Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 47781 
Closing Date: 06/24/2025
​Agency:  Department of Natural Resources
Class Title: NATURAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST - 28832 
Skill Option:  Natural Heritage 
Bilingual Option:  None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/25) $5,928 Monthly; Full Range $5,928 - $8,493 Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Montgomery
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  RC062
Merit Comp Code:  

 

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

 

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

 

 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

This position serves as the District Natural Heritage biologist for approximately six counties in southwest Illinois. Natural Heritage staff engage in natural areas identification, preservation, and management; endangered and threatened species protection and recovery; and non-game species ecology. The district biologist plans and implements the Division's work in their local area. They conduct stewardship activities that may include application of herbicides and pesticides, prescribed fire, and development of scopes of work for contractors. Additionally, they provide local perspective on Department initiatives such as policies, acquisitions, administrative rules, permits and public comment opportunities. We welcome all interested candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision of the Regional Manager, serves as District Natural Heritage Biologist and administers, manages, and implements the Division's natural heritage programs in central Illinois.
• Conducts stewardship of natural communities and species habitats.
• Facilitates program-oriented research, surveys, and investigations.
• Prepares and reviews resource management plans and protection documents.
• Participates in establishing district and regional goals and objectives.
• Advocates for natural heritage resources.
• Serve as designated lead worker.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental ability equivalent to a master's degree in outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science; or requires a bachelor's degree in the field supplemented by two years of directly related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A college degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher in a wildlife, botany, ecology, or zoology focused major.
• Two (2) years of extensive knowledge of ecological processes and modern habitat management techniques using specialized conservation equipment.
• Two (2) years extensive knowledge of flora and fauna, applying knowledge of threatened and endangered species of Illinois and knowledge of species recovery.
• Prefers (2) years of experience organizing time and managing multiple projects with minimum direct Supervision.
• One (1) year of experience collecting information and assisting in analyzing and evaluating technical data/reports.
• One (1) year of experience in providing task-related direction and assistance to seasonal or intermittent employees, volunteers, landowners, or the general public.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

1. Requires the completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.

2. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

3. Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

4. Ability to obtain pesticide operator’s license within 6 months of employment.

5. Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.

6. Ability to lift, carry, and transport loads exceeding sixty pounds.

7. Ability to traverse rough and broken terrain on foot without mechanical assistance.

8. Ability to negotiate a variety of natural obstacles carrying a variety of technical equipment.

9. Ability to obtain Illinois Burn Boss Certification.

 

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

 

 

 

Agency and Division Statement

Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting and promoting Illinois’ natural and cultural resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs.

Division Statement

The mission of the Division of Natural Heritage is to conserve Illinois' native flora, fauna, and natural communities through inventory, protection, and stewardship. We work with the other Divisions within the Office of Resource Conservation to provide natural resources protection and management to natural communities and rare and sensitive fish and wildlife and their habitats. We work collaboratively with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board to protect remnants of Illinois' original natural heritage. In addition to conserving natural communities and endangered species, the Natural Heritage Division is responsible for leading Illinois' Wildlife Action Plan and Natural Heritage Database Program. Illinois is a member of the NatureServe network.

The Office of Resource Conservation (ORC) strives to conserve the state's wildlife, fisheries, natural lands and forest resources for future generations while providing sustainable recreational opportunities for all Illinoisans.

  Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM w/30 min. lunch
Work Location: 826 Morton Ct. Litchfield, IL 62056
Agency Contact:  Vicky Fowler
Email: vicky.fowler@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-5387
Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources

 

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, For contractors, Seasonal work, Local area, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Night shift, Monday to Friday,

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