IDNR seeking seasonal conservation workers for state parks and historic sites

[March 14, 2023]     The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking applicants for seasonal conservation workers at state parks and historic sites around the state.

Conservation workers are the department’s boots on the ground at state sites during the busy summer seasons. These are temporary positions not to exceed six months.

Conservation workers perform routine maintenance and custodial duties, such as mowing, landscaping, painting, cleaning, loading and unloading vehicles, cutting firewood and more. Other responsibilities include assisting in preparing locations for hunting and fishing, preparing sites for programs, assisting in the care of cover crops and food plots, maintaining tools and equipment, and performing basic vehicle maintenance. Conservation workers make periodic rounds at sites to check for safety, clear and maintain trails and pathways, install signage, and more. They also assist site visitors and direct traffic when needed, as well as participate in interpretive and educational activities at historic sites.

“These are excellent summer jobs for people who enjoy being outdoors and are excited to help visitors enjoy Illinois’ beautiful state parks and historic sites,” said Paula Martel, director of IDNR’s Office of Land Management. “Seasonal workers gain valuable professional experience and a unique understanding of what it takes to operate these sites.”

To learn more about the positions, qualifications, deadline for applications, and instructions for applying, visit https://bit.ly/IDNRjobs. Look for positions titled “conservation/historic preservation worker.” Openings for more seasonal positions at additional sites will be added in the coming weeks.

IDNR currently has openings at the following locations:

Carroll County
Mississippi Palisades State Park, Savanna

Cass County
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Chandlerville

Clark County
Lincoln Trail State Park, Marshall

Clinton County
Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Carlyle

Coles County
Fox Ridge State Park, Charleston

Douglas County
Walnut Point State Park, Oakland

Fayette County
Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area, Ramsey

Franklin County
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, Whittington

Hardin County
Cave-in-Rock State Park, Cave-in-Rock

Henry County
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area, Kewanee

Jo Daviess County
Apple River Canyon State Park, Apple River

Kankakee County
Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais

Ogle County
Castle Rock State Park, Oregon

LaSalle County
Illini State Park, Marseilles
Starved Rock State Park, Utica

Lee County
Franklin Creek State Natural Area, Franklin Grove

Logan County
James C. Helfrich Game Propagation Center, Lincoln

Marion County
Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, Kinmundy

Massac County
Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Belknap

McDonough County
Argyle Lake State Park, Colchester

Menard County
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg

Randolph County
Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher
Fort Kaskaskia, Ellis Grove
World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta

Saline County
Sahara Woods State Recreation Area, Carrier Mills

Sangamon County
Sangchris Lake State Park, Rochester

Shelby County
Eagle Creek State Park, Findlay
Hidden Springs State Forest, Strasburg

Stark County
Rock Island Trail State Park, Wyoming

Winnebago County
Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park

[Illinois Office of Communication and Information]