Open Positions
Get involved with Lake Forest Open Lands and join our team!
Executive Director (posted 1/14/22)
The Executive Director leads the successful management of Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) and the hiring and supervision of all full-time, part-time and seasonal staff as required to achieve the mission and goals of LFOLA.
The Executive Director is responsible for all operations and personnel of the organization including annual finances, advancement and fundraising, marketing and outreach, public relations, board communications, governance, community engagement, land preservation programs, land management and strategic planning for the organization.
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Qualified candidates should email EDsearch@lfola.org a cover letter, resume and references by February 11, 2022.
There are no positions open at this time.
Restoration Technician (posted 2/13/23)
The Restoration Technician position is a full-time position based in Lake Forest, Illinois. This position reports to the Director of Land Stewardship to identify, implement, assess, and perform restoration and land stewardship activities for Lake Forest Open Land’s (LFOLA) properties and preserves. This position works as part of the Land Stewardship team on ecological restoration, preserve maintenance and community engagement.
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Applications due by March 1. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to the Director of Land Stewardship, Heather Decker at hdecker@lfola.org.
Restoration Ecology Summer Internship (posted 2/1/23)
The paid summer internship is a nine-week program committed to restoring wildlife habitat, preserving high-quality prairies, and maintaining trails for public access. The internship includes a direct educational component including a research project, field trips to local environmental organizations, and guest speakers.
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Qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Molly Marz at mmarz@lfola.org. Email subject line “Restoration Ecology Internship.”
Program Manager, Center for Conservation Leadership (posted 1/18/22)
The Program Coordinator will develop, coordinate and deliver CCL’s environmental stewardship programming for high school students from communities throughout Lake County, IL. In addition to having primary responsibility for CCL operations, the PM will assist LFOLA’s Director of Education with community outreach programming for audiences that include children ages 5 to 15 years old, adults and families. We are looking for a motivated, creative and energetic individual who is passionate about the environment and land conservation to help build community awareness and support for open space and native habitat through education programs.
Click here for a full job description.
Qualified candidates should email jobs@lfola.org a cover letter and resume.
Program Manager, Center for Conservation Leadership (posted 1/18/22)
The Program Coordinator will develop, coordinate and deliver CCL’s environmental stewardship programming for high school students from communities throughout Lake County, IL. In addition to having primary responsibility for CCL operations, the PM will assist LFOLA’s Director of Education with community outreach programming for audiences that include children ages 5 to 15 years old, adults and families. We are looking for a motivated, creative and energetic individual who is passionate about the environment and land conservation to help build community awareness and support for open space and native habitat through education programs.
Click here for a full job description.
Qualified candidates should email jobs@lfola.org a cover letter and resume.
Seasonal Environmental Education Assistant (Summer position, posted 1/18/22)
Interested in spending your summer outside working with children? Lake Forest Open Lands is hiring a seasonal assistant to work with our Field Education team as we plan, organize and lead children’s outdoor programs. Lake Forest Open Lands Association offers a variety of summer outdoor programs for children ages 2-12. We explore native habitats, learn outdoor skills like shelter building and campfire cooking, create nature art and discover the wonders of the natural world.
Click here for a full job description.
Click here for a downloadable print application or apply here.
Seasonal Environmental Education Assistant (Summer position, posted 1/18/22)
Interested in spending your summer outside working with children? Lake Forest Open Lands is hiring a seasonal assistant to work with our Field Education team as we plan, organize and lead children’s outdoor programs. Lake Forest Open Lands Association offers a variety of summer outdoor programs for children ages 2-12. We explore native habitats, learn outdoor skills like shelter building and campfire cooking, create nature art and discover the wonders of the natural world.
Click here for a full job description.
Click here for a downloadable print application or apply here.
Environmental Educator and Programs Coordinator (posted 6/2/22)
The full time Environmental Educator and Programs Coordinator position requires a multi-dimensional educator with natural science content knowledge and a passion for the outdoors and teaching. It entails implementation of onsite and offsite science and environmental education programming for a wide variety of audiences varying in ages from pre-K to adults. Program development responsibilities especially curriculum writing and revision are also required.
Click here for a full job description.
Qualified candidates should email jobs@lfola.org a cover letter and resume.
About Lake Forest Open Lands
Since its establishment in 1967, Lake Forest Open Lands, the first accredited land trust in Illinois, has acquired, preserved and maintained some of the finest natural habitats in our region including prairies, savannas, ravines and wetlands. Over 16 miles of walking trails and 8, soon to be 10, nature preserves are open to the public year-round. Lake Forest Open Lands Association’s vision is to engage and expand the public’s commitment to land preservation and conservation, and the organization offers robust engagement programming to connect all people to nature. As an independent conservation land trust, LFOLA is supported solely by voluntary contributions, including membership dues and donations and receives no local or state government funding to support its day-to-day operations.
Work Culture
At LFOLA we strive to engage and expand our community’s commitment to land preservation and conservation. Our mission statement states: We are an independently funded conservation and educational organization devoted to the acquisition and stewardship of our natural landscapes, and to ensuring all generations have a meaningful, lasting connection to nature. As such, every team member at LFOLA is considered a leader who embraces the role they have been assigned and encourages colleagues to be their best through effective communication, collaboration and shared values. We are self-starters and are flexible to the ever-changing circumstances. We operate from a place of integrity, trust, and personal responsibility with the goal of representing LFOLA in a positive way. We have mutual respect for one another and use discretion in all business dealings and communication.
Policy of Non-Discrimination
LFOLA is committed to equal opportunity employment. We are proud to maintain personnel policies based upon the individual’s qualifications, merits and achievements. All employment decisions are made without discriminating with regard to race, color, religion, political affiliation, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status or physical or mental disabilities or any other factors protected by law.
It is the policy of LFOLA to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act and all other applicable state and federal labor laws. LFOLA will not discriminate against any qualified employee because of that person’s physical or mental disability. LFOLA will also make reasonable accommodations wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not impose an undue hardship on LFOLA.