ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Infrastructure Assistance Section, State Revolving Fund Unit is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist 1.   This position performs beginning level professional duties related to working with communities to obtain loan and grant funding for wastewater, stormwater and drinking water infrastructure in the State Revolving Fund Unit.  The ideal candidate will assist higher level staff with activities related to growing and developing the loan and grant programs, improving the operations of the loan and grant programs, and new initiatives intended to expand the operations of the Infrastructure Financial Assistance 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

35%  1. Performs beginning level professional duties and participates in routine reviews of grant and loan funded projects for the construction and rehabilitation of public water supply, wastewater and stormwater facilities for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Unit, Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section, Bureau of Water;

• Coordinates and prepares written comments, correspondence and documentation related to planning documents.
• Prepares an environmental impact assessment and project summary documents for loan and grant applications for the proposed projects.

20%  2. Assists with routine projects and activities related to the development of loan and grant programs, the prioritization of applications and all state and federal reporting requirements.

20%  3. Assists applicants and/or their representatives in completing routine loan and grant applications and their documentation;

• Coordinates review of documents.
• Maintains written and electronic records relating to documentation.
• Prepares loan and grant offers for approval.

Essential Functions - Continued

10%  4. Participates in training activities to expand knowledge in the design, construction and operation of wastewater, stormwater and community water supply systems;

10%  5. Attends and participates in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, and other activities which will provide meaningful learning experiences;

• Travels in performance of duties.

05%  6. Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires the knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college with
coursework in the physical, life or environmental sciences and requires either:
a) one year of professional experience in pollution abatement or a related field, or
b) completion of an agency approved training program.
-OR-

Requires a master’s degree with coursework in the physical, life, or environmental sciences.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers experience interpreting pertinent state laws, rules, regulations, policies or procedures of the agency to individuals
and municipal bodies.
2. Prefers experience establishing and maintaining working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and
owners, plant managers, or their representatives and general public.
3. Prefers experience analyzing and interpreting the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations and equipment.
4. Prefers experience utilizing a personal computer and knowledge of software applications.
5. Prefers experience communicating on a daily basis by telephone and e-mail with loan applicants and their consulting
engineering representatives.
6. Prefers experience following oral and written instructions.
7. Prefers experience preparing comprehensive written and oral reports.
8. Prefers experience working with state laws, rules and regulations as pertaining to environmental protection or pollution
abatement.
9. Prefers experience working with modern environmental control systems, facilities, techniques and procedures.
10. Prefers basic math skill including knowledge of percentages, fractions and prorations.

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.