ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER I (UMP)

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Division of Public Water Supplies (PWS), Field Operation Section, Marion Regional Office is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Engineer I.   This position performs a variety of closely supervised functions that are designed to provide a basic introduction to, and training in the explicit engineering programs for the Field Operation Section Marion Regional Office. The ideal candidate will assist a higher-level engineer in the investigation of the design, location, construction, maintenance, or inspection of subsystems of public and private facilities relating to Field Operations Section.

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

30%  1. Assists higher level staff to gain knowledge and training in conducting routine engineering evaluations of public water supplies for the Southern Region, Marion Regional Office, Field Operations Section (FOS), Division of Public Water Supplies, Bureau of Water (BOW);

• Assists in conducting routine engineering evaluations of public water supplies, follow-up visits to determine compliance status, and final loan inspections for projects funded through the BOW’s Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section (IFAS).
• Prepares for supervisor’s close review, routine engineering evaluation reports/documents detailing areas of the evaluated facilities that are non-compliant with State/Federal laws, rules/regulations, policies/procedures, and specific actions required to bring facilities into compliance.
• Conducts activities that utilize safety equipment and performs physical activity to meet safety standards to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120.
• Travels in performance of duties.

20%  2. Assists in investigating/evaluating/monitoring routine citizen complaints/inquiries regarding public water supplies;

• Supporting Permit Section staff by obtaining routine information related to the public water supply through field inspections and the development of related facility inventory data.

20%  3. Assists in responding to public water supply emergencies;

• Providing routine assistance/guidance in restoring impacted community water supplies to normal operation.
• Communicating with public water supply officials in resolving managerial/technical/financial problems.

10%  4. Gains knowledge and receives training in providing routine assistance/guidance to officials/consultants in resolving routine operational issues and improving water quality;

• Reviewing previous correspondence/inspection reports to obtain necessary information.
• Assisting Compliance Assurance Section (CAS) in operator certification process.
• Reviewing operational/contractual agreements between certified operators and public water supplies.

Essential Functions - Continued

10%  5. Gains knowledge and receives training in collaborating with Region FOS Manager and/or Working Supervisor, CAS, and Agency Division of Legal Counsel (DLC) in evaluation of enforcement priorities;

• Reviewing enforcement documents.
• Preparing/providing enforcement recommendations.

05%  6. Attends and observes meetings with local officials and site representatives;

• Gains knowledge and receives training in interpreting laws, rules/regulations, policies/procedures.
• Attends and observes seminars and conferences.

05%  7. 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 completion of four years of college with a bachelor's degree in an engineering science. Typically, the subject matter would involve the type of coursework associated with environmental (sanitary, hydraulic, hydrology, and air pollution specialties), civil (sanitary, hydraulic, and hydrology specialties), general, industrial, mechanical, chemical, public health, electronic, acoustical, or aeronautical engineering or engineering mechanics or a closely related engineering specialty.

Requires no previous experience.

This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access software.
2. Prefers ability to prepare clear and concise written reports and correspondence, good organizational skills, and decision-making abilities.
3. Prefers ability to establish and maintain oral communication and working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives.
4. Prefers a knowledge of public water treatment facilities, and related techniques, procedures, and processes.
5. Prefers experience applying or complying with the rules governing the sanitary survey process of public water supplies consistent with Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 16) and State regulations.

Conditions of Employment

1. As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, this position will be required to take (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge (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: 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training.
2. Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
3. Requires the ability to travel.
4. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
5. 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.
6. Requires the ability to use an Agency issued cell phone.
7. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.