Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Public Water Supplies Division, Drinking Water Compliance Section, Chemical Monitoring/Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) unit is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist I. This position performs beginning level professional duties related to the observation, participation in, or conduct of field inspections and investigations with other professional staff of pollution sources and environmental control systems in the Chemical Monitoring Unit. The ideal candidate will assist higher level staff in drawing conclusions that ultimately lead to preliminary recommendations for approval or denial of permits, variances or standards. The position will also assist higher level staff in the interpretation of environmental laws and regulations, bureau/division programs, permit actions, cleanup actions, and environmental/health impacts to prepare documents and reports.

The benefits of working at the EPA include a 37 ½ hour work week, a generous salary and benefits package (paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave, holidays) pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and insurance eligibility on day one (medical, dental, vision, and life). We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

40% 1. Observes, assists and participates in analyzing the results of water supply test reports for the Chemical Monitoring/Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Drinking Water Compliance Section, Division of Public Water Supplies (DPWS), Bureau of Water;

• Utilizes standard scientific principles and procedures, permit conditions, and State and Federal regulations and polices to determine compliance with applicable State and Federal requirements
• Conducts routine technical and scientific investigations and other activities relative to community water systems and their compliance with State and Federal regulations
• Develops and prepares routine technical and scientific reports on data obtained from investigations
• Prepares routine reports, summaries, and analyses of information compiled in the BOW’s databases, including Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).

35% 2. Observes, assists and participates in advising and conferring with water suppliers and their consultants regarding operational concerns, laboratory results, and water testing to be utilized in complying with State and Federal rules and regulations for drinking water compliance;

• Reviews and evaluates routine technical documents for completeness and accuracy
• Interprets and applies routine technical criteria, policies and regulations relating to compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Issues violation notices to those that fail to meet standards
• Makes recommendations for compliance/enforcement cases
• Prepares routine documentation for legal cases

Essential Functions - Continued

15% 3. Assists higher level staff in explaining and interpreting DPWS programs and policies, and State and Federal laws, rules and regulations;

• Answers routine technical questions from facility owners/operators
• Trains providers, environmental groups, governmental officials and the general public concerning community water supply statutory and regulatory concerns.

05% 4. Observes, attends and participates in staff meetings, conferences, workshops and other activities;

• Gains and maintains knowledge in the application of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and related DPWS rules, regulations, and standards.
• Travels in performance of duties.

05% 5. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires the knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college with coursework in the physical, life or environmental sciences and requires either:

a) one year of professional experience in pollution abatement or a related field, or

b) completion of an agency approved training program.

OR

2. Requires a master’s degree with coursework in the physical, life, or environmental sciences.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers working knowledge of modern inspectional and investigative techniques and procedures.
2. Prefers working knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations as pertaining to environmental protection or pollution abatement.
3. Prefers one (1) year experience preparing comprehensive, technical and scientific reports of field investigations and/or inspections.
4. Prefers one (1) year experience analyzing and interpreting the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations and equipment.
5. Prefers one (1) year experience establishing and maintaining working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives.
6. Prefers one (1) year experience interpreting pertinent state laws, rules, regulations, policies or procedures of the agency to individuals and municipal bodies.
7. Prefers one (1) year experience utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access software.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid driver’s license

2. Requires the ability to travel.

3. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.