POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT Position Title: Invasive Plant Management Coordinator Position Description: http://tinyurl.com/23nsj6n NOTE: Closes June 11, 2010
Background: Chicago Wilderness seeks a qualified candidate to fill the position of Invasive Plant Management Coordinator (IPMC). The IPMC will be responsible for establishing and advancing the goals and objectives of the Chicago region Cooperative Weed Management Area partnership. Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA) are local organizations that provide a mechanism for sharing invasive plant management resources across jurisdictional boundaries in order to achieve widespread invasive plant prevention and control in a broader geographic region. The Chicago region CWMA will encompass the northeastern Illinois area within the biogeographically defined Chicago Wilderness region (to view a map go to http://www.chicagowilderness.org/pdf/cw_region_map.pdf). Basic Function: The Invasive Plant Management Coordinator will work with the CWMA Steering Committee, Advisory Group and general CWMA partnership to advance the goals and objectives identified in the CWMAs Long-term Work Plan including: 1) formally establishing the CWMA; 2) establishing a structure to track expenditures, matching contributions, and CWMA initiative successes; 3) building working relationships with CWMA partners and increasing regional awareness of CWMA; 4) identifying and securing additional funding for CWMA projects and the Invasive Plant Management Coordinator position; 5) increasing regional awareness of invasive plant prevention; 7) assisting partners in coordinating early detection and rapid response initiatives; 8) assisting landowners in building their capacity to implement invasive plant management programs. Location & Travel: The position will be housed at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Cook County, Illinois with optional office space available, as needed, in Bartlett, Illinois at the James Pate Phillips State Park. Travel within the CWMA region and larger Chicago Wilderness area will be required. A vehicle is not available for this position; the Coordinator shall be reimbursed for mileage costs. The Invasive Plant Management Coordinator does not supervise other employees. Qualifications: * Undergraduate or graduate (preferred) degree in ecological restoration, plant ecology, community ecology, botany or a related field. * Knowledge of invasive plant issues and invasive plant management strategies in the northeastern Illinois region. * Excellent oral communication skills. * Strong interpersonal skills. * Experience in building community-based partnerships and ability to work with multiple partners. * Ability to speak to general public, students and professional audiences about invasive plant issues. * Excellent organizational skills to keep large groups of people focused on long-term goals and objectives of the CWMA. * Excellent written communication skills, particularly the ability to* Must be self-motivated and able to work independently on multiple tasks with little supervision, and with many partners. * Ability to think creatively to achieve CWMA goals and objectives * Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) required. Proficiency in ArcMap and Access preferred. * Illinois drivers license required for Illinois residents with 30 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license for out-of-state residents. * Ability and willingness to travel to meetings and events within the CWMA region and the larger Chicago Wilderness area. Personal vehicle or public transportation will be required for most travel. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. Term: This position is fully funded for 1 year. Additional employment is contingent upon funding and performance. Salary range: $30,000 - $42,000 per year plus medical & dental benefits package To apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Chris Mulvaney at [email protected]. The writing sample will be used to gauge applicants written communication skills. It should consist of a 1-2 page excerpt from a grant proposal, report, or journal article where the applicant was the primary author. Applications are due by Friday, June 11 at 5:00pm (CST). For additional information or if you have questions, please contact Debbie Maurer (Lake County Forest Preserve District) at 847-968-3285 (Ph)/ 847-276-6943 (Cell); [email protected]
