Naturalist Assistant Student Employee, # 0667

Overview:

The Naturalist Assistant Student Employee will join the Naturalist on a wide variety of ecological endeavors on both campuses including conservation and restoration propagation seasonal projects and educational activities mostly outside. The student will receive training in local plant and animal ID and ecological restoration concepts and techniques providing an excellent foundation for a career in ecological restoration.

Department Name:

Facilities

Campus Location:

Des Plaines with occasional joint trips to Skokie

Length of Employment:

Summer 2026; with opportunity to renew employment for Fall semester 2026.

Can a student do homework in this position

Never

Hours Available:

Summer 20-30 hours/week. Fall semester 10-15 hours/week.

Schedule Flexibility:

Flexible any hours between 8am-6pm M-TH. Students is expected to keep set schedule once determined.

Work Requirements:

Eagerness to learn about native ecosystems and ecological restoration. Ability to work outside in all weather and incidentals with training dealing with heat cold rain sun poison ivy thorns snakes mosquitoes and ticks. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse people. Ability to lift 30 pounds and to walk/kneel/bend for multiple hours at a time and to avoid trip hazards. Ability to use Google Drive Google Spreadsheets Google Docs and other tools in the Google Suite. Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English to read cursive handwriting and to follow direction accurately. Dependable transportation required. Familiarity with power tools and/or gardening concepts is preferred. Priority will be given to students seeking a career in environmental restoration and related fields.

Tasks Duties and Responsibilities and Learning Outcomes :

- Learning plant & animal ID and ecological restoration concepts (CD)

- Hand-pulling and cutting invasive plants shrubs and trees with hand tools (CD CT CM TW)

- Collecting processing and sowing native needs (CD CT CM TW)

- Collecting and recording data and photographs (CM TC CT CD)

- Propagating plants and fungi by seed cuttings and plug spawn (CD CT TW)

- Assisting Naturalist with interpretive programs groups tours and restoration work days interacting with diverse people groups (EI LD PF CD)

Student Employment Learning Outcomes Defined:

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified 8 career readiness competencies that broadly prepare college students for a successful transition into the workplace. Listed in alphabetical order they include:

1. Career and Self-Development (CD)

2. Communication (CM)

3. Critical Thinking (CT)

4. Equity and Inclusion (EI)

5. Leadership (LD)

6. Professionalism (PF)

7. Teamwork (TW)

8. Technology (TC)

For more information about the NACE Career Readiness Competencies please visit Qualifications (Knowledge Skills and Other abilities):

- Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during Fall 2026 semester. To work during summer student must be enrolled in at least one summer credit course or be enrolled in at least six credit hours for the Fall 2026 semester.

- Must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and be in good standing at Oakton College.

- Must be making satisfactory progress as defined by Oaktons Standards of Academic Progress policy toward achieving their educational goals.

-Must be able to communicate effectively in English in both verbal (spoken) and written forms.

- Must be able to walk bend crouch and kneel on uneven terrain for extended periods of time and be able to withstand outdoor conditions including heat humidity rain mud dust poison ivy mosquitoes and ticks.

- Must be able to lift 40 lbs comfortably and use hand tools including loppers pruners and saws.

- Must have a working proficiency in Google Drive and basic computing.

Application Process:

All interested applicants should complete an online application and provide a resume. Any questions can be directed to Amanda Krause at

Required Experience:

Junior IC