Naturalist Assistant Student Employee, # 0667

Oakton College • Des Plaines, IL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Naturalist Assistant Student Employee will join the Naturalist on a wide variety of ecological endeavors on both campuses, including conservation and restoration, propagation, seasonal projects, and educational activities, mostly outside. The student will receive training in local plant and animal ID and ecological restoration concepts and techniques, providing an excellent foundation for a career in ecological restoration.

Requirements

• Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during Fall 2026 semester. To work during summer, student must be enrolled in at least one summer credit course or be enrolled in at least six credit hours for the Fall 2026 semester.
• Must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and be in good standing at Oakton College.
• Must be making satisfactory progress as defined by Oakton's Standards of Academic Progress policy toward achieving their educational goals.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English in both verbal (spoken) and written forms.
• Must be able to walk, bend, crouch, and kneel on uneven terrain for extended periods of time, and be able to withstand outdoor conditions including heat, humidity, rain, mud, dust, poison ivy, mosquitoes, and ticks.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs comfortably and use hand tools including loppers, pruners, and saws.
• Must have a working proficiency in Google Drive and basic computing.
• Eagerness to learn about native ecosystems and ecological restoration.
• Ability to work outside in all weather and incidentals, with training dealing with heat, cold, rain, sun, poison ivy, thorns, snakes, mosquitoes, and ticks.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse people.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and to walk/kneel/bend for multiple hours at a time, and to avoid trip hazards.
• Ability to use Google Drive, Google Spreadsheets, Google Docs, and other tools in the Google Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English, to read cursive handwriting, and to follow direction accurately.
• Dependable transportation required.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with power tools and/or gardening concepts is preferred.
• Priority will be given to students seeking a career in environmental restoration and related fields.

Responsibilities

• Hand-pulling and cutting invasive plants, shrubs, and trees with hand tools
• Collecting, processing, and sowing native needs
• Collecting and recording data and photographs
• Propagating plants and fungi by seed, cuttings, and plug spawn
• Assisting Naturalist with interpretive programs, groups, tours, and restoration work days, interacting with diverse people groups

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed