Illinois e-News Release

Friday, March 10, 2023

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SPRINGFIELD – 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:

Mississippi Palisades State Park, Savanna

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Chandlerville

Lincoln Trail State Park, Marshall

Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Carlyle

Fox Ridge State Park, Charleston

Walnut Point State Park, Oakland

Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area, Ramsey

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, Whittington

Cave-in-Rock State Park, Cave-in-Rock

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area, Kewanee

Apple River Canyon State Park, Apple River

Kankakee River State Park, Bourbonnais

Castle Rock State Park, Oregon

Illini State Park, Marseilles

Starved Rock State Park, Utica

Franklin Creek State Natural Area, Franklin Grove

James C. Helfrich Game Propagation Center, Lincoln

Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, Kinmundy

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Belknap

Argyle Lake State Park, Colchester

Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg

Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher

Fort Kaskaskia, Ellis Grove

World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta

Sahara Woods State Recreation Area, Carrier Mills

Sangchris Lake State Park, Rochester

Eagle Creek State Park, Findlay

Hidden Springs State Forest, Strasburg

Rock Island Trail State Park, Wyoming

Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park