Assistant Resource Project Manager - Ecological Contracts

Cook County Government; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation

Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Time

Job summary

Forest Preserve District of Cook County seeks an Assistant Resource Project Manager to coordinate land management resources, supervise staff and contractors, and manage contract specifications and bids. Responsible for ecological restoration, tree planting and hazardous tree management across district lands.

You’ll work with conservation partners and agencies, develop detailed plans, and ensure safety and compliance while supporting district priorities and budgets.

Qualifications

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least five years of full‑time professional work experience in natural area restoration, ecological, horticultural, arboricultural and/or other substantially similar landscape/agricultural work.
• Must possess at least three years of full‑time work experience in project management in an organization with large scale operations, such as a park district, municipality, state/national park, forest preserve, or contractor with large scale operations or other similar organization.
• 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 a current International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist Credential OR ability to obtain within one year from date of hire.
• Must possess a valid Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s License OR official documentation verifying that the exam has been taken and passed within six months from date of hire.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assists with prescribed burning plans and may conduct prescribed burns on appropriate District lands.
• Supervises assigned staff in all aspects of daily duties.
• Surveys and inspects trees and other woody materials on District properties to identify potentially hazardous trees and other woody vegetation maintenance needs.
• Manages all paperwork associated with work.
• Assists with coordinating and instructing training activities for District staff and volunteers, as required.
• Assists with the implementation of tree planting and maintenance programs; supervises and monitors contractors to ensure compliance with planting specifications and standards.
• Maintains tree inventory data to monitor long-term tree health, structure, density, and species composition to inform tree planting programs.
• Represents the District on various committees with outside agencies and organizations such as Chicago Wilderness, Chicago Region Trees Initiative, United States Forest Service, Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, and the City of Chicago.
• Assists with the coordination and supervision of all aspects of assigned contract land management work including, but not limited to restoration, tree removal, and tree planting.

Skills

Project management

Staff supervision

Contract administration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in forestry/biology/ecology

High school diploma or GED with 9+ years experience

Tools

GPS

GIS

Job description

Forest Preserve District of Cook County seeks an Assistant Resource Project Manager to coordinate land management resources, supervise staff and contractors, and manage contract specifications and bids. Responsible for ecological restoration, tree planting and hazardous tree management across district lands.

You’ll work with conservation partners and agencies, develop detailed plans, and ensure safety and compliance while supporting district priorities and budgets.