Conservation Ecologist, Chicago, Keller Science Action Center
$62,000–$70,000 year
On-siteChicago, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Provide ecological and taxonomic expertise to Action Center conservation efforts in the Chicago region, leading initiatives with interdisciplinary teams on planning, fieldwork, and technical reporting. Manage key partner relationships to establish new collaborations that advance conservation goals for local communities, while synthesizing insights to leverage results at larger landscape scales. Contribute to grant proposals, peer-reviewed publications, and the creation of training tools to support the development of long-term conservation strategies and funding opportunities. This 3-year term position involves regular local fieldwork and 10-20% regional travel, reporting to the Sr. Director of the Keller Science Action Center. The role integrates expertise into decision-making for conservation and people's well-being within the Chicago Wilderness region.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife science, or related conservation science field
- Minimum 4 years of experience in applied conservation science, including fieldwork and project implementation
- Demonstrated experience working in the Chicago region or a similar large metropolitan ecosystem where conservation occurs across an urban natural mosaic and at corridor/landscape scales
- Experience managing projects
- Competent working both independently and in a team
- Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills
- Able to structure ideas clearly
- Able to communicate in English to a wide range of audiences
- Proficiency with digital work platforms such as MS Office and Google Workspace
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment
- 10-20% of the year devoted to regional travel
Desired Qualifications
- Experience receiving input from local communities to shape their research
- Fluency in Spanish
- Experience working with diverse partners and stakeholders
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