Wildlife Research Supervisor

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Wildlife Biologist, this position assists with the supervision and administration of all aspects of wildlife management on Forest Preserves of Cook County property. This includes the coordination of staff and operations, upkeep of equipment and facilities, and completion of all associated paperwork. Ensures the integrity of data collection and storage, as well as analyzes data collected for trends, new occurrences, or other information necessary to support wildlife and zoonotic disease research programs undertaken by the District and its state, federal, academic, or partnership-based collaborators. Coordinates and contributes to the publication of findings in scientific/peer reviewed journals and popular science outlets; contributes to public educational campaigns in collaboration with the District’s Communications department. Assists other sections and departments with special projects involving resource crews, ecology, fisheries, nature centers, and volunteer stewardship groups. Represents the District on internal and external committees.

Typical Duties

• Assists in supervision and daily work assignments for all Wildlife Section staff, aides, and interns including, but not limited to staff scheduling, timekeeping, disciplinary actions, payroll, work orders, daily reports, procurement of supplies, equipment and vehicle maintenance, and all associated paperwork.
• Assists in coordination of contracted wildlife management activities throughout the District’s holdings.
• Utilizes various field sampling techniques to monitor wildlife populations including, but not limited to netting, trapping, electrofishing, tagging, and telemetry.
• Assists with coordinating activities and field workshops for visiting researchers, partners, and academics.
• Collects, records, and summarizes biological data and other information for use in technical reports and environmental assessments of District wildlife populations and ecosystems.
• Prepares data, drafts, and edits research manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.
• Issues recommendations and assists with the development of comprehensive management plans to improve ecological function and health of wildlife populations.
• Assists with coordination and management of ongoing long-term scientific monitoring and research performed in collaboration with federal, state, academic and other partners including but not limited to: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, universities, etc.
• Assists with supervision and oversight of internal and externally led research projects to ensure the protection of the District’s natural resources.
• Conducts statistical analysis and quality control checks of data to analyze fish and wildlife populations and distribution.
• Assists with coordination of the wildlife management programs, including liaising with partner agencies and conducting floral and habitat assessments related to the project.
• Ensures that all District policies, procedures, and protocols are being followed, implemented, and enforced for staff being supervised by this position.
• Represents the department on various committees/working groups, both internal and with outside agencies, stakeholders, and organizations.
• Supervises the collection of sampling and other data through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software utilizing a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and all other associated equipment and software.
• Communicates effectively and works cooperatively with staff, volunteer stewards, partners, and public stakeholders in all matters regarding wildlife management across the District.
• Works with partner organizations and agencies to develop, execute and analyze research projects.
• Presents research findings at civic and community affairs, professional meetings, and conferences on wildlife management.
• Assists the Senior Wildlife Biologist to develop, implement and review operational policies and safety procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess a master’s degree or higher in wildlife biology, wildlife management, biology, ecology, natural resources, ecological science, or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least five years of full-time work experience in wildlife management AND at least three years of full-time work experience in a supervisory capacity in an organization with large scale wildlife operations, such as a collaborative research lab, state/federal agency, wildlife foundation, state/national park, forest preserve, or other similar organization.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess or obtain an Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card within six months of date of hire.
• Must possess or obtain rabies prophylaxis within six months from date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. degree with a concentration in wildlife biology, wildlife management or a substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least one year of full-time work experience in wildlife management AND at least two years of full-time work experience in a supervisory capacity in an organization with large scale operations, such as a park district, municipality, state/national park, forest preserve, or contractor with large scale operations or other similar organization; OR possess at least three articles published in peer reviewed literature, in which the applicant is credited as a contributing author uploaded at time of application; OR possession at one season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County; OR at least one season of work experience on the Forest Preserves District of Cook County’s property with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Ability to plan, organize, supervise, train, and coordinate the activities of subordinate personnel and interns engaged in a variety of tasks related to wildlife management and resource management.
• Knowledge of best practices related to sampling, tracking, trapping, and tagging techniques involved in wildlife management; strong experience with radio and satellite-based telemetry.
• Knowledge of environmental contaminants.
• Ability to use collected data to calculate regional animal presence, abundance, and density.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze large wildlife biology data sets utilizing software such as R and/or SAS.
• Excellent technical writing skills to develop research manuscripts, reports, and other publications.
• Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer reviewed literature, including knowledge of appropriate formatting and citation utilized in scientific publications. 
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and projects occurring simultaneously.
• Knowledge of principles, best practices and techniques related to wildlife biology.
• Ability to collaborate with partners in public and private sectors.
• Ability and willingness to communicate about research being performed and its benefit to the district and Cook County Residents
• Thorough knowledge of the biology, conservation impacts, identification, and management techniques of local plant and animal species in the Chicago region.
• Willingness to work extended hours or hours outside normal business hours to facilitate research programs, conferences, or other unforeseen occurrences related to the function of this position.
• Must maintain the required certifications and licenses for this position as a condition of continued employment.
• Ability to obtain any additional certifications and licenses deemed appropriate by the District for this position.
• This position requires exposure to a hazardous work environment including but not limited to exposure to fire, smoke, herbicides, stream clean-up, natural elements, inclement weather, hazardous plants and animals and the physical ability to perform various types of physical exertion including, but not limited to lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of moderate to heavy weight.
• This position may require the employee to work out of various locations temporarily to facilitate District operations.
• The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.  They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  
• For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time.  To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application.  If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date.  Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).
• Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.

MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AT THE TIME OF HIRE OR SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WITHIN ONE WEEK OF START DATE.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each bring to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.