Outdoor Lab, Prairie Manager (FT), CFRN11620HSBS

Outdoor Lab, Prairie Manager (FT), CFRN11620HSBS

Outdoor Lab, Prairie Manager (FT), CFRN11620HSBS
The College of DuPage is a comprehensive community college located 27 miles west of downtown Chicago, vitally connected to our local area for over 50 years. We prepare students for a lifelong passion for learning on our 273-acre campus which is home to nine associate degrees and a wide variety of professional and technical certificates. Many of these credentials prepare students to seamlessly articulate into the baccalaureate programs of our higher education partner institutions.

College of DuPage is committed to student success and values an inclusive and welcoming community environment. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workforce. Our connection to the larger metropolitan area is essential to our success and provides a wealth of diverse cultural and recreational opportunities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Maintain, reconstruct, preserve and restore natural areas on campus with special emphasis on prairies.

Perform invasive species removal from prairies, marshes, woodlands.Conduct prescribed burning of prairies.Engage in restoration of natural areas.Harvest prairie seeds.Propagate and transplant native plant seedlings.Maintain trails in natural areas for educational and passive recreational use.Work cooperatively with Facilities and Grounds, Biology faculty and other college department.Monitor plant and animal communities in the natural areas.Train and supervise student workers, as applicable.Supervise volunteers and educational efforts.Attend and participate in regional natural areas meetings in Chicago area.Host regular workdays, tours, plant sales and events related to ecological restoration.Manage budget and coordinate and execute purchasing, retrieval, storage and inventory.Communicate using social media and other platforms to attract students to campus.Conduct guided tours of natural areas.

Qualifications:

• Education
  • B.S. in Biology with concentration in Ecology, Field Botany, or Wildlife Management required.
  • International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Credential, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Certified Prescribed Burn Manager preferred.
  • Same as above with courses in general or plant ecology, plant taxonomy, natural areas conservation preferred.

• Experience
  • Two years in stewardship of natural areas required.
  • Same as above and including ecological restoration, especially in Midwestern habitats preferred.

Working Conditions:

Hand tools; power equipment: chain saw, brush cutter, tiller; herbicide application (license required); light truck driving; heavy lifting.Outdoors in all weather; greenhouse work including seed stratification and seedling propagation; seedling transplanting in prairies; conduct/monitor routine prairie burns; attendance at committee meetings.This position requires a background check and drug screen.

Hiring Range:

Starting pay begins at $23.87/hr. based on experience

Competitive starting pay is dependent on education and experience. College of DuPage also offers a generous benefits plan which includes paid time off, tuition discounts for employees and dependents, medical, dental, vision effective the first day of employment, and retirement benefits in a collaborative and friendly environment.

College of DuPage is an equal opportunity employer. The College of DuPage is committed to recruiting and retaining high performing talent to our institution, continuing our tradition of excellence. We encourage all people across the broad spectrum of those communities we serve to explore and apply for positions at COD for which they believe they are qualified.

College of DuPage does not discriminate against individuals in employment opportunities, programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veterans' status, marital status, disability, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or on any other basis protected by law.

To apply, visit