ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER IV - Working Supervisor/Technical Expert

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Public Water Supplies (PWS), Unit A is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Engineer IV (Working Supervisor/Technical Expert). This position serves as Working Supervisor/Technical Expert to the technical and professional staff of the Public Water Supplies Permit Program, Division of Public Water Supplies, Bureau of Water performing technical reviews of routine and complex water treatment processes/technologies for time sensitive engineering projects within all phases of the State’s Public Water Supplies Permit Program applications process. The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, detailed and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast paced environment. The position requires confidentiality and professionalism, often under sensitive and controversial circumstances. The ideal candidate will also need to be able to communicate effectively verbally, electronically, and in writing with both internal and external stakeholders.

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. Serves as Working Supervisor/Technical Expert to the professional staff of the Permit Section, Division of Public Water Supplies, Bureau of Water. Supervises the performance of technical reviews of routine and complex water treatment processes/technologies for time sensitive engineering projects within all phases of the State's Public Water Supplies Permit Program applications including; statutory/regulatory interpretations and Agency policy/ procedures for construction and/or modification of highly technical water treatment processes/appurtenances, water main extensions, water treatment plant construction/improvement projects and their permit approval/denial.

• 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

Essential Functions (continued)

30%  2. Independently conducts highly complex detailed technical reviews of plans and specifications, water treatment processes/technologies for time sensitive engineering projects within all phases of the State's Public Water Supplies Permit Program for their conformance with rules and regulations, these include;

• Water main extensions
• Complex community water supply treatment plants and/or improvements project(s)
• Corrosion Control Studies
• Interprets statutory/regulatory requirements, permit requirements, Agency policies and procedures for construction and/or modification to permit applicants and their representative(s)
• Reviews correspondence and recommends appropriate documentation and response to permit applications, permit review letters and/or permit denials.
• Assists program engineering staff in their review of permit applications
• Approves and denies permit applications
• Provides technical guidance and direction in the documents prepared by other engineering staff in their review of permit applications, response to permit review letters or permit denials.
• Prepares, screens and reviews briefing memos, status reports, etc. for submission to Director's Office, Bureau Management or other governmental officials both internal and external to the Agency.

Essential Functions (continued)

20%  3. Supports inter-agency programs directly related to the safe treatment of water provided by community water supplies in Illinois including;

• Issuing Special Exception Permits in support of Compliance Assurance, Field Operations, and Groundwater Sections of the Division of Public Water Supplies
• Project support for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program administered by the Infrastructure/Financial Assistance Section.
• Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment reviews for water systems that must maintain control lead and copper concentrations in their water delivery systems and coordination with other State departments regarding community water supply construction permits.
• Coordinates with other State departments and agencies to ensure Agency policy/procedures for construction and/ or modification of highly technical water treatment processes/appurtenances, water main extensions, water treatment plant construction/improvement projects do not create conflicts with statutory/regulatory requirements of respective departments and agencies.

Essential Functions (continued)

10% 4.  Conducts meetings/conferences, field/site visits and inspections of Public Water Supply facilities;

• Conducts meetings with local officials, applicants and/or applicant's representatives, conferences, workshops and training programs to explain program policies, rules and regulations.
• Conducts field/site visits and inspections of newly constructed public water supply facilities.
• Travels in performance of duties.

05%  5.  Provides technical assistance in the planning, development and implementation of program policy, rules and regulations.

• Testifies at Illinois Pollution Control Board regulatory hearings and court proceedings in support of Agency position.

05%  6.  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.
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.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers at least (4) four years of experience in evaluating, preparing, reviewing and/or inspecting permit applications for public water supplies and determining their regulatory compliance.
2. Prefers at least (4) years of experience analyzing and interpreting complex and extensive scientific data related to facilities, installations, equipment and environmental control systems and processes.
3. Prefers at least (4) years of experience establishing and maintaining liaison with municipal officials, facility owners and operators, plant managers or their representatives, and agency professional staff.
4. Prefers at least (4) years of experience interpreting pertinent laws, rules, regulations, concerning pollution control or abatement and to explain to individuals the techniques and procedures utilized in enforcing the laws, rules and regulations.
5. Prefers at least (2) years of experience conveying technical information in a clear manner to the public or stakeholders.
6. Prefers at least (2) years of supervisory experience in a private or public organization.
7. Prefers the ability to lead the activities of a technical staff.
8. Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access software.

Conditions of Employment

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