Coastal Resources Specialist: Water & Grants

Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Coastal Resources Specialist in the Office of Water Resources to support reporting for federal grants, manage coastal pass-through grants, and provide technical support to coastal communities and partners across the Great Lakes region.

Responsibilities include coordinating work plans, advancing coastal initiatives, and developing partnerships to protect Lake Michigan and other coastal resources.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental ability equivalent to a master's degree in outdoor recreation, natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science; or requires a bachelor's degree in the field supplemented by two years of directly related professional experience.
• Two (2) years experience identifying emerging state level coastal management issues and opportunities, such as adaptive management required to address climate change, water quality, port and waterfront economic redevelopment, and public outreach.
• Two (2) years experience facilitating and participating in networks, teams, work groups or communities of practice.
• Two (2) years experience developing and tracking budgets and progress for multiple concurrent projects and/or tasks.
• Two (2) years experience writing technical reports, grants proposals or land management plans.
• Two (2) years collecting information to analyze and evaluate technical data and reports.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision, serves as a project manager to plan, coordinate and implement projects or programs to advance the protection, preservation, enhancement and stewardship of Illinois’ natural and coastal resources.
• Participates in developing, implementing and tracking of the annual plan of work for the Illinois Coastal Management Program, providing input into the budgets and work plans for federal grants that support the program.
• Participates in regional planning efforts (Great Lakes region and the Illinois coastal region), meetings, workshops and conferences to advance Illinois’ coastal initiatives and coordination with coastal partners.
• Provides technical support to local coastal stakeholders.
• Leads or assists with development of educational or interpretive signage, displays, materials or electronic media to advance the protection, preservation, enhancement and stewardship of Illinois’ coastal resources.
• Develops working relationships with Department staff as well as external partners; complies with all Departmental policies, procedures and safety rules and regulations.
• Documents progress and maintains files in accordance with Department policies as well as federal grant reporting requirements.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties outlined above.

Education

Master's degree in outdoor recreation, natural heritage resource management, or related biological, life or natural science

Bachelor's degree in field plus two years related professional experience

Job description

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Coastal Resources Specialist in the Office of Water Resources to support reporting for federal grants, manage coastal pass-through grants, and provide technical support to coastal communities and partners across the Great Lakes region.

Responsibilities include coordinating work plans, advancing coastal initiatives, and developing partnerships to protect Lake Michigan and other coastal resources.