Natural Areas Program Manager

Position Overview

This position serves as the Natural Areas Program Manager for the Department of Natural Resources.  The Natural Areas Program Manager leads the identification and evaluation of natural areas, especially the natural communities included on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory. The Program Manager evaluates eligibility of natural communities and other features that may qualify for the Inventory and develops procedures and policies for the management of natural areas. Additionally, the Program Manager works with the Division Chief and Field Management Section to identify and enroll eligible Department property in Illinois Nature Preserve Commission programs. The Program Manager will collaborate with researchers and other stakeholders to advance the conservation of natural areas in Illinois.  We welcome all applicants who would like to join this team to apply today. 

Essential Functions

• Under administrative direction, Plans manages, executes, and evaluates the statewide Natural Areas Program.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Administers and coordinates the maintenance of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.
• Coordinates the dedication, registration, and management of Department lands and waters in the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission system.
• Evaluates effectiveness of program activities, identifies research needs, and facilitates solutions to enhance program activities.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to advance the conservation of natural areas.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree in fish, wildlife, forestry or natural heritage resource management or in a related biological science.
• Requires six years progressively responsible professional experience in fish, wildlife, forestry or natural heritage resource management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers a master’s degree or higher in wildlife, botany, ecology, or zoology focused.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience directing a natural resource program, including visioning and supervising staff.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience recognizing the different natural communities of Illinois and their composition, structure, and ecological processes.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience implementing preserve design and identifying sustainable land protection or acquisition targets.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience evaluating technical data and reports and preparing and maintaining records and written narrative
  reports.

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:

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history. 
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• 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 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. 

Agency and Division Statement

DNR 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; flexible/remote work schedules may be available for certain positions.

Office of Resource Conservation

The mission of the Division of Natural Heritage to is conserve Illinois’ native flora, fauna, and natural communities through inventory, protection, and stewardship. We work with the other Divisions within the Office of Resource Conservation to provide natural resource protection and management to natural communities and rare and sensitive fish and wildlife and their habitats. We work collaboratively with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board to protect remnants of Illinois’ original natural heritage. In addition to conserving natural communities and endangered species, the Natural Heritage Division is responsible for leading Illinois’ Wildlife Action Plan and Natural Heritage Database Program. Illinois is a member of the NatureServe network.