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Form of workThe Stantec Chicago Park District (CPD) project team is seeking a passionate, energetic, and organized individual with at least 5 years' experience in ecological restoration to help manage one of Stantec's largest projects in the Midwest. Stantec has currently completed the second year of a 5-year contract with the CPD and is under contract for the next 3 years to manage and maintain the natural areas of over 600 acres at 100 CPD parks throughout the City of Chicago.
As a dedicated Ecologist to the CPD project, you will help lead and advise field crews with a focus on safety, innovation, and quality project delivery. Your role will also include working very closely with CPD Project Managers as an ecological consultant to design and implement conversions and enhancements of brownfields and existing low quality park spaces to high quality natural areas. This is a full-time position, remote arrangements will be considered with site visits located throughout Chicago, Illinois on an as needed basis.
Your Key Responsibilities
Meet with the CPD Natural Areas Managers, upon immediate request, to consult, discuss work plans, status of work orders and/or to walk through each site to ensure that performance standards are being met.
Provide ecological consulting services related to the natural areas and nature gardens such as restoration techniques, native seeding, generation of plant lists, and other project needs.
Manage and oversee multiple crews in the field to ensure quality and ability to meet performance standards
Create and manage large Natural Area Work Orders based on site visits with the client. These work orders include large seeding, planting, and tree installation projects.
Visit each natural area at least once every two weeks to assess site conditions and maintenance needs.
Provide evaluation form after every site visit and incorporate into field crew's scope of work for next maintenance visit.
Assist in creating daily and weekly schedule of maintenance crews based on site evaluations.
Perform site evaluations for prescribed burns and create, with CPD Managers, a yearly Priority Burn List.
Track weather and conditions to determine burning feasibility and lead prescribed burns.
Provide photos of sites.
Provide End of the Year report that compiles and summarizes all data submitted on a weekly and monthly basis during the year. Report will include recommendations for future management at each site.
Implementing a safety-first mindset and applying all established health, safety, security, and environment (HSSE) standards during all office and field operations.
Your Capabilities and Credentials
Required:
Positive, safety-first attitude.
Effective communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Organized and capable of leading work assignments with attention to detail.
Ability to read and interpret herbicide labels and Safety Data Sheets and apply herbicides following label instructions and safety procedures.
A good driving record and valid state driver's license.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions.
Ability to travel regularly during the field season.
Possess or able to obtain Pesticide Applicators licenses within one month, including applicable categories for herbicide application in natural areas and aquatic environments.
Possess or able to obtain ISA Arborist certification within 6 months
Demonstrated experience with crew or volunteer leadership, mentorship, and effective team communication.
Ability to operate and conduct routine preventative maintenance on a variety of equipment and tools that includes light and heavy-duty trucks and trailers, chainsaws / brushsaws, backpack herbicide sprayers, UTVs / ATVs, and tractors.
Possess an Illinois Prescribed Burn Manager Certification.
ATV / UTV and chainsaw safety training.
Valid commercial driver's license and/or Federal DOT Medical card.
Education and Experience
Degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources, or related discipline.
5 years of experience in Habitat restoration in the Midwest, knowledge of Midwest ecosystems, flora and fauna, knowledge of ecological restoration practices, and knowledge of common invasive plant species and techniques for managing them.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
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