Position Overview

Under administrative direction of the Section Administrator, serves as the Natural Resources Manager for Region 1 to ensure that highly complex and comprehensive wildlife resource management and related outdoor recreation planning work is completed accurately and in a timely fashion; prioritizes, tracks, and compiles work assignments; provides critical support to the Department's response to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD); critical in controlling feral swine; establishes and maintains landowner contacts and provides oversight for sharpshooting in Illinois' CWD counties. Travels throughout the state.

Job Responsibilities

1. Under administrative direction of the Section Administrator, as the Wildlife Region Administrator, directs, supervises and assists personnel in the continuous delivery of professional and technical services to both public and private sectors for all wildlife programs within the Region:

• As the Wildlife Region Administrator, plans, directs, supervises, coordinates, controls and evaluates the activities of all regional and district-based personnel in the implementation and execution of the Wildlife programs within Region 1.
• Assures compliance with applicable policies, procedures, goals and objectives and makes recommendations to the Section Administrator regarding personnel transactions.
• Travels throughout the state, assisting personnel in the field.

2. Serves as full-line supervisor:

• Assigns and reviews work.
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff.
• Counsels staff regarding work performance.
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs.
• Establishes annual goals and objectives.
• Approves time off.
• Adjusts first level grievances.
• Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge.
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations.
• Determines and recommends staffing needs.

3. Directs and coordinates the activities of personnel and participates directly to ensure fulfillment of mandatory, obligatory and informal, cooperative and working agreements with other state, federal and local agencies:

• Assures participations by personnel and actively participates in liaison work designed to inform and generate interest on part of various constituent and interest groups and the general public.
• Represents the Region or Office in related meetings, conferences or negotiations.

4. Plans and monitors the development of the region's annual budget:

• Establishes budgetary priorities and controls the expenditures of appropriated funds to comply with the State Purchasing Act and Office guidelines.

5. Independently and in consultation with the Section Administers, evaluates existing policies, programs, procedures, legislation and administrative orders and develops, recommends and/or implements changes as needed or required:

• Coordinates regional participation in and evaluation of program-oriented research studies and investigations.

6. Assumes management responsibilities for the Section in the absence of the Section Administrator.

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree in fish, wildlife, forestry, natural heritage resource management or in a related biological science.
• Requires six (6) years progressively responsible professional experience in fish, wildlife, forestry or natural heritage resource management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fish, wildlife, forestry or natural heritage resource conservation.
• Two (2) years of knowledge of the operations of the geographical region, or major statewide program.
• Two (2) years of knowledge of managerial procedures and techniques, program budgeting, personnel, statistics and procurements.
• Two (2) years experience directing, supervising, and evaluating staff and operations within an assigned geographical region, or a major statewide resource program.

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:

• Ability to pass background check.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions
• Ability to lift, carry, and transport loads exceeding 60 pounds
• Ability to travers rough and broken terrain on foot without mechanical assistance
• Ability to negotiate a variety of natural obstacles while using, carrying, or otherwise transporting a variety of equipment

Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting and promoting Illinois' natural and cultural resources, 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 Resource Conservation strives to conserve the state's wildlife, fisheries, natural lands and forest resources for future generations while providing sustainable recreational opportunities for all Illinoisans. The mission of the Division of Wildlife Resources is to provide leadership with the restoration, management and protection of wildlife populations and their habitats, in accordance with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.