About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Overview

Confidential Client is seeking an entry-level Research Associate I (Partner Coordinator) to support nationwide pollinator habitat conservation agreements focused on energy and transportation landscapes. This full-time role works with program partners to administer agreements (including Monarch CCAA and Bumble Bee CBA), perform technical reviews, support research and data analysis, and coordinate partner outreach and events.

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Employment type: Full-time
• Salary: $49,000 – $55,000 per year
• Requisition / Posting details: Confidential Client posting (refer to platform for application deadline)

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What You’ll Do

• Perform technical reviews of program applications, implementation plans, and partner documentation.
• Contribute to the design, execution, and interpretation of research projects related to pollinator habitat and landscape stewardship.
• Collect, manage, and analyze complex datasets to support program evaluation and reporting.
• Assist with planning and organizing meetings, webinars, agendas, presentations, and notes.
• Coordinate partner outreach, manage task forces and communications, and maintain document control and tracking systems.
• Conduct independent literature reviews and background research to inform program guidance and technical decisions.
• Support administrative tasks and participate in special projects as assigned.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a social science, biology, environmental science, ecology, sustainability, or related field.
• Knowledge of research methods, concepts, and best practices.
• Experience or coursework in biology, environmental compliance, wildlife ecology, energy or transportation infrastructure, or sustainability.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to learn and use technical tools; experience with ArcGIS Pro/Online, R, Adobe Illustrator, or Canva is preferred but not required.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting sustainable landscapes, rights-of-way habitat programs, or multi-stakeholder conservation initiatives.
• Familiarity with Monarch CCAA, Bumble Bee CBA, or similar conservation agreement administration.
• Experience coordinating partner coalitions, working groups, or task forces.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary range: $49,000 to $55,000 (listed)
• Benefits-eligible position. Typical benefits may include health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition assistance (subject to employer policies).

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Why Join

This is a strong early-career opportunity for a candidate passionate about pollinator conservation, sustainability, and applied research. You will support a national-scale program, collaborate with more than 400 organizations across the transportation and utility sectors, and gain experience in both technical review and partner coordination.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.