Position Overview

Under general supervision of the Site Superintendent, plans, develops, coordinates, and administers the natural and outdoor recreational interpretive programs at Illinois Beach State Park.

Job Responsibilities

1. Under general direction of the Site Superintendent, plans, develops, coordinates, and administers the natural and outdoor recreational interpretive programs at Illinois Beach State Park:

• Staffs the visitor center and disseminates site information to the public
• Develops, leads, and delivers outdoor recreational interpretive programs
• Develops audio-visual slide presentations for evening and off-site usage
• Prepares evening and daytime visitor activities
• Functions in a leadership capacity when required
• Coordinates interpretive programming efforts with area educators so that visiting school groups will achieve maximum benefit from park facilities
• Enhances the image of the park by public appearances and appropriate efforts in local and area news media
• Maintains and updates social media outlets about local events.
• Represents the Site Supervisor at meetings
• Interprets the natural, cultural, and historical value of hunting, camping, and fishing

2. Prepares a variety of outdoor exhibits and seeks ways to expand park interpretive services:

• Develops historical signs and wildlife viewing stations
• Monitors calendars of local and area events of interest, and related topics for campers

3. Plans the lay out and implementation of signs for guided foot and automotive tours being cognizant of the needs of school groups, senior citizens and the handicapped:

• Develop self-guided tours
• Prepares appropriate literature concerning developed trails in the park
• Frequently check conditions of park trails and supervise reforestation and trail-building efforts

4. Identifies and develops interpretive research projects for use locally and at other sites:

• Develop an interpretive master plan for the park with projections of anticipated usage, possible cost, and needs assessment justification

5. Oversees volunteers and conservation workers on special, unique, or routine maintenance projects:

• Plans and coordinates volunteers with park cleanup, trail rehabilitation, and interpretive development and implementation
• Plans future preventative and corrective maintenance for hiking trails

6. Participates in the research, design, and development of displays, exhibits and audio/visual presentations for such statewide events as the State Fair:

• Delivers informational and educational presentations to visitors at Conservation World
• Travels as needed

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

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a bachelor's degree in outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science
2. Requires one year of directly related professional experience, or completion of an agency sponsored training program.

Preferred Qualifications

1. One (1) year of elementary knowledge of division objectives, policies, programs, and services and state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, or natural heritage resource conservation

2. One (1) year of elementary knowledge of public relations, principles, and techniques, audio/visual and other interpretive methods, theories, and practices

3. One (1) year of elementary knowledge of budgetary planning

4. One (1) year of experience in preparing and maintaining records and written narrative reports

5. One (1) year of experience in collecting information and assisting in analyzing and evaluating technical data and reports

6. One (1) year of experience providing task-related direction and assistance to seasonal or intermittent employees, volunteers, landowners, sports enthusiasts, or the general public

7. One (1) year of experience delivering planned and impromptu informational presentations

8. One (1) year of experience developing the core site interpretive program, addressing site interpretive needs and translating those needs into meaningful outlets

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.

1. Ability to pass background check

2. Valid drivers license

3. Ability to travel

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.

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.