Conservation Technician jobs in Oak Park, IL

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America's #1 conservation service organization seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students for the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps summer program within the Forest Preserves District of Cook County.

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics
• Serve as an Advisor, by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
• Act as a Project Manager, by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

• Experience working with youth or young adults, teaching or environmental education a plus
• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – i.e. trail maintenance, trail construction, habitat restoration, chainsaw, carpentry, landscaping, and gardening
• Ability to perform manual, physical labor for up to 8 hours per day, exposed to the elements and most occasionally lift and/or move 40 pounds or more
• Current First Aid and CPR certification required by the start of training
• Must be able to attend both SCA and Local Crew Leader training:
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have ability to legally work in the US
• Must have a valid driver's license for 3 years and MVR that meets SCA standards
• Must be able to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
• Must be able to obtain a State of Illinois herbicide license or are willing to obtain one before program start date;
• Knowledge of mid-western ecology, or knowledge of the forest preserves is a big plus

• Compensation: $23.00 an hour -35 hours/week
• Work Vehicle, Gas and Program Budget Card
• Obtaining WFA certification
• Alternative Herbicide License
• Building a great network of Environmental contacts
• Paid training, we offer no housing for this position.

SCA is an EOE dedicated to workforce diversity.