NATURAL RESOURCES ADVANCED SPECIALIST

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a Natural Resources Advanced Specialist for the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). This position will serve as the CREP Private Lands Ecologist, providing natural resource planning, technical assistance, enrollment coordination, program development and resource data management. For over 25 years, Illinois CREP has established State, Federal and local partnerships to provide conservation incentives for Illinois private landowners, Illinois CREP offers long-term conservation contracts, paired with conservation easements, to improve water quality, capture nutrient runoff, reduce stream sedimentation and establish critical fish and wildlife habitat on private lands within the Illinois and Kaskaskia River Watersheds. As one of the oldest and most popular CREP programs in the nation, Illinois CREP has achieved restoration and long-term protection of over 90,000 acres throughout the state of Illinois. We welcome all interested candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

• Under general direction of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Manager, serves as the CREP Private Lands Ecologist.
• Provides coordination and technical assistance for the CREP easement enrollment process.
• Provides technical recommendations and collaborates on all aspects of CREP program development.
• Assists and facilitates CREP Data Management.
• Conducts outreach and promotes CREP through articles, publications and presentations to partners, stakeholders, and private landowners. Conducts research on a variety of conservation disciplines.
• Performs other duties required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental ability equivalent to a master's degree in outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science supplemented by two years of directly
related professional experience or requires a bachelor's degree in the field supplemented by four years of directly related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience implementing U.S. Farm Bill conservation programs and conservation practices on private lands.
• One (1) year of experience developing a major statewide natural resource program or facility operation.
• Three (3) years of progressively advanced experience acquiring or encumbering real estate for the conservation of natural resources.
• Three (3) years of progressively advanced professional experience providing natural resource planning and technical assistance impacting water quality, wildlife, forestry, fish and natural heritage natural resources.
• Three (3) years of professional experience evaluating or monitoring natural resource conservation practices.
• Three (3) years of professional experience utilizing knowledge of Illinois’ flora, fauna, ecological resources and natural areas management techniques.
• Three (3) years of professional experience applying published natural resource conservation standards, theories, principles and practices to implement water quality, wildlife, forestry, fish and natural heritage resource conservation management planning.
• Three (3) year of knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fish, wildlife, forestry, or natural heritage resource conservation.
• One (1) year of experience providing technical direction to lower-level natural resource professionals, supportive staff, and others employing the services of the department.

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 and employees with disabilities:

1. Requires the completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
2. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
3. Ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
4. Ability to walk over rough or broken terrain on foot without mechanical assistance while carrying or otherwise transporting a variety of equipment.
5. Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions. 

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 Statement

Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the 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 health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs.

Division of Priviate Lands

The mission of the IDNR Division of Private Lands is to assist Illinois landowner with the conservation and stewardship of natural resources on private lands, for the benefit of current and future generations through partnerships, education, and technical assistance.