ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Office of Site Evaluation (OSE) is seeking candidates for the title of Environmental Protection Specialist I.  The Office of Site Evaluation conducts environmental investigations throughout Illinois.  Project managers under this title evaluate historical information and design site investigations to assess impacts to human health and the environment.  Weekly job duties will involve occasional field work conducted through the year.  Exemplary applicants will have experience with research and investigation techniques, data interpretation, and report writing as it relates to the environmental field. The ideal candidate will thrive in a team working culture and will be resilient, adaptable, and innovative with effective verbal and electronic communication skills to share information with internal and external stakeholders.

The benefits of working at the IEPA 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

• Observes and assists with preparing initial draft and preliminary technical reports for Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA),Brownfield, and other regulated facilities in accordance with established guidance and procedures in the Office of Site Evaluation Unit (OSE), Deputy Bureau Chief’s Office, for the Bureau of Land.
• Observes and assists with preparing plans necessary to conduct technical and scientific field inspections/ investigations to evaluate environmental contaminants and their impact on human health and the environment. Accesses databases to prepare plans in accordance with established guidance and procedures Conducts background research on facility using electronic records and external sources necessary to develop site operational history and initial conceptual model.
• Assists higher level staff in conducting routine environmental technical and scientific field inspections/ investigations at sites where the presence of hazardous substances is either possible, suspected, or known; Performs site investigations in accordance with established plans, guidance, and procedures. Involved in or assists others in the collection of air, surface water, groundwater, soil, soil gas, or waste samples through traditional means.
• Attends and participates in training with senior staff regarding programmatic regulations/requirements necessary to provide investigation assistance to cleanup programs within the Bureau of Land.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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: 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.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Prefers the working knowledge of modern inspectional and investigative techniques and procedures.
• Prefers the working knowledge of modern environmental control systems, facilities, techniques and procedures.
• Prefers the working knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations as pertaining to environmental protection or pollution abatement.
•  Prefers the ability to prepare comprehensive, technical and scientific reports of field investigations and/or inspections.
• Prefers the ability to analyze and interpret the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations and equipment.
•  Prefers the ability to establish and maintain working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives.
•  Prefers the ability to interpret pertinent state laws, rules, regulations, policies or procedures of the agency to individuals and municipal bodies.
•  Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel software.
•  Prefers the ability to operate field equipment such as a camera, air and water quality testing and monitoring equipment, bucket auger, and bailer.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
•  Requires the ability to travel.
•  Requires the ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.
•  Requires the ability to participate in a medical monitoring program with ability to pass a physical examination, which is intended to determine whether a person can wear respiratory protection and function in high heat stress situations while wearing chemical protective clothing.
•  Must be capable of wearing an air purifying respirator for long period of time (e.g. 10 hours with only short 15-minute breaks).
•  Must be able to carry and utilize a self-contained breathing apparatus (weighing approximately 25 pounds) In addition to wearing respiratory protection mentioned above, must be able to wear chemical resistant clothing in high heat stress situations while performing strenuous physical tasks (e.g. carrying equipment up a steep ravine at a temperature of 100F).
•  Must be able to lift equipment (e.g. 50 pounds).
•  Hearing and eyesight must be good or correctable in order to respond to emergency field conditions.
•  As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, this position will be required to take (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge of (8 hr. annual refresher) and/or certification to ensure position is up to date with laws, rules and regulations to maintain compliance with IL Department of Labor Occupational Safety Regulations: 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training.
• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.

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