Dear Colleagues: The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) Update is a state-wide project that requires hiring five regional ecologists who will compile information about significant natural features that are already known, and will also systematically screen the region to find new natural areas. The position description is attached which also contains background information on the INAI Update. We are now searching for candidates for these positions. Please help us identify qualified candidates. Important information regarding these positions includes the following: 1. There will be five regions within the state, with one ecologist working out of each region. 2. All positions will be hired through Applied Ecological Services, a private consulting firm which is a subcontractor on the project. 3. Candidates selected for the position are required to provide their own vehicle for travel statewide, with reimbursements provided for travel including mileage (federal rate), lodging and per diem. Candidates must carry appropriate vehicle insurance. 4. The salary for each position is $40,000 per year, with AES benefits, including personal leave, holidays, co-shared insurance, and 401k and profit-sharing plans. 5. One assistant will be hired to work with each regional ecologist during each summer. The hiring process is as follows: 1. The deadline for submitting an application is October 31, 2007. 2. All interested applicants are required to submit the following: a. Letter of Interest b. AES Employment Application c. College Transcripts (original or copies) d. Resume or Vitae e. References 3. Applications will be reviewed and the top candidates will be notified in midNovember. 4. Interviews will take place sometime in late November through mid-December at the Illinois Natural History Survey office in Champaign. 5. Selected candidates will be contacted by late December. 6. The preferred starting date is January 16,2007. Please distribute this position announcement to colleagues and any interested candidates. Send all required application materials to the contact below. If you have any questions, please contact the following INAI subcontractor to Lincoln Land Community College: Dr. Deanna Glosser Environmental Planning Solutions, Inc. 22 Hollyhock Drive Riverton, IL 62561 217-629-8949 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Brian D. Anderson, Ph.D. Assistant to the President Planning and Institutional Improvement Illinois Natural Areas Inventory Update Regional Ecologist Position Description Description of Duties: Under the supervision of the INAI Update Field Coordinator at the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Regional Ecologist will work independently to analyze information and complete tasks in a manner consistent with the INAI Update Standards and Guidelines, including but not limited to, interpreting maps and aerial photographs for natural area identification and evaluation of natural community quality, collecting and analyzing field data, and entering results into a computerized database. This position is part of a multi-disciplinary team contracted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to update the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI). The contract expires October 31, 2010. Lincoln Land Community College is the lead agency on this project, with Applied Ecological Services (AES), the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), Ecological Services, and Environmental Planning Solutions, Inc. serving as subcontractors. This position will work directly for AES but will be supervised by a subcontractor at INHS. Qualifications: Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in plant biology, botany or related discipline, with demonstrated field experience. A master's degree is preferred. Expertise required includes: * Strong knowledge of the flora ofthe Midwestern United States, including endangered and threatened species and their habitat requirements * The ability to identify Midwestern vascular plants in the field, determine unknown species, and recognize high-quality natural areas. * The ability to recognize the different ecological communities of Illinois. * An understanding of the principles of conservation biology and a thorough knowledge of how to implement quantitative sampling regimes for vegetation; familiarity with collecting techniques for herbaria is preferred. * The ability to utilize computers to collect, process, analyze, and compile data, and incorporate it into Geographic Information Systems. Experience with ArcView and Access is recommended. * The ability to interpret aerial photography, including distinguishing and accurately describing colors on true color and false color infrared images is recommended. * The ability to use GPS tools is also recommended. In addition, the successful candidate must: * Be willing to travel overnight and work under adverse conditions, including bad weather, exposure to poison ivy and other noxious plants, and the potential encounters with venomous insects and animals. * Be well-organized, record notes clearly, and meet deadlines. * Be willing to perform tasks that require walking, bending, stooping, standing, kneeling, climbing, reaching, and sitting. * Possess the ability to work out-of-doors all day long, carrying a backpack of field equipment over uneven terrain for up to 2 miles from a road. * Have a valid automobile driver's license. * Be able to pass a drug and alcohol test prior to employment. Candidates that possess the required skills will be preferred regardless of degree earned. The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements ofpersons assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. The person(s) selected for this position will not be State employees. They will be employees of Applied Ecological Services, a for-profit corporation and subject to their policies and procedures. This position will expire October 31,2010. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory Update The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) provides a set of information about high quality natural areas, habitats of endangered species, and other significant natural features. Information from the INAI is used to guide and support land acquisition and protection programs by all levels of government as well as by private landowners and conservation organizations. The original Natural Areas Inventory was carried out in 1975-78, and it has been maintained by the Illinois Department ofNatural Resources since then. Although the INAI has been updated to a certain extent, it no longer fully meets the needs of conservation-minded landowners, land managers, and regulatory agencies. The INAI Update will allow the entire state to be thoroughly and systematically screened in order to find, describe, evaluate, classify, and map natural areas. New technologies and criteria will allow the Update to identify perhaps twice as many natural areas of statewide significance as are currently known. Sites of local significance will also be recognized. Five regional ecologists will compile information about significant natural features that are already known, and will also systematically screen the region to find new natural areas. Most of these sites will be identified and evaluated by interpreting aerial photography and by low-level aerial reconnaissance, which will be followed by on-site surveys. Additional biologists will conduct surveys of selected groups of plants and animals. Lincoln Land Community College serves as the lead for the INAI Update with Dr. Brian Anderson being the primary contact. Other members of the INAI Update Team include: Applied Ecological Services Steve Apfelbaum Randy Vogel Ecological Services Barbara White John White Environmental Planning Solutions, Inc. Dr. Deanna Glosser Illinois Natural History Survey Dr. Michael Jeffords Dr. Geoff Levin Randy Nyboer Diane Szafoni Dr. Dave Thomas Tari Tweddale Advisors Fran Harty, The Nature Conservancy More information is available at the INAl Update web site: http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/inai
