About Friends of the Forest Preserves

Mission: We unite people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.

Our community advocates for the responsible management of the nearly 70,000 acres of forest preserves in Cook County through advocacy, engagement, and stewardship of the land. Some of the best natural areas in Illinois are right here in Cook County, right outside your urban backdoor. Join our team and help us ensure they are here for the next 100 years.

Friends is an organization that gets things done with our members, volunteers, staff, board, and partners. We believe in work-life balance and are here for the marathon, not the sprint (not that we don’t sprint on a regular basis).

Operating Budget: $3,750,000

About the role

• Reports to: Associate Director of Conservation Corps
• Start date: Open until filled
• Locations: Ability to meet at designated meetup locations in 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 and 459 W State Rte 22, North Barrington, IL 60010.
• Pay rate: $16.75 per hour, increasing incrementally to $18.75 per hour over a 2-year period
• Schedule: 6:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Thursday. Schedule changes regularly, based on season, weather, and other requirements. Friday and Saturday work is sometimes required.

Friends of the Forest Preserves seeks a crew member to join our North Branch and Barrington Greenway Initiative  Conservation Corps Crews, based out of 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 and 459 W State Rte 22, North Barrington, IL 60010. Conservation Corps members work year-round to remove invasive species and restore native habitats throughout the forest preserves in Cook County. We are seeking a crew member to be part of a program that provides valuable skills and certifications that could lead to a long-term career in natural land management or other environmental jobs.

Responsibilities

• Work outdoors on a team of 5 people, removing invasive species using hand and power tools
• Conduct hands-on activities, such as seed collecting and prescription burning, to restore ecological health to forest preserves
• Conduct tool maintenance as required
• Participate in required training sessions

Required Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older
• Strong interest in learning about conservation and working outdoors
• Must be punctual and responsible, with the ability to work with others as a team
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects (50 lbs.) and work outside in inclement weather and extreme temperatures
• Ability to obtain a State of Illinois Pesticide Operator License and First Aid/CPR certification ability to secure one within 45 days of hire (training provided)
• Ability to obtain Forest Preserves of Cook County Feller I Chainsaw Certification, Friends Chainsaw Certification, and Chicago Wilderness Prescription Burn Training Certification (training provided)
• Some flexibility in work hours, including weekend work, is required
• Ability to meet at designated meetup location, 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 and 459 W State Rte 22, North Barrington, IL 60010

Beneficial Qualifications

• Experience working outdoors as part of a team
• Volunteer experience

Compensation

• Rate: $16.75 per hour, increasing incrementally to $18.75 per hour over a 2-year period
• 50% coverage of premiums for individual health and dental insurance, and 100% coverage of premiums for short- and long-term disability, and $100,000 of group life insurance
• 403(b) retirement account with 3% match starting at 1 year of employment
• 2 weeks of paid vacation
• 2 weeks of paid sick time
• 11 paid holidays plus 2 additional paid days of winter break

To apply

Submit cover letter, resume, and two references via the Friends' website at https://fotfp.org/who-we-are/jobs/. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please NO calls, faxes, office visits, or emails.

Friends of the Forest Preserves strongly encourages people of all identities to apply. We strive to include people of every race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, and/or sexual orientation. Friends is an equal opportunity employer, in addition to observing all legal protections of special status, promoting diversity in the conservation community.