Restoration Intern Crew Leader

Jun 1st– Aug 8th 2026 | 34 hrs/wk paid at $17/hr
Please note there will be a one week break from 6/29-7/5

Job Description: 
The summer internship crew participates in a nine-week program committed to restoring and preserving high-quality natural areas. The internship also includes direct professional development and educational components such as visits to other environmental organizations, guest speakers, and a final presentation. This is an exceptional opportunity for college and post-graduate students seeking hands-on experience in restoration ecology.

In addition to regular intern crew tasks, the crew leader will be responsible for crew time management, prompting and overseeing tasks, and serving as a touch point for questions, instructions, and motivation.

Qualifications: 

• Be 18 years of age
• Junior, senior, or recent college graduate
• Be willing to work in all types of weather conditions
• Be able to complete laborious tasks including heavy lifting and extensive walking
• Passion for the outdoors
• Have experience in leadership roles and team environments
• Have experience in restoration ecology, including tool use and plant ID
• Previous Lake Forest Open Lands interns and volunteers will be given priority

Successful candidates should feel comfortable leading a team through indoor and outdoor tasks and have some experience working in the field of natural resources, as well as an enthusiasm for restoration ecology. Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude are important for working with other Lake Forest Open Lands programs and members of the public. 

Duties: 

• Ensure that start of day, breaks, and lunches are taken in a timely manner
• Prompt individual tasks such as weekly journaling, data entry, and time sheet completion
• Collect data on work completed by the crew
• Document work completed by the crew with before, after, and action photos
• Ensure all tools are returned and organized at end of day
• Lead the team in group stretches
• Stewardship tasks such as invasive removal via hand, mechanical, and chemical methods, seed collection, trail maintenance, and bumblebee monitoring