ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Water Pollution Control, Surface Water Section, Algal Bloom Coordination Unit is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist I.  The Algal Bloom Coordination Unit, coordinates monitoring, response, and communication to reported and observed algal blooms with Agency staff and outside entities to inform and assess potential environmental impacts. This position assists and participates in routine duties related to the Surface Water Section.  The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience including application of the scientific method, statistical analysis of data and interpretation, techniques for scientific writing and presenting, and field water quality data collection techniques.  Additionally, the ideal candidate will have knowledge of limnological principles; physical, chemical, and biological survey methodologies; remote sensing and modeling.

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

• Performs beginning level technical and scientific duties related to conducting monitoring and assessment activities as required by the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) to support the Algal Bloom Coordination (ABC) Unit and Surface Water Section, in the Division of Water Pollution Control/Bureau of Water.
• Conducts algal bloom response activities to support the Bureau of Water.
• Participates and conducts data management, interpretation and statistical manipulation activities using various computer-related systems and applications.
• Presents a positive public image on behalf of the Agency, providing effective oral communication and presentation of technical data to a wide range of audiences (e.g., State Lake Association Conference, public speaking requests).
• Performs other duties as required of assigned, which are reasonable with the scope of duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years college with coursework in physical, life, or environmental science.   
• Requires one year of professional experience in pollution abatement or a related field or completion of an agency approved training program.
• OR requires a master's degree with coursework in the physical, life or environmental sciences.

Specialized Skills

Of the one (1) year of required experience:

• Requires at least one (1) year of professional experience in Algal Bloom program design and implementation; responding, sampling, and reporting algal blooms; surface water monitoring program design and field sampling techniques.
• Requires at least one (1) year of professional experience in investigating, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, physical, and biological data to assess the resource quality of surface waters and providing interpretations and reporting.
• Requires at least one year of professional experience in the practical application of the Federal Clean Water Act and its amendments. 

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers one (1) year of professional experience in Algal Bloom program design and implementation; responding, sampling, and reporting algal blooms; surface water monitoring program design and field sampling techniques.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in investigating, analyzing, and interpreting chemical, physical, and biological data to assess the resource quality of surface waters and providing interpretations and reporting.
• Prefers at least (1) one year of professional experience in the practical application of the Federal Clean Water Act and its amendments. 
• Prefers Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (aquatic), with specific coursework (15-17 semester hours) in limnology, stream, or aquatic ecology, or closely related environmental science.
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience interpreting limnological and stream ecology principals, including relationships among algae blooms, nutrients, and various water chemistry parameters.
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience in identifying algae to genus level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least one (1) year experience conducting field work and operating under a variety of environmental conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.)
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience in utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Power Point, Access, Excel, GIS, and statistical analysis packages.
• Prefers at least one (1) years’ experience acting as a liaison with other local, state, and federal entities involved with water-resource monitoring. 
• Prefers knowledge and experience in utilizing the following computer programs: Survey 123, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Water Quality Exchange (WQX) Network, Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System, and Assessment and Total Maximum Daily Loads Tracking and Implementation System (ATTAINS).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel.
• Requires the ability to swim, to lift, carry, and transport loads weighing up to 60 lbs.
• Requires the ability to work under adverse environmental conditions. 
• Requires the ability to operate small watercraft (e.g., canoes, boats with outboard motors weighing up to 60 pounds, with ability to lift outboard motors) while collecting environmental samples.
• 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.
• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
• *The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.