NATURAL RESOURCES COORDINATOR

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a Natural Resources Coordinator for the Cache River State Natural Area. This position will interpret the recreational, educational, and ecological aspects of Cache River State Natural Area and the Cache River Wetlands joint venture partnerships (IDNR, Cypress Creek NWR, Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and Friends Groups). This position will assist in developing the program budget and create interpretive and environmental related materials for a variety of audiences, serve as lead worker and provide training to staff members and volunteers. We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision, develops interpretive and environmental programs for use on and off-site for a variety of audiences and Natural/Cultural resource-oriented programs.
• Develops and coordinates interpretive programs with Site Superintendent and Cache River Wetlands Joint venture partners and special events for evening/daytime visitor activities.
• Consults with, advises, and provides guidance and assistance to various user groups/individuals.
• Assists in planning and supervising future expansions of, as well as a preventive and corrective maintenance of visitor center, hiking trails, amphitheater, outdoor recreation areas, native prairie restoration areas, and other interpretive or recreation-related park areas.
• Participates in the development of the program budget.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science.
• Requires one year of directly related professional experience, or completion of an agency sponsored training program.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of elementary knowledge of division objectives, policies, programs, and services and state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, or natural heritage resource conservation.
• One (1) year of elementary knowledge of public relations, principles, and techniques, audio/visual and other interpretive methods, theories, and practices.
• One (1) year of elementary knowledge of budgetary planning.
• One (1) year of experience in preparing and maintaining records and written narrative reports.
• One (1) year of experience in collecting information and assisting in analyzing and evaluating technical data and reports.
• One (1) year of experience providing task-related direction and assistance to seasonal or intermittent employees, volunteers, landowners, sports enthusiasts, or the general public.
• One (1) year of experience delivering planned and impromptu informational presentations.
• One (1) year of experience developing the core site interpretive program, addressing site interpretive needs and translating those needs into meaningful outlets.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with employees with disabilities:

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.
• Ability to lift, carry and transport loads exceeding sixty (60) pounds.
• Ability to traverse rough and broken terrain on foot without mechanical assistance
• Ability to operate and maintain tools, equipment, and materials utilized in the maintenance, repair, and care of site resources, artifacts, buildings, and grounds.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job
description.

Agency and Division Statements

DNR Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting and promoting Illinois’ natural and cultural resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including, vision health and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs.
 

Office of Land Management

The Office of Land Management (OLM) oversees nearly 400 individual parcels of land and institutes a wide variety of programs and activities advocating outdoor recreation through sustainable use, conservation, and preservation. The Historic Sites Division of the Office of Land Management oversees 57 Historic Sites, Monuments, and Memorials. OLM facilitates activities from small group interpretive programming at Historical Sites, to hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, and camping.