ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER IV-1379400

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC), Permit Section, Industrial Unit, Industrial Subunit is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Engineer IV. The ideal candidate will have experience in supervising an office or field engineering staff in conducting technical studies and investigation of environmental control problems that require the application of a small to moderate sized subordinate staff or involve facilities and systems that are not diversified in scope or of a highly complex nature. The ideal candidate will have experience with the investigation, inspection and monitoring of facilities and devices relating to the control of water pollution and the delivery of water for public consumption. In this position, you will serve as the working supervisor and will conduct highly technical and responsible studies and investigations which do not involve supervision of subordinates.

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.

Job Responsibilities

35%  1. Serves as working supervisor to technical/professional engineering staff responsible for conducting a variety of engineering functions as necessary to support non-municipal wastewater permitting programs for the Industrial Unit, Industrial Sub-Unit, Permit Section, Division of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Water (BOW);

• • Assigns and reviews work
  • Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
  • Counsels staff regarding work performance
  • Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
  • Establishes annual goals and objectives
  • Approves time off
  • Prepares and signs performance evaluations

(Job Responsibilities continued)

25%  2. Conducts independent reviews of construction and operating permit applications for highly complex industrial treatment and pretreatment facilities, wastewater sources, land application of sludge, spray irrigation of industrial wastewaters, and coal combustion residual (CCR) surface impoundments;

• Reviews permit applications for the NPDES program for a variety of industrial facility such as industrial facilities, and related stormwater discharges, Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) Pretreatment Program, and the State construction and operating permit program for operations such as industrial treatment or pretreatment, land application of sludge, spray irrigation, and CCR surface impoundments.
• Prepares permits for signature.
• Analyzes permit applications, engineering plans, specifications, file material, regulated manufacturing and related processes
• Reviews applicable State and Federal regulations and ensures that professional staff is following applicable Unit and Section policies and procedures for the issuance of permits with appropriate conditions and appropriate permit conditions
• Utilizes available computer programs to prepare complex permits, review notes, and track work progress
• Prepares complex written review notes in compilation of Agency decision record

(Job Responsibilities continued)

20%  3. Represents the BOW in rulemaking and regulatory relief proceedings before the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB);

• • Participates in the development of new technical design criteria
  • Attends and participates in meetings, seminars, workshops, public hearings, and/or discussions with applicants, consulting engineers, Agency staff, USEPA staff, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, other State and Federal Agencies and the general public
  • Participates in public hearings, completion of responsiveness summaries, permit appeals, and enforcement actions
  • Travels in performance of duties

10%  4. Provides assistance/guidance to Agency Staff/officials/consultants regarding highly complex, sensitive, and controversial issues;

• • Serves as a liaison to Section and Bureau staff concerning non-municipal permitting matters
  • Explains and interprets applicable State and Federal regulations and Unit and Section policies

(Job Responsibilities continued)

05%  5. Prepares/reviews documents for submission to Bureau management and other governmental officials;

• • Serves as a liaison to Section and Bureau staff concerning non-municipal permitting matters
  • Assists management in the preparation of presentations, reports, statistical summaries and conducting special investigations

05%  6. Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonable 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.
2. Requires possession of Illinois certificate as a registered professional engineer.
3. Requires four years of professional engineering experience related to working with complex engineering problems.
4. A master's degree in engineering or business administration may be substituted for two years of professional experience.

Specialized Skills

Of the four years’ required experience: requires a combined four years’ experience in wastewater permitting programs including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), construction, and operating permits for facilities such as industrial, mining, and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO); and applying relevant state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers ability to supervise the activities of a technical staff.
2. Prefers ability to explain and interpret agency policy and regulations.
3. Prefers four (4) years of experience consulting with and advising members of public and private agencies concerning the application of engineering standards and procedures to design, construction, operation and maintenance of facilities and systems for the control of environmental conditions.
4. Prefers ability to review and evaluate engineering reports for completeness and accuracy of engineering detail.
5. Prefers ability to develop and maintain effective public working relationships.
6. Prefers four (4) years of experience utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access software.
7. Prefers four (4) years of experience in wastewater permitting programs including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), construction, and operating permits for facilities such as industrial, mining, and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).
8. Prefers four (4) years of experience in applying relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to travel.
3. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.