Environmental Career Center
Objective
Assist with natural resource management on lands owned by the Natural Land Institute across northwest Illinois, supporting and upholding the Mission.
Responsibilities
Assist with restoration and land management activities, including invasive species control, native seed collecting and processing, prescribed burning, and native plantings, which may include plant propagation/cultivation.
Perform safe handling of herbicides and mechanical equipment to control exotic and invasive species.
Conduct annual site monitoring and reporting for fee owned lands and conservation easements using the LANDSCAPE program.
Organize work and oversee tasks for stewardship’s seasonal employees.
Work with volunteers on natural resource management projects and workdays at NLI properties.
Conduct ecological inventories and develop database(s) of flora and fauna at NLI properties.
Maintain monthly activity records and daily timesheets detailing accomplishments and keeping neat and accurate records.
Maintain and safely operate equipment and motor vehicles.
Perform tasks such as wildlife monitoring (e.g., aquatic turtles), trail camera monitoring, GPS mapping of invasive plants, and locating sources of native plant seed.
Prepare for public events as requested and any other activities requested by the supervisor.
Desirable Skills
Knowledge of Illinois flora and fauna, especially in northwestern Illinois.
Candidate should hold or be seeking a degree in natural resources management or a closely related field; significant field experience may be substituted.
Prescribed Burn training such as the Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Training or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S‑130/190.
Ability to competently and safely use and maintain equipment needed in restoration activities, including skid steers, tractors, UTVs, pumps, chainsaws, clearing saws, etc.
Possession of or ability to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License.
Proven ability to work independently.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships with volunteers.
Knowledge of word processing and database programs.
Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS and GPS receivers preferred.
Maintain meaningful and accurate records.
Requirements
Possession of an Illinois driver's license.
Illinois Department of Agriculture Pesticide Operators license within two months of employment.
Ability to physically implement strenuous natural resource management tasks in all seasons and weather conditions, including the ability to lift 50 lbs.
Hours This is a full‑time salaried position. Work primarily begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 West Rockton Road, Rockton, Illinois. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, with the ability to flex hours as needed. Approximately 90% of the work is in the field and 10% is office work.
Compensation This position has a salary range of $40,000–$50,000 a year dependent on experience. Benefits include two weeks vacation, two weeks sick leave, three personal days, and eleven holidays. NLI pays health insurance for an employee at the rate of 80% of the group premium; employees are responsible for 20% of the group premium. NLI funds a health‑related flexible spending account with $500 a year. NLI carries worker’s compensation insurance. Employees are eligible to direct funds to a tax‑deferred 403(b) retirement plan.
Equal Opportunity Employer NLI is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity in the workplace.
To Apply Please send completed resume, cover letter, and three references to the attention of Zach Grycan, Director of Stewardship at info@naturalland.org by December 8, 2025.
About NLI Natural Land Institute is a 67‑year old accredited land trust for 12 counties in Northern Illinois. NLI currently owns and manages 25 preserves totaling 3,491 acres and holds 53 conservation easements on 4,630 acres. Its mission is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals.
Webpage http://www.naturalland.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Assist with restoration and land management activities, including invasive species control, native seed collecting and processing, prescribed burning, and native plantings, which may include plant propagation/cultivation.
Perform safe handling of herbicides and mechanical equipment to control exotic and invasive species.
Conduct annual site monitoring and reporting for fee owned lands and conservation easements using the LANDSCAPE program.
Organize work and oversee tasks for stewardship’s seasonal employees.
Work with volunteers on natural resource management projects and workdays at NLI properties.
Conduct ecological inventories and develop database(s) of flora and fauna at NLI properties.
Maintain monthly activity records and daily timesheets detailing accomplishments and keeping neat and accurate records.
Maintain and safely operate equipment and motor vehicles.
Perform tasks such as wildlife monitoring (e.g., aquatic turtles), trail camera monitoring, GPS mapping of invasive plants, and locating sources of native plant seed.
Prepare for public events as requested and any other activities requested by the supervisor.
Desirable Skills
Knowledge of Illinois flora and fauna, especially in northwestern Illinois.
Candidate should hold or be seeking a degree in natural resources management or a closely related field; significant field experience may be substituted.
Prescribed Burn training such as the Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Training or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S‑130/190.
Ability to competently and safely use and maintain equipment needed in restoration activities, including skid steers, tractors, UTVs, pumps, chainsaws, clearing saws, etc.
Possession of or ability to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License.
Proven ability to work independently.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships with volunteers.
Knowledge of word processing and database programs.
Knowledge of ESRI ArcGIS and GPS receivers preferred.
Maintain meaningful and accurate records.
Requirements
Possession of an Illinois driver's license.
Illinois Department of Agriculture Pesticide Operators license within two months of employment.
Ability to physically implement strenuous natural resource management tasks in all seasons and weather conditions, including the ability to lift 50 lbs.
Hours This is a full‑time salaried position. Work primarily begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 West Rockton Road, Rockton, Illinois. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, with the ability to flex hours as needed. Approximately 90% of the work is in the field and 10% is office work.
Compensation This position has a salary range of $40,000–$50,000 a year dependent on experience. Benefits include two weeks vacation, two weeks sick leave, three personal days, and eleven holidays. NLI pays health insurance for an employee at the rate of 80% of the group premium; employees are responsible for 20% of the group premium. NLI funds a health‑related flexible spending account with $500 a year. NLI carries worker’s compensation insurance. Employees are eligible to direct funds to a tax‑deferred 403(b) retirement plan.
Equal Opportunity Employer NLI is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity in the workplace.
To Apply Please send completed resume, cover letter, and three references to the attention of Zach Grycan, Director of Stewardship at info@naturalland.org by December 8, 2025.
About NLI Natural Land Institute is a 67‑year old accredited land trust for 12 counties in Northern Illinois. NLI currently owns and manages 25 preserves totaling 3,491 acres and holds 53 conservation easements on 4,630 acres. Its mission is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals.
Webpage http://www.naturalland.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr