Conservation Director

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking to hire a Conservation Director for Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. This position will coordinate the activites of nine (9) member, Governor appointed, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) and serve as a full supervisor for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission staff, which includes developing, reviewing, and approving plans of work for nature preserves, develops and oversees budget plan, and works with other IDNR offices and Divisions to set priorities for land acquisition, natural areas stewardship and defense of protected sites using Natural Areas Aquisition Funds. We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

• Manages the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, (INPC)
• Serves as full supervisor
• Coordinates and reviews through subordinate staff the process of landowner requests, research permits, land and water registrations, lease agreements and property easements
• Consults with the state, federal, and international agencies on regional, national, and international wildlife manangement issues, policy, and regulations.
• Develops and oversees budget plan to meet Commission and staff needs
• Works with other IDNR Offices and Divisions to set priorities for land acquisition, natural areas stewardship and defense of protected sites using Natural Areas Acquistion Funds
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonable with the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with course work in natural resource management, parks and recreation, or natural sciences.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in environmental protection, natural resources preservation, and/or environmental management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences or related degree including but not limited to: Zoology, Biology, Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Forestry, Aquatic Ecology, etc
• Three (3) years of professional experience supervising a staff of five (5) or more employees
• Three (3) years of experience in natural resources management. 
• Three (3) years of experience in developing employee work plans or organizational strategic planning
• Three (3) year of managing a budget or funds in a public or private entity
• Three (3) years of experience in development or review of site management plans
• Three (3) years of experience in public speaking and delivering presentations to diverse audiences
• Three (3) years of experience in the application of state and local laws that provide legal protection for high quality natural areas

Employment Conditions

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

• Requires completion of background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• Requires ability to work overtime as needed and be available, as necessary
• Requires ability to work flexible hours outside of normal office hours.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings. 

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

Division Statement

Illinois Nature Preserves Commission

The mission of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) is to assist private and public landowners in protecting high quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species; in perpetuity, through voluntary dedication or registration of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. The Commission promotes the preservation of these significant lands and provides leadership in their stewardship, management, and protection.