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Position Overview

This position will support development and implementation of the comprehensive management and restoration of habitats in the Great Lakes Coastal Region from the City of Chicago to the Indiana Border. The position will be the main point of contact for the general public and other organizations on collaborations focused on habitat and ecosystem management projects and planning initiatives; will be responsible for monitoring progress conducting assessments delivering public outreach and education liaising with other organizations providing guidance and technical expertise.

Job Responsibilities

1. Under general supervision of the program manager provides technical assistance in the development and implementation of the comprehensive management and restoration of the Great Lakes coastal program located from the Chicago city limits to the Indiana border:

• Assesses observes studies and provides technical reports and professional advice to the program manager general public and other organizations on distribution and condition of coastal resources and the ecosystems for these areas.
• Resources inventories: analyzes data collected to formulate and develop plans of work and long-term plans for the advancement of the Great Lakes Restoration.

2. Conducts field and community assessments; surveys inventories and analyzes findings for the compiling reports on the progress of coastal projects:

• Provides and develops reports for watershed development including the implementation and monitoring of the status and future developments for the Illinois Lake Michigan basin.
• Analyzes data to provide reports on pollution prevention coastal initiatives non-point source projects and voluntary pollution reduction/abatement projects.

3. Provides professional and technical assistance in the preparation and delivery of public outreach and educational tools for public and private sector presentation and distribution.

• Facilitates opportunities for educational public engagements by engaging with educational partners.
• Prepares and presents educational materials for conferences workshops schools partnerships and in house staff on various coastal initiatives.
• Travels within coastal region to visit project sites and meet with partners.
• Travels up to three trips per year out of state for conferences and NOAA’s Great Lakes Regional Meeting.

4. Serves as liaison to the Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group and Shoreline Management Working Group and other groups. Provides coordination and management direction of the program.

• Reviews regulatory requirements for dredging and disposal of sediments and various coastal pollutants and/or waste removal.
• Provides interpretation guidance and technical experts for presentations on the coastal program and projects.

5. Assists managements with the preparation of specifications for grants contracts and purchases requests. Maintains contract records and assists in grant reporting.

6. Performs other duties as required or assigned that are reasonable within the scope of the above mentioned duties.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of working knowledge of flora fauna ecological and/or geological attraction identification and modern fish wildlife forestry or natural heritage management techniques.
• Two (2) years of elementary knowledge of division objectives techniques. 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 year of of experience utilizing elementary knowledge of budgetary planning in a working environment
• One (1) year of experience collecting information and assist in analyzing and evaluating technical data 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.
• Two (2) years of experience delivering sports planned and impromptu information presentations.
• Two (2) years of coursework in Coastal Management Great Lakes Ecosystems Shoreline Management or Water Resource Management.
• Two (2) years of experience in environmental impact assessments shoreline management or storm water management in coastal zones.

Employment Conditions

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment with or without reasonable accommodation to be considered for this position.

• Requires Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to travel.
• Requires ability to work in adverse conditions.
• Ability to pass background check.
• Ability to lift loads which may exceed sixty pounds.
• Ability to traverse rough and broken terrain on foot without mechanical assistance.
• Ability to use various equipment while standing in a moving boat and to negotiate a variety of natural obstacles while carrying or otherwise transporting a variety of equipment.

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.

The Office of Water Resources (OWR) is the lead state agency for water resources planning navigation floodplain management the National Flood Insurance Program water supply drought and interstate organizations on water resources. Interagency duties include the state water plan drought response flood emergency reports and the comprehensive review of Illinois water use law. OWR is responsible for construction in the shore waters of Lake Michigan construction and operation of dams construction in public bodies of water and diversion of water from Lake Michigan and withdrawal of water from three Federal lakes (Shelbyville Carlyle and Rend Lakes). The primary capital activity of the office is in urban flood damage reduction. The office assists units of local government with urban flood damage reduction projects through planning design construction and financial assistance. The urban program also features the acquisition of flood prone homes and businesses.