Natural Areas Restoration Technician

PARK DIST OF HIGHLAND PARK•Highland Park, IL

12d•$28 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction and supervision of the Natural Areas Manager and responsible to the Director of Parks, the Natural Areas Restoration Technician is responsible for natural areas management and planning, and other park operations projects as assigned. May be responsible for training and providing day-to-day task instruction for seasonal employees and/or volunteers.

Requirements

Two-year college associates degree or higher in Environmental Studies, Natural Areas Management, Forestry, or strongly related study and/or two years supervised field experience in natural areas restoration required.
A working knowledge of local flora, basic ecological principles and natural areas management techniques is essential.
Planting and care of landscape materials; drainage techniques
Operation of light and heavy mechanical construction equipment
Use of chain saws, clearing saws, snow blowers, power tools, hand sprayers and hand tools
Herbicides and their proper uses, mixing, application, storage, and disposal
Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel
Use of floristic Quality Analysis software and other monitoring related computer programs.
Basic construction methods
American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification or ability to obtain
Valid driver's license required.
Must obtain and keep current with the State of Illinois Pesticide Operator License (be able to obtain within 6 months of hire)
S-130 and S-190 Burn Certification or acceptable equivalent (be able to obtain within 6 months of hire)
Regularly required to stand; walk and talk or hear.
Frequently required to climb or balance; reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle or feel; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
Occasionally required to sit and taste or smell.
Must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Nice To Haves

Experience with prescribed burning preferred.
Familiarity with GIS/GPS mapping software and hardware preferred.

Responsibilities

Control brush and exotic weeds, including cutting with use of hand and power tools; application of herbicide by hand and spray methods; and removal by means of hauling and/or properly constructed brush pile burns.
Ability to identify native trees, shrubs and flora in the field, as well as collect native grass and forb seeds at proper times and provide for correct storage, preparation, and inclusion in habitat specific seed mixes.
Propagate native plants from seed and cuttings in greenhouse and garden settings especially regarding supplying material for upcoming volunteer events.
Plant plugs, bare rootstock, seeds, shrubs, and/or saplings, containerized and ball and burlap trees.
Assist with prescribed burn planning and execution.
Planning, design, and installation of plants in demonstration natural areas- naturalized gardens and rain gardens.
Mowing Park District turf using walk-behind and riding equipment.
Turf maintenance: seeding, sodding, watering, and aerating.
Weed management including hand, mechanical, and chemical control methods.
Trimming trees and shrubs using hand tools and power equipment.
Removal of garbage and refuse materials from parks and natural areas.
Inspect, repair, construct, paint, and clean all park amenities.
General asphalt path repair including patching.
General road repair including gravel road.
Assist in research and monitoring projects for vegetative cover, plant species of concern, hydrology, and wildlife.
Prepare and maintain accurate written records and reports as directed by the Natural Areas Manager, including GPS mobile and GIS mapping software.
Perform data quality checks and analysis for water monitoring projects.
Plan and facilitate scheduled and requested group and corporate volunteer workdays in natural areas.
Prepare and execute volunteer workdays and activities to include providing day-to-day training for volunteers on daily tasks and safety; lead workdays and activities on their own or in the absence of the Natural Areas Manager.
Must be available for occasional weekend special events (estimated 3-4 per year) including River Day, Arbor Day, and September Adopt-a-Beach.
On and off-road driving/operation of Park District vehicles.
Inspect and repair park equipment, amenities, and facilities.
Tree felling and pruning.
Streambank erosion control.
Maintain all equipment and hand tools.
Assist with set up and take down of programs and special events as necessary.
General landscape and turf maintenance, and cleanup of park facilities as needed.
Attend seminars and workshops to provide for professional growth.
Communicate matters of departmental interest or importance to the Natural Areas Manager in a timely manner.
Offer suggestions to improve job efficiency and quality while keeping the best interests of the District in mind.
Customer service; including addressing patron concerns.
On a scheduled on-call basis, including weekends, assist with District snow removal efforts from designated parking lots, sidewalks, roads, driveways, and pedestrian paths.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical Insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO or PPO)
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
4 Weeks Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
Company Paid Group Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
Pension/Benefit Plan (IMRF)
Deferred Compensation Plans
Flexible Spending Accounts (Health and Dependent Care)
Ten (10) Paid Federal Holidays
Paid Vacation
Three (3) Floating Holidays
Twelve (12) Paid Sick Days
Incentivized Wellness Program
Health & Fitness Membership
Outdoor Pool Membership and Seasonal Beach Access
Program and Facility Discounts on a variety of recreational activities including Golf, Racquet Sports, and Ice Skating.