Salary:$18/hour
Duties and
Responsibilities:
Engagement Corps Crew Member
Reports to: Engagement Corps Crew Manager
Start date: September 2, 2025
Starting Pay rate: $18.00 / hr
Schedule: 36 hours per week (full-time)Organization:
Mission: We unite people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.Our community advocates for the responsible management of the nearly 70,000 acres of forest preserves in Cook County through advocacy, engagement, and stewardship of the land. Some of the best natural areas in Illinois are right here in Cook County, right outside your urban backdoor. Join our team and help us ensure they are here for the next 100 years.

Friends is an organization that gets things done with our members, volunteers, staff, board, and partners. We believe in work-life balance and are here for the marathon, not the sprint (not that we don’t sprint on a regular basis).

Operating Budget: $3,750,000

Summary:
Friends of the Forest Preserves seeks a crew member to be part of our Calumet Engagement Crew Pilot Program. The Calumet EC Pilot Program is a two-year training program that aims to introduce and train new professionals for careers in community-based conservation. Crew members are expected to commit to the entire two-year program, which will include job readiness training, paid certification opportunities and a 1-3 month long externship with a partner organization. Successful candidates will have a strong desire to start their careers in the environmental field, showing a passion for advancing our conservation goals through our community-focused approach to engaging communities in the Calumet Region.

Responsibilities:
Collaborate on a team of 5 to work on implementing engagement projects in the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Assist with in-person engagement and stewardship programs/activities in the forest preserves, eventually designing and implementing own programs
Assist with in-person outreach and create engaging digital and printed communications
Participate in required training sessions during the two-year program
Develop and facilitate programing in the forest preserves of Cook County
Compile photos, anecdotal data, and other materials for an end-of-project portfolio
Complete an externship with a partner organization to gain hands-on experience in conservation in the Chicago based environmental network

Qualifications:Qualifications:
Must live in the Calumet region of Cook County, such as Riverdale, East Side, South Holland, Calumet City, Dolton, Blue Island, and/or others
Must be 21 years or older
Must have reliable transportation to Sandridge Nature Center and Friends’ office downtown, as well as a valid driver’s license
Willingness and available to commit to the two-year training program
Strong interest in learning about engagement, conservation and working outdoors
Inclusive and respectful approach to working with diversity of people and partners across race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, and other identities
Strong interest in engaging public audiences with conservation education-based programs and activities
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Ability to effectively work independently and as part of a collaborative team
Passionate about Friends’ mission and supporting an inclusive work environment
Must be punctual and responsible with the ability to work with others as a team
Flexible schedule, including availability on weekends and evenings
Ability to pass a comprehensive background checkBeneficial qualifications:
Experience in conservation/environmental-based education public programming
Formal or informal education in any of the conservation/science-based fields
Great problem-solving/troubleshooting skills
Experience working/volunteering outdoors as part of a team
Experience with Google Office Suite
Speaks SpanishBenefits:
Exposure to agencies and professionals with the potential for long-term career connections.
50% cost share of health and dental insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance, and $100,000 of life insurance
403b retirement account with 3% match starting at 1 year of employment
2 weeks of vacation
2 weeks of sick time
11 paid holidays plus 2 additional paid days of winter break
Certificate and scholarship with completion of the 2 year program
Teen Opportunity:No
How to Apply:To apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and two references via the Friends’ website at https://fotfp.org/who-we-are/jobs/. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please NO calls, faxes, office visits, or emails.

Friends of the Forest Preserves strongly encourages people of all identities to apply. We strive to include people of every race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, and/or sexual orientation. Friends is an equal opportunity employer, in addition to observing all legal protections of special status, promoting diversity in the conservation community.

Address:411 S Wells St Ste 800
Categories:Communication/Marketing, Education, Other, Restoration Technician
Type:Full-Time Job
Timeframe:Year Round
Contact:Kasandra Alvarez

Learn More