If you are passionate about mitigating climate change, enhancing sustainability, advancing regenerative agriculture, protecting watersheds and preserving soil – we offer opportunities for you to make an impact! Kane DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District protects and restores land and water in Kane/DuPage Counties, for today and into the future. This position will specialize in environmental compliance and natural resource management.

We collaborate with a wide variety of audiences, including municipal governments, watershed groups, developers, farmers and more, to promote better ways to care for our land and water.

Municipalities rely on us for our professional, unbiased natural resource inventory and land use opinion reports when it comes to land use change.

We work with developers before, during and after construction, guiding them through the process to minimize the amount of off-site impact resulting from the development.

KDSWCD offers farmers technical assistance and financial incentives to adopt practices that conserve soil and protect water quality.

When you join our team, you will:

• Implement the Soil Erosion Sediment Control Program for projects ranging from new bridges to airport runways, re-zoned land to construction sites, land restoration to stream bank stabilization. You will review stormwater pollution prevention plans, inspect sites and identify areas for improved soil containment. Follow up inspections make sure the work is done right.
• Write Natural Resource Inventory Reports providing an opinion of a proposed project, identify natural features on site and offer an unbiased review of the land.
• Develop conservation plans to help farmers improve water quality, providing technical assistance and distributing funds to help mitigate the cost of conservation practices—from cover crops to pollinator habitat, filter strips to grass waterways.
• Coordinate watershed planning initiatives in collaboration with watershed coalitions.

If you can:

• Effectively use Microsoft Office applications
• Read a map
• Navigate a construction site following a storm event
• Speak to and collaborate with the public (including farmers, landowners, government officials, contractors)
• Write detailed reports
• Navigate to project sites via car independently

Plus, you have taken classes in Soil Science, Agronomy, Engineering, Geography, Hydrology, and/or Environmental Science, etc. and want to learn MORE!

Bonus points if you have experience with:

• Agriculture Conservation Planning
• Reviewing Development Engineering Plans
• Drone operation
• Surveying
• GIS
• Construction, wetland, agriculture and other regulatory information
• Coordinating and/or hosting public educational workshops
• Mass grading, utility installation, ecological restoration
• Kane and DuPage County geography
• Business Operations
• Managing technical staff
• Collaborating with governmental groups and/or NGOs

We want to talk to you! Email contact@kanedupageswcd.org with your resume and any relevant certifications or degrees. Bachelor’s Degree a plus (but not required).

As a KDSWCD team member, you will work in-person Monday-Friday at our St. Charles office. Occasional evening and weekend hours. KDSWCD vehicles are provided for site visit travel. Our team members are required to pass a federal background check and a hold a valid Illinois Driver’s License.

Full-time staff is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package which includes: health, dental and vision insurance, disability, life insurance, retirement savings with matching, paid time off including federal and state holidays, vacation, sick time and personal days.

KDSWCD is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The District is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin color, marital status, genetic information or parental status. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.