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Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) Roadside Ecology Program Manager (3531)

Working Position Title Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) Roadside Ecology Program Manager (3531)

Classification

Classification Director

Position Number

Position Number 00003531

Open Date

Open Date 08/07/2026

Close Date

Priority Review Date

Priority Review Date 09/04/2026

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 1330SPS03

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

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview The Roadside Ecology Program at Northern Illinois University 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. With direction from IDOT , the Roadside Ecology Program conducts ecological research and regulatory compliance work to evaluate and assess the impacts of transportation infrastructure on wildlife and ecosystems. 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 The Roadside Ecology Program Manager will serve as the main point-of-contact with the Illinois Department of Transportation and manage the workload of eleven Roadside Ecology staff to meet natural resource field survey and reporting needs for IDOT projects.

The Program

Manager will be principally responsible for reports from the program staff that outline regulatory documentation related to biological habitat and wetlands, maintain data and GIS records, budget and equipment records, conduct procurement, and other operational needs associated with implementing state/federal endangered species surveys and wetland delineations.

The Program

Manager should have extensive knowledge of and experience working on biological assessments and wetland delineations related to regulatory applications (e.g., NEPA ) as well as strong organizational and communication skills, experience managing teams and administering programs, multi-taxa competency, strong field skills, GIS proficiency, and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management

- Serve as primary contact with IDOT to obtain projects for the Roadside Ecology team and communicate with IDOT about project progress and other aspects when requested.
- Serve as supervisor and oversee Roadside Ecology Program staff of 8 to manage workloads ensuring reporting needs (surveys, syntheses, mitigation actions) are completed to support wildlife management in IDOT road areas.
- With collaboration from project team, lead the development of plans for wildlife surveys and wetland delineations to inform regulatory permitting needs for IDOT projects.
- With collaboration from project team, oversee the development of recommended actions to mitigate the impacts of development on wildlife and wetlands.
- Analyze and interpret data, ensuring findings are accurate, valid, and actionable.

Applied Research

- In collaboration with IDOT , NICCS leadership, and NIU faculty,



develop and oversee implementation of studies to inform Best Management Practices for road and highway management programs.
- Conduct literature reviews, review/analyze data, and generate new knowledge to better understand the state of the field related to managing Illinois ecosystems, especially related to transportation corridors.
- Collaborate with project team, and where necessary, lead the writing and generation of materials for white papers, reviews, and other scientific documentation.
- Participate in (and oversee, as needed) the translation of research findings through meetings, workshops, and events with internal and external partners.

Resource Management and Maintenance

- Oversee and maintain records for travel and inventory of field materials, equipment, and other resources.
- Maintain GIS datasets (including field-based data) for use by the Roadside Ecology team, IDOT staff, and other stakeholders/partners as needed.
- Procure materials to ensure that the Roadside Ecology team has the materials needed to complete project work.
- Create regular progress reports, in coordination with NIU Sponsored Programs, documenting program achievements, expenditures, and funds status during performance periods.
- Maintain knowledge and records of regional endangered species and issues related to program-related development.

Other Related Duties

- Oversee communication and coordination with other stakeholders in setting up field surveys and report development.
- Serve as primary contact to communicate and coordinate with IDOT -supported 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.
- Coordinate with NICCS and IDOT management to develop new initiatives or projects.
- Participate in professional development opportunities.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

- Master’s Degree and 10 years of experience or PhD and 7 years experience in wildlife biology or related field, such as interdisciplinary ecology, wetland science, or botany, and work experience in ecological profession including leading/managing endangered species/habitat surveys and conducting wetland delineations.
- Experience writing reports and synthesizing data for regulatory applications or permitting needs.
- Experience in program and staff management, including strategic thinking, external and internal communication, staff planning/scheduling, resource management, staff leadership/performance management, and conflict resolution.
- Experience obtaining and ability to obtain permits for endangered species surveys in Illinois.
- A positive track record of leading teams to implement field surveys and develop reports
- Experience managing data from GPS units, ArcGIS, and/or other ESRI field data collection software.
- Experience conducting research related to wildlife management, wetlands, and/or endangered species habitat.
- 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 regional flora, fauna, and ecological systems of northern Illinois. Demonstrated ecological identification skills, including plants, animals, ecological communities, wetlands, soils, and others as necessary.
- Thorough understanding of restoration ecology theory,



principles and practices and ability to apply to projects.
- Demonstrated ability to perform skilled ecological work, such as independent studies, complex data analyses, and development of habitat mitigation actions.
- Knowledge of Midwestern flora, fauna, ecological communities, soils, and natural systems.
- Knowledge of required content for reporting on endangered species and wetland delineations.
- Knowledge of restoration ecology principles, ecological assessment methods, habitat management techniques, and mechanisms to mitigate impacts of development on wildlife and wetlands.
- Knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, including Clean Water Act Sections 404/401 and endangered species laws.
- Knowledge of ecological research design, scientific methods, and quantitative analysis.
- Skill using GIS systems, GPS field data collection tools, and ESRI platforms, (e.g., ArcGIS, Avenza, Field Maps, Survey123), and mechanisms for organizing data.
- Skill in conducting field surveys across multiple taxa (plants, birds, mammals, reptiles/amphibians, insects).
- Skill in preparing technical reports, natural resource assessments, and regulatory documentation.
- Skill in analyzing ecological datasets, interpreting scientific results, and disseminating results in written reports and oral presentations.
- Ability to conduct professional ecological work, including field studies, data analysis, and development of recommendations to minimize or avoid impacts, independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to obtain permits to handle endangered species in Illinois.
- Ability to apply environmental regulations to transportation projects and compliance situations.
- Ability to problem-solve and contribute to improved data collection, assessment methods, and reporting processes.
- Ability to balance leadership of a regulatory service program with applied research responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

- Conduct full-day field surveys in harsh terrain, with conditions varying from hot to wet to cold (i.e., through the year in northern Illinois). Terrain likely to include hillslopes, wetlands, prairies, forests, and other typical northern Illinois environments, at times with uncertain footing and dense vegetation.
- Using computer/electronic equipment for extended periods of time.
- May require occasional overnight travel to meetings and workshops (less than once per month).
- Occasional field days of longer duration than 7.5 hours to complete field surveys.
- Occasional lifting and moving items weighing up to 40 lbs.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 10/1/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

Percent of Staff Year 1.00

Standard Hours Per Week 37.50

Working Hours

Working Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 PM, with longer days occasionally needed to complete field surveys.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services Building Room 230

[email protected]

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📌 Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) Roadside Ecology Program Manager (3531)
🏢 Northern Valley Indian Health
📍 Capital Regional District