Interdisciplinary Wildlife/Wetland Ecologist (35315) Multiple Positions

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Interdisciplinary Wildlife/Wetland Ecologist (35315) Multiple Positions

Working Position Title Interdisciplinary Wildlife/Wetland Ecologist (35315) Multiple Positions

Classification

Classification Research Associate

Position Number

Position Number

Open Date

Open Date 08/07/2026

Close Date

Priority Review Date

Priority Review Date 09/16/2026

Employee Class

Employee Class Staff

Full-Time/Part Time

Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Status

Position Status Regular

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Job code

Job code 1620SPS04

Union Representation

Union Representation Non-Union

Union Code

Union Code N/A

Unit/Department

Unit/Department VP Research and Innv Prtnrshp

College/Unit

College/Unit VP Research and Innv Prtnrshp

Division

Division Research and Innv Prtnrshp

Location

Location LH 301

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The new Roadside Ecology Program at Northern Illinois University welcomes applicants for eight (8) full-time interdisciplinary ecologists. Interdisciplinary Ecologists conduct field-based ecological research and regulatory compliance work as part of the Roadside Ecology Program mission to quantify and assess the impacts of transportation infrastructure on wildlife, wetlands, and ecosystems. This position supports a long-term partnership between Northern Illinois University and the Illinois Department of Transportation ( IDOT ), serving the environmental compliance needs of the northern third of Illinois while advancing applied research in roadside ecology. The Roadside Ecology Program is a subunit of NIU's Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability, which aims to conduct applied research to strengthen communities and the ecosystems they occupy.

Position Summary

Positions represent a balance of regulatory service work (approximately 60%) with applied research (approximately 40%). Interdisciplinary Ecologists will be assigned to either the Biological Team (focused on wildlife, threatened and endangered species, and multi-taxa surveys) or the Wetland Team (focused on wetland delineation, functional assessments, and aquatic resources). All positions require multi-taxa competency, strong field skills, GIS proficiency, and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Applied Research

• Review and conduct studies to inform Best Management Practices for road and highway management programs
• Collaborate with project team to write and generate other materials for white papers, reviews, and other scientific documentation
• Support the translation of research findings through meetings, workshops, and events with internal and external partners

Regulatory Report Development

• Collaborate with Program team to write and assemble reports that meet the needs for IDOT natural resources permitting purposes, including descriptions of impacts and proposed mitigation actions to reduce impacts
• Use GIS to transfer GPS data to project maps to illustrate field-based findings and analyze results of field surveys
• Prepare text and other materials for IDOT -related natural resources permitting reports: tables, references, maps, graphs, and other types of figures

Wildlife and Wetland Field Assessments

• Collaborate with project team to develop survey designs for wetland delineations, species and/or habitat surveys that evaluate impacts of proposed IDOT highway projects to natural resources
• Travel to field sites and work alongside other Interdisciplinary Ecologists to implement ecological field assessment surveys to document wetlands, endangered species, and other significant natural resources
• Use GPS to record data collection areas and ecologically significant features that are found during field studies
• Analyze and interpret data, ensuring findings are accurate, valid, and actionable.
• Manage and maintain travel records and inventory of field materials, equipment, and other resources

Other Related Duties

• Communicate and coordinate with other stakeholders during field surveys and report development
• Communicate and coordinate with IDOT Roadside Ecology Programs in other parts of the state
• Participate in creative problem solving for projects and improve processes for data gathering, assessments, analysis, reporting, team coordination, and project management
• Assist with new initiatives or projects
• Participate in professional development opportunities

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

n/a

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

n/a

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

n/a

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

• Bachelor's Degree in wildlife biology or related field, such as interdisciplinary ecology, wetland science, or botany, and 3 years of experience in ecological profession conducting endangered species or habitat surveys and conducting wetland delineations.
• Experience studying/handling, and ability to obtain permits to handle, endangered species in Illinois.
• Experience writing reports for regulatory applications.
• A positive track record of working as part of a team to implement field surveys and develop reports.
• Experience with GPS units, ArcGIS, and/or other ESRI field data collection software.
• Thorough understanding of restoration ecology theory, principles and practices and ability to apply to projects.
• Experience with state and federal environmental regulations and permitting processes, specifically, CWA Sections 404/401 and state and federal endangered species programs.

Additional Requirements (SPS)

• Advanced knowledge of local and regional flora, fauna, and ecological systems of northern Illinois. Demonstrated ecological identification skills, including plants, animals, ecological communities, wetlands, soils, and others as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to perform professional ecological work, such as independent studies, complex data analyses, and development of habitat mitigation actions.
• Knowledge of restoration ecology principles, habitat management, and ecological assessment methods.
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, including Clean Water Act Sections 404/401 and endangered species laws.
• Knowledge of wetland delineation standards and functional assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of ecological research design, scientific methods, and quantitative analysis.
• Knowledge of GIS systems, GPS field data collection tools, and ESRI platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, Avenza, Field Maps, Survey123).
• Skill in conducting field surveys across multiple taxa (plants, birds, mammals, reptiles/amphibians, insects).
• Skill in performing wetland delineations, vegetation monitoring, and habitat assessments.
• Skill in using GIS software and GPS tools for spatial data collection and analysis.
• Skill in analyzing ecological datasets and interpreting scientific results.
• Skill in preparing technical reports, natural resource assessments, and regulatory documentation.
• Skill in project coordination, task management, and resource organization.
• Skill in communicating effectively with regulators, clients, internal teams, and external partners.
• Ability to conduct professional ecological work, including field studies, data analysis, and development of mitigation recommendations, independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to apply environmental regulations to transportation projects and compliance situations.
• Ability to obtain permits to handle endangered species in Illinois.