Kane County Forest Preserve District offers internships, seasonal positions

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County seeks applicants for 2023 summer-seasonal positions and internships.

The following positions are available: campground attendant; horticulturist/garden seasonal; horticulturist intern; human resources specialist; mechanic specialist; naturalist intern; natural resources technician; public relations intern; and ranger technicians intern/seasonal.

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older, except the naturalist intern, may be age 16 or older and the campground attendant and horticulturist intern, may be age 21 or older. These are full-time positions, except the human resources specialist is a part-time position. All candidates' must possess a valid driver's license, and able to maintain an enthusiastic, courteous, positive attitude and team spirit.

Job duties differ by position. Campground attendants will provide information and answer questions to campers and the public, collect fees; operate campground check-in station and inspect and clean grounds. Morning and afternoon shifts are available, Sunday-Saturday and shifts may include holidays.

• The horticulturist/garden seasonal will carry out the proper pruning and horticultural practices of existing plant materials, and maintain the gardens and grounds of Fabyan Forest Preserve. Hours are typically 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and will include some Saturdays.

• The horticulturist intern will devise and document plans for maintaining the historical garden, carry out proper pruning and horticultural practices of existing plant materials, assist with budgets, coordinate and help install landscape plans, and maintain the grounds of Fabyan Forest Preserve and other areas as assigned. Hours are typically 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

• The human resources specialist will participate in the recruitment process, assist with safety inspections and communications, maintain the district's volunteer database, digitize and organize files, and provide assistance with special events and workdays. This is a part-time position and hours vary depending on candidate's availability, and may include weekends and evenings.

• The mechanic specialist will assist the mechanic in a variety of daily tasks including performing inspections of vehicles, basic maintenance of vehicles and equipment, and driving equipment to job sites. Hours are typically 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

• The naturalist intern will work with the district's environmental education staff to plan and conduct various nature programs. Interns will assist in teaching and leading activities, including summer camps, and assist the naturalist staff with daily operation of the Nature Center. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and may include weekends, evenings and holidays.

• The natural resources technician will assist field staff with natural areas management tasks including, but not limited to exotic species management; sign posting; and seed harvesting for ongoing restoration activities. Hours are typically 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and may include some Saturdays and evenings.

• The public relations intern will assist with district communications; help write, edit and/or design various marketing and communication pieces; monitor and post to District's social media and website; promote nature programs, and work as a facility assistant, when needed. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and may include weekends, evenings and holidays.

• The ranger technicians intern/seasonal will mow and maintain picnic areas, trails, parking lots and roadways; perform custodial work as required; assist with maintenance and repairs of buildings and structures; drive equipment to job sites; and perform routine inspection maintenance on equipment. Hours are limited to a 40-hour workweek and may include shift work, weekends and holidays.

• The wildlife technician-research will assist with turtle surveys and tracking; data collection and entry; maintain and repair hoop traps; perform natural areas management tasks; and participate in frog, salamander and snake surveys. Hours are typically 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and may include early mornings, evenings and weekends.

For applications or information, visit ww.kaneforest.com/careers.

If you have questions, contact Shelley Kouzes, human resources generalist, at (630) 208-8662. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.