RANGER - 3772500

Position Overview

The Office of Lands Management is seeking a Ranger to serve at DesPlaines State Fish & Wildlife Area. Under general supervision, serves as lead worker, engages in maintenance, development, and operations projects at DesPlaines SFWA.

The Office of Land Management (OLM) oversees nearly 400 individual parcels of land and institutes a wide variety of programs and activities advocating outdoor recreation through sustainable use, conservation, and preservation. The Historic Sites Division of the Office of Land Management oversees 57 Historic Sites, Monuments, and Memorials. OLM facilitates activities from small group interpretive programming at Historical Sites, to hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, and camping.

Job Responsibilities

1. Oversees and participates in the maintenance of the park grounds:

• Rakes leaves, mows, cuts bushes and trees throughout campground area.
• Trail and ground maintenance to access boat launches, picnic areas, hunting and field grounds, and fishing areas.
• Applies pesticides and herbicides for vegetation control.
• Repairs and paints picnic tables, stoves, and grills.
• Designs, constructs, and installs signs throughout the park.

2. Oversees and participates in the maintenance and coordination of area buildings, vehicles, and equipment:

• Performs and directs the activities of staff engaged in the collection of trash/garbage, cleaning and disinfection of restrooms.
• Assigns tools and vehicles to employees at the park.
• Inspects public use areas for hazards such as fallen trees, erosion, broken picnic tables, and broken playground equipment.
• Verifies buildings and gates are properly locked.

3. Assists in the administration and operation of the largest permit pheasant program in Illinois:

• Assists in managing large field trialing program, a long with waterfowl, dove, deer and upland game hunting programs.
• Assists and travels with the maintenance and operation of the game propagation facility on an as needed basis.

4. Serves as designated lead worker:

• Assigns and reviews work.
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff.
• Advises immediate supervisor regarding performance of staff.

5. Prepares and maintains maintenance schedules:

• Periodically reviews status of area projects and progress.
• Recommends and implements possible solutions for problem areas.

6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Requirements

• Requires education and experience equivalent to an associates degree with courses in life sciences or parks and recreation; supplemented by one (1) year of maintenance and interpretive experience.
• Experience may be substituted for some education, but completion of HS or possessio of GED certificate is a minimum requirement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Elementary knowledge of outdoor recreational and natural program administration.
• Ability to prepare and maintain operating records and reports.
• Working knowledge of tools and equipment used in the performance of non-skilled and semi-skilled maintenance.
• Working knowledge of departmental rules and regulatios pertaining to outdoor recreational and natural programs.
• Ability to assign, review, and control the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to provide information, direction, and assistance to sports enthusiasts and the general public.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Requires ability to lift, carry and transport loads which exceed sixty (60) pounds.
• Requires ability to walk over rough and broken terrain.
• Requires ability to work under adverse weather conditions on a year-round basis.

Employment Conditions

• Requires possession of a valid Driver's License.
• Ability to pass background check.
• Possess a valid, or have ability to obtain in first 6 months of employment, pesticide/herbicide license,

Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the 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.