North Branch Conservation Corps Temporary Crew Member

Reports to: North Branch Conservation Corps Crew Manager

Start date: ASAP

End Date: September 18th, 2025 (Possibility of extension into October)

Pay rate: $18.00/hr

Schedule: 36 hours per week (temporary)

• 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 seeks a temporary crew member for the summer of 2025, to join our North Branch Conservation Corps Crew, based out of the Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center, 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60646. Conservation Corps members work throughout the region to remove invasive species and restore native habitats within the forest preserves in Cook County. We are seeking a temporary crew member to  be part of a program that provides valuable skills and certifications that could lead to a long-term career in natural land management or other environmental jobs. This temporary position is expected  to work through September 18th with the possibility of extension if funding allows.  Occasional reassignments to an alternate work base location in the Northwest Region (Barrington, IL) may occur.  

Responsibilities:

• Work outdoors on a team of 6 people, removing invasive species using hand tools and chemical control
• Conduct hands-on activities, such as seed collecting or hand pulling of invasive species, to restore ecological health to forest preserves
• Conduct tool maintenance as required
• Participate in required training sessions 

Required qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Strong interest in learning about conservation and working outdoors
• Must be punctual and responsible, with the ability to work with others as a team
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects (50 lbs.) and work outside in inclement weather and extreme temperatures
• Ability to obtain a State of Illinois Pesticide Operator License within one week of hire (training provided)
• Some flexibility in work hours, including weekend work, is required
• Ability to meet at designated meetup location,  Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center, 6100 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

Beneficial qualifications:

• Experience working outdoors as part of a team
• Volunteer experience
• Genuine interest in contributing to environmental health  

Benefits:

• One hour of paid time off will be accrued for every 35 hours worked in compliance with Paid Leave for All Workers legislation related to IL, Cook county and the City of Chicago. 
• 3 Paid Holidays (Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day)