LIFE SCIENCES CAREER TRAINEE (UMP)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Field Operations Section, Northern Region/Des Plaines is seeking to hire Life Science Career Trainee (Option E). The ideal candidate will participate in the agency sponsored training program for a six to twelve months duration. This trainee position receives working assignments designed to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills consonant with various professional life sciences career disciplines within the Field Operations Section, Northern Region/Des Plaines. As a LSCT, you will receive controlled assignments in a broad range of departmental activities with increasing difficulty and responsibility. 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

•  Receives training for a period of six to twelve months duration to gain knowledge in and assist in conducting routine field inspections/investigations of hazardous and solid waste management and disposal facilities and remediation sites       for the Field Operations Section (FOS), Bureau of Land (BOL), Northern Region/Des Plaines.           
• Receives training to assist in providing for Region Manager’s close review.
• Receives training to provide information (verbally or in writing) on relevant environmental matters to facility owners/operators, the public, governmental agencies, and others outside the Agency.
• Receives training to assist with collecting water, soil, and waste samples to substantiate violations and/or determine the extent of contamination.
• Attends and participates in meetings and keeps current on relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to waste management in Illinois.       
• Perform other duties as assigned or required, which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.   

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in some field of the life sciences. 
• This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports;
• Prefers ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Prefers ability to profit from training received in designated area of state government.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and Agency representatives.
• Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer and knowledge of common Microsoft applications and software. 

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers’ license.
• Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. 
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conference, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics to the job duties.
• Requires the ability to use an Agency issued cell phone.
• Requires ability to participate in the medical monitoring program.
• Requires ability to pass a physical examination, which is intended to determine whether a person can wear respiratory protection and function in high heat stress situations while wearing chemical protective clothing.
• Requires ability to wear a respirator or other form of respiratory protection.

Conditions of Employment (continued)

• Requires ability to carry and utilize a self-contained breathing apparatus (weighing approximately 25 pounds).
• Requires ability to wear chemical resistant clothing in high heat stress situations while performing strenuous physical tasks (e.g., carrying equipment up a steep ravine at a temperature up to 100F).
• Requires ability to lift heavy equipment (e.g., 45 pounds).
• Requires ability of hiking, climbing, wading in streams, or getting in/out of boats or swimming in emergency situations to get to sites (as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120).
• This position will be required to complete (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge of (8-hour annual refresher) and/or certification to ensure position is up to date with laws, rules and regulations to maintain compliance with IL Department of Labor Occupational Safety Regulations: 40-hour OSHA training.
• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.

The condition of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.