Engagement Corps Crew Member

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:

• 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 check

Beneficial qualifications:

• Experience in conservation/environmental-based education public programming 
• Formal or infor