Summer Ecology Assistant

The expected hiring range for this position is:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

About the Role: 
Fermilab’s Infrastructure Services team builds and maintains mission-critical infrastructure and services ensuring research can be safely accomplished at the lab without interruption. Fermilab’s Infrastructure Services Division is looking for a Summer Ecology Assistant.

What your day-to-day as a Summer Ecology Assistant at Fermilab will look like:

• Work with the Ecologists in various aspects of habitat management and restoration.
• Collect and process native seed.
• Control invasive species using mechanical and chemical practices.
• Perform botanical surveys of restored prairie, forest, and wetland communities.
• Use ArcGIS Online.
• Carry out tree and shrub care.
• Assist with volunteer workdays and research projects.
• Optional summer research project

Skills and Attributes for Success:

• A candidate who is at 18 years of age, has a high school diploma or equivalent and is currently enrolled in a college or graduated in 2026.
• A background in biology is preferred, with an avid interest in field ecology, especially in the area of ecosystem restoration.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Basic ability to identify native plants and wildlife found in northern Illinois habitats such a tallgrass prairie, savanna, forest and wetland, and a willingness to learn much more.
• Prefer some experience with use of UTVs, trucks, mowers, weed whips, hand tools, etc.
• Ability to pass a general standards pesticide exam and use of herbicides is required.
• A self-motivated candidate, who is detail oriented, organized, follow directions, and can work efficiently alone or as part of a team. 

Physical Activity and Work Conditions Human Factors 

• Physical Activity will include lifting 50 pounds and consist of predominantly outdoor work
• Work will consist of a variety of weather conditions such as heat, sun, rain and wind
• Biological hazards such as mosquitoes, bees, wasps, poison ivy, chiggers and ticks

Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final. 

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Why Fermilab: 
Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening  

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings.

Equal Opportunity Statement   

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. 

What To Expect Next:
We’ll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page.