Strike Team Crew Member; Program Coordinator

Strike Team Crew Member (Program Coordinator)

Category:
Administrative, Professional & Staff Positions

Department: KIBBE LIFE SCIENCE STATION

Locations:
Macomb, IL

Employees in this position assist in conducting natural areas stewardship activities including, but not limited to, prescribed burning, firebreak creation and maintenance, seed collection and spreading, and herbaceous and woody invasive species control using chemical and mechanical means in conjunction with grant‑funded resource management. Proper operation of vehicles and use of management/prescribed equipment. Help with equipment upkeep and maintenance. Assist in maintaining records of management methods/techniques used, herbicide used, other commodities used (chain oil fuel), acreage treated and total hours worked per site.

Work Location:

Alice Kibbe Field Station

Appointment:
April 1, 2026 (Duration of position is for 20 months)

Monthly Wage: $3,128 - $3,466

• Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP, and CDHP)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Plan
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Supplemental Long‑Term Disability (LTD)
• Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP)
• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois. Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time‑off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.

For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage:

For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at HR-Benefits or by calling .

• Bachelor's degree in biology, botany, field ecology, wildlife management, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
• A total of one (1) year (12 months) in resource management. (
  
  Note:
  
  Master's degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)
• Valid driver's license.
• Experience and training with prescribed fire operations.

• Experience driving 4WD trucks and UTVs.
• Wildland Firefighter Type 2 and herbicide applicator certification.
• First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Experience using hand tools (council rake, hoe, axe) and 2‑stroke powered equipment (chainsaw, weed eater, leaf blower).

• Effective oral/written communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in outdoor environments, changing weather conditions, often in remote uneven terrain, under minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in commonly employed software including Microsoft Office.
• Must possess or have the ability to quickly acquire appropriate field skills as well as the physical skills necessary to carry out work.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with other crew members, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Station staff.
• For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree‑granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). The degree must be conferred at the time of application.

About WIU:
Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU‑Quad Cities non‑residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.

WIU‑Macomb, IL:
Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post‑ba