ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST IV-1382400
Springfield, IL, US, 62702-4059
Agency : Environmental Protection Agency
Closing Date/Time: 01/31/2023
Salary: $6,175.00 - $9,314.00 Monthly CBA Language Applies
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: RC062
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
Posting Identification Number 21913
It is a requirement of this position that you possess a Bachelor's Degree with coursework in physical, life, or environmental sciences.
Upload a copy of your official college transcripts and your degree certificate (if applicable) in the additional documents portion of the job requisition for verification of your degree.
Job Overview
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Air (BOA), Air Pollution Control Division, Permit Section, Modeling Unit is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist (EPS) IV. This position will serve as a working supervisor of professional staff engaged in air pollution modeling in an office setting and serve as a staff member of consulting agency personnel on complex or difficult problems or studies which have program or policy impact. In this position, you would be the technical expert on air pollution related issues within the unit. The successful candidate will have experience independently working on studies which have a number of unknowns and require advanced knowledge and/or experience to complete. As an EPS IV, you will be reviewing technical and scientific information regarding air pollution modeling and providing technical assistance to professional staff.
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
25% 1. Serves as designated working supervisor to Modeling Unit staff in the Permit Section, Division of Air Pollution Control (APC), Bureau of Air (BOA);
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- 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. As modeling technical expert, plans and implements the execution of highly complex technical air quality assessments utilizing air pollution modeling techniques;
- Prepares and oversees preparation of specialized and highly complex technical analyses of meteorological and environmental air quality data to characterize the quality of the air for utilization by BOA management in establishing goals and objectives.
- Provides consultation and technical support to BOA staff in the areas of photochemical, Gaussian, and meteorological modeling methodologies and requirements.
- Conducts or oversees Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air quality reviews (reviews modeling protocols, evaluates model inputs and outputs, performs modeling audits).
- Possesses sufficient familiarity and proficiency with the California Puff model (CALPUFF), California Meteorological model (CALMET) and California Post-processing program (CALPOST) modeling software to review and audit a PSD air quality analysis addressing visibility, Air Quality Related Values (AQRVs), and PSD increments in a Class I area.
- Conducts or oversees the meteorological data processing for all first order National Weather Service (NWS) stations in Illinois and selected NWS stations in Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
- Processes monitoring data for numerous ambient air quality monitors to generate American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD)-ready, hourly by season background values for use in SO2 and NO2 dispersion modeling.
(Job Responsibilities continued)
25% 3. Provides expert consultation and technical support to BOA staff and outside entities, including regulated sources, consultants, and the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO). Provides support for:
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- Emission inventory
- Meteorological data
- Monitoring data requests
10% 4. Researches, recommends, and maintains the BOA’s modeling computer system;
- Updates modeling software on appropriate computers within the BOA as necessary, staying abreast of changes
- Utilizes innovative and emerging air quality and meteorological techniques
- Reviews complex scientific literature and Federal guidance
- Oversees the operation, maintenance, and administration of the Modeling Unit's "Linux Cluster" server-class computers.
(Job Responsibilities continued)
10% 5. Serves as expert witness;
- Develops, prepares, and provides testimony at public hearings describing air quality assessment methodology
- Provides supporting information and results of the BOA’s State Implementation Plan surrounding development efforts and permitting.
- Travels in performance of duties
05% 6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years college with coursework in physical, life, or environmental sciences.
- Requires two years supervisory experience in the field of pollution abatement or related field.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Prefers two (2) years of experience in atmospheric, air quality, and photochemical modeling.
2. Prefers two (2) years of experience in the utilization of Linux operating system or similar type system.
3. Prefers two (2) years of experience in weather forecasting/modeling.
4. Prefers thorough knowledge of environmental control systems, facilities, and related techniques, procedures and processes.
5. Prefers extensive knowledge of state laws, rules, regulations and standards pertaining to environmental control or pollution abatement.
6. Prefers three (3) years of experience preparing detailed and comprehensive reports of complex and sensitive investigations.
7. Prefers three (3) years of experience analyzing and interpreting complex and extensive scientific data relating to facilities, installations, equipment and environmental control systems and processes.
8. Prefers three (3) years of experience establishing and maintaining liaison with municipal officials, facility owners and operators, plant managers, or their representatives, and agency professional staff.
(Preferred Qualifications continued)
9. Prefers three (3) years of experience interpreting pertinent laws, rules, regulations, concerning pollution control or abatement and to explain to individuals the techniques and procedure utilized in enforcing the laws, rules and regulations.
10. Prefers ability to supervise a sub-unit of a technical activity within the assigned program.
11. Prefers three (3) years of experience utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access software.
12. Prefers coursework (18-20) semester hours in meteorology or related field.
13. Prefers a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Specialized Skills
Of the two years’ experience required: requires two years’ experience in atmospheric, air quality, and photochemical modeling; experience with Linux computer systems; and experience in weather forecasting/modeling.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
- Requires the ability to travel.
- Requires ability to pass a name-based background check.
Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday
Work Location: 1021 E North Grand Ave Springfield, IL 62702-4059
Agency Contact:
Chris Steinkruger
Email: Christopher.E.Steinkruger@Illinois.gov
Phone #:217-558-1256
Job Family: Sciences and Natural Resources
This position DOES contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
Agency Statement:
The mission of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is to safeguard environmental quality, consistent with the social and economic needs of the State of Illinois, so as to protect health, welfare, property and the quality of life. IEPA works to safeguard the states natural resources from pollution to provide a healthy environment for its citizens. By partnering with businesses, local governments and citizens, IEPA is dedicated to continued protection of the air we breathe and our water and land resources.
The IEPA does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent IEPA employment, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
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”), and seek a revolving door determination from the OEIG, or may be subject to a fine.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
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