Ecological Restoration Technician Lakes

Title: Ecological Restoration Technician, Lakes & Shorelines

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Natural Areas

Reports to: Managing Ecologist, Lakes and Shorelines and Woman's Board Curator of Aquatics

Seasonal Full-time: The employment term for these positions begins in April/May and continues through at least August, with several workers' schedules expected to extend until late November/December. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

About the Garden: The Garden's mission is grounded in the belief that caring for gardens and natural areas is fundamentally important to the well-being of everyone. We strive to make our campuses and programs available and accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We value diversity in all its forms and at every level of our organization-board, staff, volunteers, and vendors. Through the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, the Garden is more effectively able to create extraordinary and welcoming experiences for our increasingly diverse audiences.

About our natural areas: The Garden's natural areas encompass 60 percent of our 385-acre campus in Glencoe (located 25 miles north of Chicago). They represent prairie, woodland, and aquatic habitats, and are stewarded by a team of ecologists to support, showcase, and better understand the unique and diverse natural history of our region. We use stewardship techniques like prescribed burning and invasive species control to support the widest diversity of appropriate native species in each habitat type. We also encourage and support research, conducted in partnership with other staff in the Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, and are dedicated to monitoring to assess long-term change and impacts of our stewardship efforts. The person in this role will spend a majority of their time in our shorelines, which weave our natural areas and formal gardens together. Five of our six miles of shorelines have been restored using bioengineering techniques and more than half a million native wetland plants (representing 240-plus species) to stabilize shoreline soils, increase resilience to flooding, improve water quality in our six lakes, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Position overview: These seasonal positions (ranging from 16 to 35 weeks) start between early April and mid-May. Individuals in this role help to maintain our native shoreline plantings through removal of weedy/invasive plant and algae species, replanting due to plant mortality or herbivory, and other maintenance activities to support robust plant communities and aesthetic shoreline conditions. Staff in this position are provided with an exceptional opportunity to learn identification of 240 taxa of native wetland plants while gaining a better understanding of lake shoreline erosion control strategies and shoreline ecology. They will also be part of our new career pathway program called the Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas (SENA) internship program, which launched in 2023. As participants in our SENA program, individuals in this role will spend the equivalent of 4 days per week conducting stewardship-related activities primarily in our lakes and shorelines with Garden ecologists. The equivalent of 1 day per week will be dedicated to training in understanding and caring for natural areas, as well as inclusive leadership and other career development opportunities. These 8 hours may be nonconsecutive and distributed throughout the week. The employment term for these positions begins in April/May and continues through at least August, with several workers' schedules expected to extend until late November/December. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Natural areas stewardship, 4 days per week:

• Maintain shoreline plantings
• Removal of weedy/invasive plant and algae species
• Replanting due to plant mortality or herbivory
• Other maintenance activities to support robust communities and aesthetic shoreline conditions

Training and career development, 1 day or 8 nonconsecutive hours per week:

• Work with SENA program manager and Garden staff to set and work toward learning goals that will support continued career development.
• With other SENA participants and Garden staff as well as other external partners, participate in workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one or team-based projects to enhance skills and expertise in target areas.
• Assist with native species monitoring and other projects conducted in collaboration with department scientists, students, and other staff.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors

VALUES

As an organization, we...

BEHAVIORS

As an organization, we...

Prioritize a culture of GROWTH.

We commit to remaining curious in how we approach our work.

• Create and maintain spaces for learning.
• Test new ideas and are willing to take risks to achieve our vision.
• Collaborate to strengthen our skills and impact.
• Demonstrate perseverance and humility as we work toward our long-term impact.

Seek to UNDERSTAND.

We seek to understand others from their perspective.

• Provide opportunities for input and feedback from others.
• Actively listen to all points of view.
• Consider individuals' lived experiences.
• Advocate for and protect time for reflection especially during times of conflict or confusion.

See one another through a lens of RESILIENCE.

We believe that all individuals can experience good outcomes with support.

• Give others the space to balance work and personal needs.
• Support others and demonstrate empathy especially during challenging and stressful times.
• Seek opportunities to learn from and about one another.
• Ask questions about and anticipate the needs of others.

Build TRUST through TRANSPARENCY.

We hold ourselves and others accountable by centering decision making that honors all people.

• Communicate information in a timely manner.
• Provide clarity in complex situations with the goal of common understanding.
• Discuss both positive and negative outcomes openly.
• Evaluate the impacts of our actions.

Qualifications:

• Some experience with natural areas restoration or conservation work, or related experience working outdoors over a range of conditions.
• Experience with or an interest in learning plant species of the Chicago region, including the use of dichotomous keys to identify plant species.
• Possess a high comfort level being in and around water along with an ability to swim should the need arise in an emergency.
• A valid driver's license and a good driving record.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

Physical Demands: Frequent, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, lifting, and pushing, including outdoors in inclement weather. Exposure to poison ivy, bees, ticks, mosquitoes, pollen, other potential allergens, and wildlife. Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

To Apply: To apply, submit an application and upload a resume. Please do not submit a cover letter; instead, complete the 3 questions provided in the application process. For questions about the role, completing the application, or the Stewardship and Ecology of Natural Areas internship program, please contact Tatiana Guider ). Application reviews will begin on January 22, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. This job posting will close on January 21, 2024.

Why Apply? Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call to contact our Title IX coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.