Prairie Restoration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The primary objective of this position is to assist the Park Ranger assigned to the Farm Creek Project and Illinois Waterway with numerous responsibilities. The SCA member will engage in the following activities: Environmental Stewardship: Support initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural environment. These may include prairie restoration, controlled burns, invasive species inventory and removal. Flood Risk Management: Assist in the maintenance of infrastructure to mitigate flood risks. Recreation Programs: Contribute to the development and management of recreational activities. Assist with water safety activities by land and water, including boat safety patrol and public education programs. Environmental Education and Outreach: Conduct educational programs to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. Volunteer Coordination: Direct volunteer crews in trail maintenance and other conservation efforts.

Hosting Organization

USACE Illinois Waterway

Location

Peoria, IL

Schedule

July 6, 2026 - July 2, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities

NRM Program Support. Work with existing USACE employees and partner organizations to provide trail maintenance and/or construction, GIS data collection and input; conduct natural resource inventories and surveys, timber stand improvement projects, water quality and prairie restoration work. Plan, layout, build and maintain wildflower and/or pollinator gardens. Intern will become trained in and operate tractor, ATV and other equipment as needed. Outreach and Environmental Education. Outreach tasks may include updating brochures and presentations, writing text for articles and designing interpretive panels focused on wildlife, natural resources, habitat restoration, and flood risk management. Planning and developing materials for youth environmental education and assisting with project tours and outreach events in the local community. Water Safety. Present Corps Water Safety Programs at schools, parks, and special events; assist the Corps Rangers with safety patrol by land or water. A USACE Natural Resources Specialist will provide daily monitoring during work performance and job training for the intern. USACE will provide training on GIS data collection and use of related software and equipment, defensive driving, and First Aid, CPR, and AED training, if interns do not already possess certification. Additional training will be provided for job-specific equipment needed to perform the assigned duties.

Marginal Duties

Additional intern tasks include field support for other natural resource programs including recreation, botany, wildlife biology and park operations.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge and experience in interpretive programming Working knowledge of trail design, construction and maintenance Working knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) practice and principles in a planning or natural resource management context. Familiar with Global Positioning System (GPS) units. Familiar with software products such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, relational databases and geospatial mapping. Must possess and maintain valid driver's license Possess good verbal and written communications skills. Physical ability to navigate developed and dispersed recreational sites and other natural areas, lift and carry a 20 lb. object (position may require extended periods in the outdoors during adverse conditions such as heat, cold or rain.) Ability to work as part of a team and take directions from USACE staff.

Preferred Qualifications

Coursework, class exercises or degree in resource management or communications, especially in natural resources context. Coursework, class exercises or degree in GIS, especially in natural resources context. Previous paid or volunteer experience in collecting GIS or GPS data. Previous natural/environmental sciences or outdoor recreation experience as employee or volunteer. Some knowledge of boating and water safety. Customer service or work with public, especially children and young adults. Chainsaw operation Landscaping/yard work experience Basic hand tool skills. First Aid, CPR, AED training Previous natural/environmental sciences, environmental education/outreach, or outdoor recreation experience as employee or volunteer.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Intern will provide their own housing. Housing allowance is $1,000.00/month. The entire Peoria and East Peoria, IL areas are within 10 miles of the duty reporting location.

Compensation

$350 - weekly Living Allowance; $1,000 - monthly Housing Allowance; $650 - Relocation Travel Grant* (if non-local) All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. *SCA positions with the US Army Corps of Engineers will receive a To/From Site travel reimbursement that reflects the actual roundtrip travel costs from their 'home' to the site. The reimbursement amount is based upon total distance (mileage) travelled and current federal per diem rates. Members are required to submit an expense report to SCA with documented round-trip travel costs for reimbursement. The requested reimbursement amount is capped at $650.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

Defensive Driving Training

First Aid/CPR

Health Insurance

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.