ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST I (SAFETY OFFICER)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking to hire a Safety Officer (Environmental Health Specialist I) to support Agency staff by coordinating training in hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER), recommending personal protective equipment, performing respirator fit testing, tracking medical monitoring, teaching CPR, and reviewing site safety plans in advance of staff performing work at contaminated sites. This position also fulfills occupational health and safety reporting obligations with federal and state partners. The ideal candidate will have experience in environmental health, occupational safety practices, technical report writing, maintaining confidentiality of records, and classroom instruction.

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

• As the Agency’s statewide Safety Officer performs elementary professional health duties within the Associates Director’s Office (ADO) for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
• Assists and participates in implementing the Agency Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) required Respiratory Protection Program and Medical Monitoring Program to assure compliance with Agency Safety Policiesand OSHA HAZWOPER regulations (29 CFR 1910.120).
• Observes and participates in the management, planning, development, production, and presentation of health, safety, and environmental training programs.
• Assists in preparing routine forms, reports and correspondence to.
• Observes and assists in human health and ecological risk assessments.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum of 30 semester hours in the physical and/or biological sciences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers elementary knowledge of biology, chemistry, microbiology, and toxicology as they relate to environmental health and safety.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of general environmental health sanitation principles and practices.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of field sampling and equipment testing techniques.
• Prefers the ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with coworkers and the general public.
• Prefers knowledge of common industrial occupational diseases, health hazards and toxic sources.
• Prefers knowledge of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) laws, standards and regulations and applicable state statutes, rules and regulations and consensus health standards Association Advancing Occupational and  Environmental Health (ACGIH) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
• Prefers knowledge of common and unique work hazards, occupational safety practices and ability to lead and conduct accident investigations and to evaluate site-specific safety plans.
• Prefers knowledge and skill in preparing written reports incorporating findings, risk assessments, and recommended corrective actions, as well as in establishing appropriate priorities for action using the risk assessment and documentation of the regulatory requirements.
• Prefers the ability to become proficient in leading development of, and conducting industrial/safety training programs, knowledge and skill in developing educational material and training techniques to promote awareness of health hazards and corresponding preventive procedures.
• Prefers experience in managing confidential employee injury reports and medical records.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel.
• Requires certification as a certified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid instructor (within 90 days of
  employment).
• As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, this position will be required to take (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge of (8 hr. 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.
• 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.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

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