NATURAL RESOURCES ADVANCED SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Fairfield, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking to hire a Natural Resources Advanced Specialist for the Division of Fisheries. This position works on a variety of fisheries issues on rivers and streams within the jurisdiction. This position will work closely with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to collaboratively conduct the fish sampling component of annual intensive river basis surveys, be the lead investigator for pollution-related fish valuations, and collect samples for containment testing. This position will be responsible for habitat assessments as well as conservation and management activities, review permits issued by the DNR Office of Water Resources and provides recommendations, and reviews, plans, coordinates, and completes aquatic habitat enhancement and rehabilitation projects. We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental ability equivalent to a master's degree in Fisheries or a related fisheries science supplemented by two years of directly related professional fisheries experience; or requires a bachelor's degree in Fisheries or related fisheries science supplemented by four years of directly related professional experience.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
Requires appropriate, valid driver's license
Requires possession of certification as an Aquatice Pest Control Operator or ability to obtain within the first 6 months of employment
Requires ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of experience in stream ecology
Two (2) years of experience with specialized fisheries conservation equipment operation and maintenance
Two (2) years of experience in fish identification and modern fish management techniques
Two (2) years of experience preparing and maintaining records and written narrative reports
Two (2) years of experience in collecting fisheries population information, analyzing and evaluating technical data and writing technical reports
One (1) year of experience in delivering planned and impromptu informational presentations

Responsibilities

Conducts field studies to assess biological conditions, effectiveness of management activities and mitigation recommendations made in relation to river construction activities regarding river development, conservation, restoration, and enhancement projects
Reviews permits issued by the DNR Office of Water Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes recommendations concerning work being proposed
Implements fisheries management activities including habitat improvements
Coordinates with and gives direction to local government and public interest groups regarding river management, conservation, enhancement and development
Reviews other river alteration activities, such as, but not limited to, highway construction or mining and makes recommendation concerning those activities
Reviews, plans, coordinates, and completes aquatic habitat and environmental enhancement activities, including mitigation projects
Conducts fish kill investigations in collaboration with Office of Law Enforcement and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Coordinates resource management responsibilities for and is the Department's liaison with federal, state, municipal, county agencies and private water owners, sharing responsibilities for resource management
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above