ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST III

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as an Environmental Health Specialist. Performs highly technical and specialized work in the state-wide Plumbing and Water Quality Program.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Under direction of the Plumbing and Water Quality Program Manager, performs difficult and complex professional environmental health investigations and regulatory inspections pertaining to the preservation of public health and water quality, and water quality and plumbing technologies.
• As a practitioner in the general environmental health area, assesses environmental and public health impacts involving water quality issues, new technologies, and emerging concerns in potable and non-potable water.
• Participates with the Division of Infectious Diseases, local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other outside environmental health entities to address water related diseases and concerns and to determine compliance with program mandates.
• Assists in the development of new employee orientation and training.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university or college with at least 30 semester hours in the physical and/or biological sciences.
• Requires three (3) years professional experience in environmental health practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience applying knowledge of local, state and federal environmental health and public health laws and regulations.
• Two (2) years of experience applying knowledge of biology, chemistry, microbiology, and toxicology as they relate to environmental health and safety.
• Two (2) years of experience applying knowledge of epidemiology and the relationship between environmental conditions to the spread of disease.
• Two (2) years of experience applying knowledge of general environmental health sanitation principles and practices.
• Two (2) years of experience in environmental field sampling equipment and testing techniques.
• Two (2) years of work experience using Microsoft software products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to travel extensively within the state.
• Requires a current and valid Driver's license.

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

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.