Reporting to staff from the Conservation and Experiential Programming Department, provides hands-on environmental education and outdoor recreation activities to District patrons at a variety of special events, activities and programs at numerous locations around the District including Nature Centers, Program Facilities, Outdoor Classrooms and Campgrounds. 

 Conservation & Experiential Program Aides perform a wide range of duties related to nature-based, programming and customer service interaction at outdoor and nature-based seasonal programs, youth and family events; arts, paddling and outdoor recreation activities; and Nature Center and partner events.  Conservation & Experiential Program Aides may be assigned to a variety of programmatic locations or teams including the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s nature centers, outreach and community engagement team, and zone teams supporting the programs and operational needs of these various teams. Conservation & Experiential Program Aides support other staff with the day to day operations of the assigned location and/or team including, but not limited to, programmatic work, curriculum development and delivery, community outreach and engagement, administrative work, maintenance, animal care and custodial work. Provides programming with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and other schools after passing institution’s background processes.  CEP Aides are Illinois Department of Child and Family Services Mandated Reporters for Child Abuse and Neglect. This is a year-round, part-time position up to 29 hours per week.