RANGER

Position Overview

Under general supervision at the Trail of Tears State Forest, this position regularly acts as designated functional supervisor to permanent subordinates, as well as other seasonal site staff workers. Coordinates the care and maintenance of the area; functionally supervises and participates in enacting site recreational and natural programs; informs visitors of site rules and regulations; maintains records and reports.

Job Responsibilities

1. Directs and participates in the maintenance of site grounds, trails, interior and exterior of all site buildings:

• Repairs and maintains picnic tables, benches, signs, etc
• Oversees equipment and facilities repairs
• Performs minor plumbing, HVAC, electrical repair and updates
• Performs general construction
• Operates heavy equipment to include commercial mowers, tow behind rotary mowers, up to 80hp tractor, excavators, bobcat, aerial lift bucket truck stump grinder and wood chipper
• Operates chainsaws with and without mill attachment
• Operates vehicles with a total GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds

2. Serves as lead worker to subordinate staff engaged in site maintenance activities, outdoor recreational programs

• Assigns, reviews, and controls work activities
• Provides guidance, direction, and training to permanent and seasonal staff
• Provides input to Site Superintendent for performance evaluations of subordinates

3. Assists in administering outdoor recreational programs:

• Sells camping permits, hunting and fishing licenses
• Plants food plots
• Creates nesting and browsing sites and completes habitat enhancement work
• Assists with prescribed burning, exotic plant and animal control work
• Applies pesticides and herbicides as directed
• Assist in protection needs for nature preserve satellites
• Conducts forest management work as TSI, hazard tree removal and assistance in implementing timber sales or environmental enhancement projects

4. Informs visitors of site rules and regulations requesting compliance:

• Inspects public use areas to determine if health and safety hazards exist
• Assigns staff to eliminate hazards
• Inspects to assure buildings and gates are opened and locked as appropriate

5. Maintains records and completes routine reports to include timesheets, attendance reports, firewood sales, OAE reports, fuel reports, and equipment/facility status:

• Monitors camping reservation system
• Prints shelter and camping permits
• Verifies camper compliance with self-registration system
• Assists with special event setup and implementation as required

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 associate's degree with courses in life sciences or parks and recreation. Note: experience may be substituted for some education, but completion of high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate is a minimum educational requirement.
• Requires one (1) year of maintenance or interpretive experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years working knowledge of departmental rules and regulations.
• Two (2) years elementary knowledge of outdoor recreational and natural program administration
• One (1) year of experience preparing and maintaining operating records and reports
• Two (2) years of experience assigning tasks, directing, and reviewing the work of subordinate staff
• Two (2) years of experience making minor repairs to tools and equipment used in the performance of non-skilled and/or semi-skilled maintenance.
• One (1) year of experience providing information, direction, and assistance to sports enthusiasts and the general public.

Employment Conditions

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position:

• Ability to pass a background check
• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License
• Ability to obtain a herbicide/pesticide operator's license within 6 months of employment
• Ability to withstand exposure to the elements on a year-round basis
• Physical ability to operate and maintain tools, equipment, and materials utilized in the maintenance, repair, and care of site resources, buildings, and grounds
• Ability to lift, carry, and transport loads exceeding 60 pounds
• Ability to walk over rough and broken terrain.
• Ability to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification within 6 months.

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; flexible/remote work schedules may be available in for certain positions.

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.