Palos Conservation Corps Crew Manager

Friends of the Forest Preserves; Willow Springs (IL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, short- and long-term (

Job summary

Friends of the Forest Preserves seeks a Crew Manager to lead our Palos Conservation Corps Crew in Willow Springs, IL. The role focuses on invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and leadership of a five-person team year-round.

You will supervise field operations, coordinate schedules, and train crew on restoration practices, safety, and reporting. The position emphasizes learning and career development in natural land management.

Qualifications

• 21 years or older with clean driving record.
• At least 3 years practical experience supervising crews in habitat restoration.
• Excellent knowledge of restoration best practices and plant identification.
• Strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and learning.
• Illinois Herbicide Applicator license or ability to obtain within 45 days.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR certifications.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to foster an inclusive work environment for diverse team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 5-member crew on indoor and outdoor conservation projects.
• Plan and fulfill restoration work orders, including field work and procurement.
• Train crews in herbicide application, prescribed burning, and use of motorized tools.
• Support ecological restoration education for crew members.
• Develop weekly crew schedules, training, and reporting.
• Document crew activities and assist with progress reports.
• Interview and onboard new crew members.

Skills

Leadership

Crew supervision

Communication

Safety culture

Diversity & inclusion

GPS Units

Tools

Chainsaw operation

Brush cutter

Mower operation

GPS Units

Job description

Reports to: Associate Director of Conservation Corps

Pay rate: $28.34/hour

Schedule: Full time, 36 hours per week

• Typically 9 hours/day
• 6:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Thursday. Schedule changes regularly, based on season, weather, and other requirements. Friday and Saturday work is sometimes required.

Organization:

Mission: We unite people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.

Our community advocates for the responsible management of the nearly 70,000 acres of forest preserves in Cook County through advocacy, engagement, and stewardship of the land. Some of the best natural areas in Illinois are right here in Cook County, right outside your urban backdoor. Join our team and help us ensure they are here for the next 100 years.

Friends is an organization that gets things done with our members, volunteers, staff, board, and partners. We believe in work-life balance and are here for the marathon, not the sprint (not that we don’t sprint on a regular basis).

Operating Budget: $3,750,000

Summary: Friends of the Forest Preserves (FOTFP) seeks a Crew Manager to lead our Palos Conservation Corps Crew, based in Willow Springs, Illinois. Conservation Corps members work year-round to remove invasive species and restore native habitats throughout the forest preserves in Cook County. Participants gain valuable skills and certifications that could lead to a long-term career in natural land management or other environmental jobs. We are seeking a Crew Manager to provide strong leadership in achieving the goals of the program.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise 5-member crew to work on variety of indoor and outdoor conservation projects in Forest Preserves of Cook County
• Work independently to fulfill restoration work orders and project responsibilities, including, but not limited to, year-round field work, supplies procurement, tool and vehicle maintenance, scouting, walkthroughs, and follow up treatment
• Train and lead crews for field work, herbicide application, prescribed burning, and mechanical control of invasive species using motorized equipment (brush cutters, chainsaws, mowers) and hand tools
• Assist with educating crew in ecological restoration and local ecology concepts
• Develop weekly crew schedule, training, and reporting
• Evaluate and document crew work activities and performance through compiling weekly work log data, taking and uploading crew photos, and assisting with writing quarterly and annual work progress reports
• Interview, screen, hire, and onboard all new crew members

Required Qualifications:

• 21 years or older with clean driving record
• At least 3 years practical experience working with crews to conduct habitat
• restoration
• Excellent working knowledge of restoration best practices and plant identification
• Strong commitment to creating a culture of safety, teamwork, and learning
• Current Illinois Herbicide Applicator license or ability to secure one within 45 days of hire
• Current Basic First Aid and Adult CPR certifications
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to create an inclusive working environment for a diversity of team members and partners
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects (50 lbs.) and work outside in inclement weather and extreme temperatures
• Comfortable driving an extended-bed heavy duty F250 truck (training provided)
• Flexibility for schedule changes due to trainings, burn season, and weather

Beneficial Skills/Qualifications:

• Experience with technical report writing
• Staff management/supervisory experience
• Experience teaching in classroom and/or field setting a plus
• 300 hours of chainsaw experience, 100 hours of brush cutter experience, 570 hours of herbicide experience
• Experience using GPS Units
• S290 certification and Burn Boss certification
• Experience with team leadership
• Health, dental, short- and long-term disability, and $100,000 of life insurance coverage
• 403b retirement account with 3% match after 1 year
• 3 weeks of vacation
• 2 weeks of sick time
• 11 paid holidays plus 2 additional paid days of winter break

Friends of the Forest Preserves strongly encourages people of all identities to apply. We strive to include people of every race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, and/or sexual orientation. Friends is an equal opportunity employer, in addition to observing all legal protections of special status, promoting diversity in the conservation community.