Under the direction of Audubon's Stewardship Coordinator, the Crew Chief will lead Habitat Restoration Interns in restoring the ecological health and integrity in prairie, savanna, wetland, and hemimarsh habitats at Indian Ridge Marsh in South Deering, Chicago. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in natural areas management and land stewardship, as well as develop leadership and organizational skills. The Crew Chief will be expected to balance crew management in the field with daily administrative duties.
The commitment is a full-time, 40 hours per week, seasonal position that runs from June through October. The 40-hour work week requires commitment to Monday through Friday, 7am-3pm schedule with the flexibility to work occasional weekends to support community outreach and stewardship in the Calumet region. The Crew Chief will report to the Stewardship Coordinator and should commit to the full length of the internship. This internship is being offered by Audubon and is in partnership with the Chicago Park District.
The internships offers:
- Paid Internship with competitive compensation.
- Reimbursement of mileage or transit to and from meeting sites.
- Work t-shirts and muck boots provided and/or reimbursed by Audubon.
- Certifications, field trips, licensing reimbursed by Audubon.
Audubon Great Lakes is dedicated to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color and women.
Habitat Restoration interns will receive on-the-job training and develop skills in a variety of practices related to the management of natural habitats, including:
- Regular communication with Audubon, Chicago Park District and other partnering staff and crews regarding weekly scheduling, inter-intern workdays, mapping of projects, request for assistance on site and any necessary updates by phone and email.
- Lead a crew in the implementation of ecological management and restoration of Chicago Park District natural areas, while working alongside crews as a teammate.
- Brush and weed management by using a wide variety of tools, including: backpack herbicide sprayers, chainsaws, brushcutters and hand tools.
- Restoration techniques, including plant identification, planting native plugs, seed collection, processing and dispersal, and when applicable, controlled burns.
- Ability to test for and obtain IL Herbicide Applicator License, and obtain certifications in Brushcutter/Chainsaw Feller 1 and Chicago Wilderness Prescribed Burn training courses.
- Learn effective collaboration by working alongside additional restoration crew leaders and crews, volunteers and conservation partners in the region.
- Attend educational trainings and events to gain exposure to other conservation organizations and professionals for the purpose of future job placement.
- Interaction with members of the public visiting the natural area during occasional weekend volunteer days and work week.
- Must have access to a car for transportation to work sites.
- Ability to motivate and lead a small team, follow instructions, make independent decisions, and maintain team work ethic and spirit.
- Ability to quickly study for and pass the Illinois Herbicide Applicator Test (review materials will be provided).
- Experience with, or ability to quickly learn, safe usage of basic maintenance tools including: hand tools, brushcutters and chainsaws.
- Ability to work in inclement weather conditions, withstanding extreme temperatures, heavy mosquito presence and difficult terrain.
- Ability to lift, carry and move heavy objects up to 50lbs.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks with attention to detail, follow instructions and use independent judgment in decisions, as needed.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including some weekends, as applicable.
- Strong interest in conservation and/or working outdoors.
- Must be 18 years or older with ability to work 40 hours per week, June-October.