Ranger Assistant - South

Forest Preserve District of Kane County; Elburn (IL); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Forest Preserve District of Kane County seeks a dependable Ranger Assistant to support operations, maintenance, and visitor services across district preserves. Under the Operations Manager, you will help protect, operate, and maintain open spaces, trails, facilities, and natural resources, and assist preserve users and respond to emergencies.

The ideal candidate will bring strong communication, teamwork, organization and safety skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year of landscaping or related experience preferred.
• Required certifications: CPR/First Aid/AED, CDL Class A, Pesticide Operator, S-130/S-190 or equivalent; must obtain within one year.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operations, maintenance, and visitor services.
• Respond to emergencies and assist with special events and campground operations.
• Serve as lead worker for summer seasonal staff.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organization

Problem-solving

Reliability

Safety awareness

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Tractors

Mowers

Chainsaws

Skid Steers

Chippers

Stump Grinders

Dump Trucks

Front-end Loaders

Trailers

Job description

Ranger Assistant - South

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is looking for a dependable and safety-conscious Ranger Assistant to support the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and visitor services of District preserves. Under the direction of the Operations Manager, the Ranger Assistant performs a wide variety of work to protect, preserve, operate, and maintain District property, including open spaces, trails, facilities, grounds, and natural resources. The position also provides assistance to preserve users, responds to emergencies, supports special events and campground operations, and serves as a lead worker for summer seasonal staff.

The ideal candidate brings strong communication, teamwork, organization, problem-solving, reliability, and safety skills, along with knowledge of landscape, grounds, natural resource, building, vehicle, and equipment maintenance. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. One (1) year of experience in landscaping, natural resources, recreation, or a closely related field is a plus, along with experience operating maintenance and construction equipment or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.

Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years of age

A valid Illinois driver’s license is essential to this role because the Ranger Assistant must travel between preserves and facilities, operate District vehicles and specialized equipment, and respond to emergency callouts. The position requires the ability to safely operate equipment such as tractors, mowers, chainsaws, skid steers, chippers, stump grinders, dump trucks, backhoes, front-end loaders, trailers, and other landscaping, construction, and maintenance equipment. The role requires outdoor work in varying and potentially extreme weather conditions, frequent physical activity, interaction with the public, and irregular hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

The position requires CPR/First Aid/AED, CDL Class A, Pesticide Operator, and S-130/S-190 prescribed burn or equivalent certifications. All required licenses and certifications must be obtained and maintained within one year of employment.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with an hourly range of $21.71-$28.49, with a starting rate of $21.71 DOQ, plus eligibility for the District’s full-time benefits package.

Full Time, 40 Hours Per Week, May Periodically Include Weekends, Evenings, And Holidays; 6:30am-2:30pm

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County provides equal employment opportunities and actively supports veterans in the workplace.