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Chicago Master Gardener

A blog for Chicago Master Gardeners providing information on volunteer opportunities, training, workshops and resources.

February 9, 2010

2nd Job Opening:

Hourly Research Specialist (temporary)

The Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago is conducting a multi-year project to examine the impact of policies, programs and other factors in the built environment on youth eating and physical activity behaviors, and on youth obesity. We are seeking to hire academic hourly Research Specialists to collect observational data from locations across the continental U.S. in 2010. This temporary hourly position will last up to 4-5 months and will pay an hourly rate of $17 based on individual hours worked, without benefits. There is no guaranteed minimum number of hours per week. Research Specialists will work 25 to 40 hours per week and will spend a majority of time collecting data in a variety of environments. Individuals will travel by car and/or airplane to various locations throughout the U.S., and stay in hotels for several consecutive days. In each community visited, individuals will be required to travel by car/on foot in order to conduct observational research.


In this position you will:

- Collect data from food stores, restaurants, public parks, street segments, and recreational facilities that will help to identify the opportunities (or lack thereof) for healthy eating and active living in communities around U.S.;
- Work in teams of two and visit approximately 10-15 communities over the course of the project;
- Locate food and physical activity outlets in each community, and complete detailed survey forms about each location;
- Work closely under UIC supervision to collect and organize field data; and
- Participate in regular debriefing calls and web-based and/or in-person meetings with UIC research teams.

Qualifications:
- Availability to attend a paid training session in Chicago from April 12 – April 30 and to work through July 2010 for data collection;
- Bachelors degree;
- Possession of a valid driver's license, auto insurance, and a good driving record;
- Experience with traveling;
- Ability to travel around the country frequently (e.g., Monday through Friday on a weekly basis);
- Very strong organizational skills and high attention to detail;
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, and an ability to work with others in close environment;
- Basic computer literacy in Word as well as the Internet;
- Must be self-motivated and be able to work without daily supervision; and
- Must be an energetic and enthusiastic collaborative team player.

Desired qualifications:
- Previous experience with national fieldwork or observational data collection;
- Understanding of survey research and data collection; and
- Basic proficiency in Spanish.

To apply
For full consideration, please send a resume with a cover letter to btgcomp@uic.edu by February 12, 2010. References will be required as a condition of employment. Applications will be reviewed/accepted until the positions are filled.

Please, no phone calls. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants of interest will be contacted.

UIC is an AA/EOE.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:15 PM | Permalink |

February 9, 2010

Job Opening:

WRD ENVIRONMENTAL IS CURRENTLY SEEKING:

Program Manager for Calumet Stewardship Corps

WRD Environmental, an ecological design/build firm that creates and fosters environmentally responsible landscapes, is seeking a Program Manager to design, plan, coordinate and direct the new Calumet Stewardship Corps (CSC). The program will be a restoration-based initiative of the Greencorps Chicago Program. Greencorps Chicago (GCC) is the City of Chicago Department of Environment's community greening and job training program run in partnership with WRD Environmental. Greencorps Chicago's mission is to promote establishment of natural spaces that are safe, healthy and sustainable through hands-on involvement with trainees and community partners.

This position is a full-time assignment through December 2011 that is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) through the U.S. Forest Service. The program's intent is to build on existing momentum in the Calumet region of Chicago to restore more than 4,000 acres of open space in the Calumet Open Space Reserve.

As part of the CSC program, between 8 and 16 trainees from the Calumet region will be hired and trained in a range of skills including but not limited to ecological restoration, native plantings, invasive species control, basic horticulture, forestry, pesticide application, prescribed burns and more. Additional environmentally focused training may be provided through Greencorps training partners. Work will be conducted primarily in the Calumet region of Chicago on the City's far southeast side at properties owned by the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and others. The Program Manager will serve as a WRD consultant to the Chicago Department of Environment to implement the program.

The responsibilities of the Program Manager include:

- Manage and supervise crews-on site each day and transport to and from work sites;

- Design the overall program and schedule for the two-year period;

- Create weekly schedule;

- Develop or adapt restoration curriculum and activities to prepare trainees with knowledge to complete field projects;

- Train crew in ecological restoration, landscape and related fields and arrange for outside trainers and speakers

- Work with City departments and sister and partner agencies to identify and schedule appropriate field projects for CSC crews;

- Evaluate and document crew performance on a monthly basis;

- Document project progress, manage budget and track data for ARRA reporting;

- Assist with special projects, events and other tasks as needed.


Qualifications for this position include:

- Graduate of an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Restoration Ecology, Natural Resource Management or related field and five years experience in ecological site restoration, or an equivalent combination of training and experience

- Three years experience managing or leading field crews;

- Experience teaching in a classroom and/or field setting a plus;

- Project management experience, including program design and budget management;

- Construction, carpentry, hardscape, tree care, urban agriculture experience a benefit;

- Possessing a current Illinois pesticide applicator license or ability to secure one within two months;

- Having Forest Service S-130/S-190 burn training required; S-290/S-390 preferred with experience in active crew work on prescribed burns in the Chicagoland region;

- Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills;

- Ability to work independently while adhering to goals and timelines;

- Ability to work with a diverse population of hard to employ individuals and a wide range of partners;

- Understanding of the Calumet Region of Chicago a plus;

- Good computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint);

- Ability to lift and move heavy objects (50 – 75 lbs) and work outside in inclement weather and extreme temperatures;

- Must have a valid Illinois driver=s license with clean driving record for the duration of the project

- Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends, evenings or holidays (schedule to be determined).

Salary range is $40,000 to $53,000 depending on experience.

Resumes accepted until February 17, 2010. Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. WRD Environmental is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please submit resume in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format to:

Attn: Roxann Salinas

E-mail- wrdcaluresume@wrdenvironmental.com

Posted by Ron Wolford at 9:00 PM | Permalink |