have a clean driving record, and possess relevant skills in conservation and teamwork.
North Branch Conservation Corps Assistant Crew Manager

Reports to: North Branch Conservation Corps Crew Manager

Start date: ASAP

Pay rate: $20.60/hour

Schedule: Full Time Position (36 hours per week)
• Typically 9 hours/day
• 6:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Thursday. Schedule changes regularly, based on season, weather, and other requirements. Friday and Saturday work is sometimes required.

Organization:

Mission: We unite people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.

Our community advocates for the responsible management of the nearly 70,000 acres of forest preserves in Cook County through advocacy, engagement, and stewardship of the land. Some of the best natural areas in Illinois are right here in Cook County, right outside your urban backdoor. Join our team and help us ensure they are here for the next 100 years.

Friends is an organization that gets things done with our members, volunteers, staff, board, and partners. We believe in work-life balance and are here for the marathon, not the sprint (not that we don’t sprint on a regular basis).

Operating Budget: $3,750,000

Summary: Friends of the Forest Preserves (FOTFP) seeks an Assistant Crew Manager who will help lead our North Branch Conservation Corps Crew, based in Chicago, IL. Conservation Corps members work year-round to remove invasive species and restore native habitats throughout the forest preserves in Cook County. Participants gain valuable skills and certifications that could lead to a long-term career in natural land management or other environmental jobs. We are seeking an Assistant Crew Manager to provide strong leadership in achieving the goals of the program.

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.
• Assist with the development and training of crew members in ecological restoration and local ecology concepts.
• Lead project work when the crew manager is unavailable. This may include leading multiple Conservation Corps crews.
• Perform independent field work in the forest preserves including scouting project sites, checking on previously completed projects, performing equipment maintenance, and other tasks as assigned.
• 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.
• Any other assistance the crew manager assigns.

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

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

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

To apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and two references via the Friends’ website at https://fotfp.org/who-we-are/jobs/. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please NO calls, faxes, office visits, or emails.

Friends of the Forest Preserves strongly encourages people of all identities to apply. We strive to include people of every race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, and/or sexual orientation. Friends is an equal opportunity employer, in addition to observing all legal protections of special status, promoting diversity in the conservation community.