Position Marketing Statement

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is accepting applications to fill the position of Storage Tank Safety Specialist. This position provides the selected candidate with the opportunity to travel throughout the central/southern region of Illinois to perform professional inspections, surveillances, and mitigations of all aspects of storage for petroleum related products and hazardous materials. The candidate should possess a positive and professional communication style and the ability to professionally interact with the general public. As a Storage Tank Safety Specialist and employee of the State of Illinois, the selected candidate will have access to state healthcare, benefits, and a pension plan. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join the OSFM team.

Job Responsibilities

1. Travels to conduct detailed on-site inspections of petroleum and chemical storage tanks.
2. Responds to emergency incidents and complaints involving loss of product from underground storage tanks, which could potentially lead to loss of life, property, and environmental hazards.
3. Assists in coordination of activities and inspections relating to inspections and incidents and submits such reports in accordance with procedures established by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
4. Assists in resolving problems involving operator training and notice of violations (NOV) by direct contact with tank owners/operators and assures compliance with all regulatory requirements at facility.
5. Attends hearings and works with program legal counsel to aid in preparation of enforcement actions for violation of storage tank laws and rules.
6. Attends and participates in staff meetings, conference seminars, and ongoing training in order to update and increase professional knowledge and abilities.
7. Serves as resource person to inspector and other staff and local officials by giving advice, consultation, or instruction.
8. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in engineering, physical, or life sciences. Technical experience in petroleum handling and safety, pollution abatement, or a related field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
2. Requires two (2) years of experience in emergency and safety procedures for the mitigation of and stabilization of hazardous situations or incidents involving fire, explosion, or environmental releases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers more than two (2) years of experience in emergency and safety procedures for the mitigation of and stabilization of hazardous situations or incidents involving fire, explosion, or environmental release.
• Prefers completion of the 40-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) and 8-hour refresher course.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience performing on-site inspections and re-inspections of petroleum, hazardous chemical, and other regulated substance storage facilities including experience serving as a first responder in the mitigation and stabilization of hazardous chemical and petroleum emergencies or incidents involving fire, explosion, or environmental release in a public or business organization.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of prior experience supervising construction projects or performing site plan reviews.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of prior experience creating various types of written communication and inspection reports.
• Prefers two (2) or more years in the utilization of various software programs; such as, MS Word, Excel, and Outlook and Teams.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to pass a background check.
3. Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
4. Requires the ability to pass drug screening.
5. Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
6. Requires physical conditioning sufficient to adequately respond to hazardous materials incidents.
7. This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
8. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.