ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST IV-1382400

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);

• • 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.

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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:

• • 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.

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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

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years college with coursework in physical, life, or environmental sciences.
2. 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

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