Job Posting: https://cookcountyil.taleo.net/careersection/400/jobdetail.ftl

 

Resource Technician   

Requisition ID:  00124183 

Organization:  Forest Preserve District 

Work Locations:  536 N. Harlem 

 

  Job Posting:  Feb 3, 2020, 4:34:19 PM   

Closing Date:  Mar 5, 2020, 11:59:00 PM

Full-time 700 Teamsters Posting Salary:  $51,850 / Yearly

 

 Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Under the supervision of the Resource Supervisor, Senior Resource Technician or designee, performs the removal of plant material related to ecosystem management projects.  Assists with hazardous tree removal, tree pruning, stream clean-up and storm damage clean-up throughout the District.  Assists with maintenance of trail surfaces, trail corridors and the installation and maintenance of trail signage. Assists in performing prescribed burns on District lands in accordance with prescribed standards, and assists in preventing or suppressing wildfires. Collects seeds and assists in propagating plants; prepares areas for planting, sows seeds, and plants native vegetation for ecological restoration.  Applies herbicides to control invasive plant species in accordance with prescribed standards. Assists with fisheries and wildlife management projects. Assists with special events at District nature centers. Works closely with Volunteer Resource staff on various projects and assists with providing guidance and direction to volunteers. This is a full time union position.

 

Typical Duties

Participates in work activities supporting ecosystem management projects on District lands.

Uses a variety of hand held power tools which include, but are not limited to, chain saws, shovels, loppers, hand saws, etc.; performs physically demanding, strenuous tasks using these and other types of tools in a safe and effective manner.

Removes plant materials and maintain trail surfaces and corridors utilizing 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 gators) and heavy equipment (i.e., skid-steer loaders, brush chippers, aerial bucket trucks, clam truck log loaders, front-end loaders, various tractors with brush mowers, bulldozers, and back-hoe loader tractors).

Performs restoration work aimed at restoring the natural ecosystem to a healthy condition utilizing firsthand knowledge of basic principles of plant ecology and related principles and techniques.

Assists in performing prescribed burns on designated management areas and wildfire suppression according to prescribed standards.

Collects seeds, assists with the growth and the maintenance of native plants; prepares areas for planting, sows seeds and plants native vegetation on ecological restoration sites.

Applies herbicides to prepared areas to control invasive plant species according to prescribed standards.

Assists with the installation and maintenance of informational trail signage.

Assists with management projects, monitoring and research projects for the District such as plant inventories, fish surveys, wildlife studies and environmental education programs.

Assists with special events at District nature centers.

Assists volunteers by providing guidance and direction in the use and application of tools and equipment on trail projects, volunteer stewardship program or in other capacity as required.

  

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, urban forestry, forest ecology, forest resource management or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university. OR  Must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. and four (4) or more years of seasonal, professional work experience in natural area restoration, arborist work, equipment operation, or other landscape/agricultural work.

Must possess a current, valid Illinois Pesticide Operators License or official documentation verifying that the exam has been passed.

Must have completed the National Wildlife Coordinating Group S130/S190 courses or the Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training.

Must possess a current, valid driver’s license. 

Must possess a Class A Commercial Driver’s License or a Class A Commercial Driver’s License Permit.

 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

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

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

Knowledge of and the ability to perform the basics of fire management as it relates to prescribed burning.

Ability to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within five (5) months of employment.

Knowledge of and ability to perform prescribed herbicide application as required.

Knowledge of and ability to identify plants that are native and invasive to Cook County.

 

General knowledge of established Land Management Guidelines.

Ability to identify insect pests.

Ability to follow instructions and carry out related duties as assigned.

Ability to read maps and GPS to locate work sites.

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

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

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

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

Ability to work extended hours or hours outside normal business hours during prescribed burn season, storm damage operations or other unforeseen occurrences related to the function of this position.

Ability to effectively demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated herein; ability to perform the typical duties and meet the physical requirements of the job.

This position requires exposure to a hazardous work environment including but not limited to: exposure to fire, smoke, herbicides, stream clean-up, natural elements, hazardous plants and animals  and the physical ability to perform various types of physical exertion, including, but not limited to lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of moderate to heavy weight.

 

This position may require the employee to work out of various locations temporarily to facilitate District operations.

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.

 

 

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 him/herself as a Veteran on his/her employment application by answering “Yes” to the question “Are you a military veteran?”

Attach a copy of his/her 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, the one with the most recent date should be submitted.  Coast Guard members 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.