Resource Supervisor

 Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Job Summary

Under general direction of the Resource Operations Manager, Assistant Resource Operations Manager or their designee, supervises and coordinates the activities of field crews engaged in vegetation removal and ecosystem land management projects on the District lands. Supervises and directs Resource Management Department crew members, seasonal interns and Conservation Corps groups for assigned region. Leads staff in performing prescribed burns on District lands in accordance with prescribed standards, and assisting in preventing or suppressing wildfires; collecting seed and propagating plants; preparing areas for planting, sowing seeds, and planting native vegetation for ecological restoration. Ensures that herbicides used to control invasive plant species are applied in accordance with prescribed standards. Assists with fisheries and wildlife management projects. Assists with special events at various sites District-wide. Works closely with District staff, Conservation Corps team members and interns on various projects and assists with providing guidance and direction on resource management related work activities.

Typical Duties

Participates in and directs work activities supporting ecosystem, vegetation and trail management projects on District lands.

Supervises work planning, crew management, scheduling, administrative duties, time keeping, safe work practices and facility management on behalf of assigned work region; responsible for the daily supervision of the Resource Management Department crew members.

Responsible for assessing, planning and prioritizing a large and varied seasonal workload, incorporating emergency response work based on staffing and equipment resources.

Assists, supports, and supervises seasonal intern and Conservation Corps groups by educating and directing activities.

Develops and conducts job skill and safety trainings for crew staff, volunteers, interns, or other groups as assigned.

Assign work and monitor contractor crew for tree removal along, boundaries, trails, and roads and in groves.

Compiles and completes all associated paperwork as it relates to the work of this position, including but not limited to, time keeping, work orders, work order investigation, vehicle/equipment maintenance and use, daily reports, monthly reports and prescribed fire reports.

Operates a wide range of equipment, including but not limited to\: hand tools (i.e., shovels, rakes, axes, bow-saws, loppers, chainsaws, pole-saws, line trimmers and brush cutters), small mechanized equipment (i.e., walk behind brush mowers, lawn mowers and  all-terrain vehicles), large vehicles (i.e., dump trucks and pickup trucks equipped with trailers), and heavy equipment (i.e., skid-steers equipped with bucket or grapple, brush chippers, aerial lift trucks, log loaders, front-end loaders/backhoe, tractors equipped with forestry mulcher or rotary cutter, and bulldozers).

Performs maintenance of the District’s natural areas by removal of invasive species by means of herbicide application, mechanical control (mowing, hand cutting), and prescribed fire utilizing firsthand knowledge of the basic principles of plant ecology and related techniques.

Oversees the basic upkeep, maintenance, and inventory of equipment for assigned facility.

Supervises, leads and participates in performing prescribed burns in designated management areas and wildfire suppression according to District standards and policies; regularly leads fire crews, performs post-burn evaluations.

Uses Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to assist in recording and tracking land management activities; collaborates with other department sections to ensure consistent data collection practices and database maintenance.

Directs and participates in the manual and/or mechanical harvest, cleaning, sorting, and dispersal of native seed; assists with the growth and the maintenance of native plants; prepares areas for planting, sows seeds and assists with installation of plant plugs and/or trees on ecological restoration sites.

Performs handling, mixing, and application of herbicides using various spray equipment and protective apparel to control invasive plant species according to prescribed standards; supervises others in the application of herbicides in their capacity as a licensed Illinois Pesticide Applicator.

Directs and assists with the installation and maintenance of informational trail signage.

Allocates staff and assists with management, monitoring and research projects conducted on District properties such as plant inventories, fish surveys, wildlife studies and environmental education programs as assigned.

Allocates staff and assists with special events including but not limited to, Kids Climb, Touch-a-Truck, Cross-Cut Saw, Share the Trails and other activities and events as necessary District-wide.

Assists, supports, and supervises volunteer activities by providing guidance and direction in the use and application of tools and equipment, workday assistance or in other capacities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

 Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, ecology, arboriculture, environmental science or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least two years of work experience as a supervisor in horticultural, arboricultural, and/or other substantially similar natural resources land management field AND at least three years of work experience involving prescribed burns and/or wildfire suppression OR must possess a high school diploma or GED AND at least three years of work experience as a supervisor in horticultural, arboricultural, and/or other natural resources land management field AND at least five years of work experience involving prescribed burns  and/or wildfire suppression.

 Must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License.

 Must possess a certificate of completion of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group S130/S190 courses OR a certificate of completion of the 2-day Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training.

 Must possess an Illinois Prescribed Burn Manager certification OR the ability to provide official documentation verifying that a valid application has been submitted to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources within one year from date of hire.

 Must possess a current International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Credential.

 Must possess a valid Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s License or official documentation verifying that the examination has been taken and passed at the time of interview.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess at least one season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County; OR possess of least one season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member; OR possess at least one season of work experience on property of the Forest Preserves of Cook County with partners such as the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Chicago Botanic Garden, Audubon Great Lakes, Greencorps Chicago, Friends of the Forest Preserves, the Student Conservation Association, Cook County, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the State of Illinois or the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District?

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

 Ability to supervise, train, direct and coordinate the activities of others engaged in a variety of tasks related to ecological land management.

Knowledge of basic principles and concepts related to ecology and plant physiology.

Knowledge of and ability to perform most aspects of tree and forest management.

Knowledge of the basic principles and techniques used for restoration management.

Knowledge of and the ability to perform fire management activities as it relates to prescribed burning and wildfire suppression.

Knowledge of and the ability to perform forestry work, including tree assessments, tree inventories, tree removals and the operation of associated equipment.

Knowledge of and the ability to perform trail management work, including but not limited to, vegetation management, culvert repair and trail resurfacing.

Knowledge of appropriate techniques and ability to operate a chainsaw for felling of trees over 12-inches in diameter; ability to supervise staff in the safe operation of chainsaws and similar equipment.

Knowledge of and ability to perform prescribed pesticide application.

Ability to supervise staff and clearly communicate direction to efficiently and safely execute the work

 Ability to identify native (including endangered and threatened) and non-native plant species and have an understanding of their respective ecosystems and management techniques including, but not limited to, proper herbicide application procedures.

Knowledge of or ability to learn or apply established Land Management Guidelines.

Ability to identify insect pests.

Ability to communicate effectively with the general public and represent the District in a professional manner.

Ability to maintain grounds and equipment and make minor repairs to various types of tools and machinery used in restoration and vegetation management.

Ability to maintain the required certifications and licenses for this position as a condition of continued employment.

Ability to obtain additional certifications and licenses deemed appropriate by the District for this position.

Ability to work extended hours and hours outside normal business.

Ability to work in a hazardous work environment including but not limited to\:  exposure to fire, smoke, herbicides, stream clean-up, natural elements, inclement weather, hazardous plants and animals Ability to perform various types of physically demanding and strenuous tasks, including, but not limited to lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of moderate to heavy weight and using hand and power tools in a safe and effective manner.

Ability to work out of various locations to facilitate District operations when needed.

 The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.  They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http\://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Veteran’s Preference

 When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time.  To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application.  If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date.  Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED AT TIME OF INTERVIEW. 

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each bring to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.