Westmont, IL – Natural Areas Specialist

Are you looking for a career with consistent hours, a variety of tasks, and the opportunity to directly contribute to the beauty and environmental health of our community? The Village of Westmont is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Natural Areas Specialist to join our Public Works Department.

If you have a passion for ecology and natural systems, and a commitment to community, this is an amazing opportunity! As a Natural Areas Specialist, you will play a vital role in managing and maintaining the Village’s natural spaces, including ten acres of stormwater detention and retention areas, landscaped medians, open spaces, and pocket parks. You will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and oversight of all management activities to ensure the functionality, health, and aesthetic appeal of these resources.

From season to season our days may vary.  A glimpse into a day of the Natural Areas Specialist:

• Daily morning meetings where tasks are assigned by the Forestry and Grounds Foreman. It is then the responsibility of the Natural Areas Specialist to conduct seasonally needed management tasks for natural areas, sometimes individually, and sometimes with a crew as needed.
• While this job is mainly in Ecology and natural area management, this position will need eagerness and versatility to assist in other Public Works tasks to contribute to the goals of the Public Works Department as a whole. This includes year round emergency response and standby response.

Work throughout the seasons typically consists of:

Spring

Site preparation and prescribed burning operations or mowing.  Tree pruning.  Annual flower installations and maintenance in coordination with Horticulture staff.

Summer

Plant selection, procurement and planting.  Chemical and mechanical weed control activities to control invasive and nuisance herbaceous and woody vegetation. Public education and outreach.  Basin inspections.

Fall

Chemical and mechanical weed control activities.  Holiday lights and decorations set up.

Winter

IEPA Prescribed Burning Plan submittal for permitting.   Seed collection and supplemental seeding.  Snow plowing and removal as necessary, holiday lights and decorations take down.  Tree pruning.

For more information and the full job description please visit the Village website at:

https://westmont.illinois.gov/206/Employment-Opportunities

Where has your education and experience led you?

• Identification of common plants of the Midwest, including desirable and undesirable species.
• Expertise of common natural area management techniques such as:
• Prescribed burning
• Herbicide application
• Mechanical weed control
• Environmental interpretation and education
• Understanding of the principles of proper ecological practices (ecology as it relates to natural area management)

Your hard work pays off!

While we have high expectations of staff, we appreciate that people have lives outside of work. This is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Merit and Bonus program, including ability to receive yearly bonuses and spot bonuses
• Vacation (available from date of hire)
• 10 paid holidays
• 4 floating holidays
• Longevity pay (1% on top of base pay for every five years of continuous service)
• Sick leave (accrued year over year with no cap and a cash payout upon 20 years of service or retirement)
• Medical (Employee portion is 13-15% of premium)
• Dental (Single tier is free and applied to all other tiers)
• Vision
• Life insurance
• Deferred 457 compensation plan
• IMRF pension
• Tuition Reimbursement

Show me the money!

This is a full-time, non-exempt (hourly) position.  The starting wage range is $29.26/hr – $38.41/hr (DOQ).

Do you want to join our team?

To fill out an application, please visit the Village of Westmont’s employment page at:

https://westmont.illinois.gov/206/Employment-Opportunities

The Village of Westmont is an Equal Opportunity Employer.