ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST IV

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date:  Mar 6, 2025
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62702

Job Requisition ID:  44693

​Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title: ENVIRON PROTECTION SPEC IV - 13824 
Skill Option: None 
Bilingual Option: None 
Closing Date/Time: 03/20/2025
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $7,491 monthly; Full Range $7,491 - $11,015 monthly.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: 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  44693 

Environmental Protection Specialist IV

 

***Please upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licenses you possess to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. ***

Note: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency must verify and have proof of higher education and coursework (if applicable) for any degree earned before any offer can be extended.

*Answer all questions thoroughly-DO NOT STATE SEE RESUME*

 

 

Why Work for Illinois?

 

 

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

 

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
 

 

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Division of Water Pollution Control (DWPC), Surface Water Section (SWS), Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist IV (EPS IV).  This position will serve as a working supervisor of professional staff engaged duties related to the Surface Water Section and serve as a technical expert on field sampling activities, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance training.  The successful candidate will have experience in planning and conducting water quality and biological monitoring activities and reporting results.  As an EPS IV, you will also be drafting and reviewing technical documents including standard operating procedures, quality assurance plans, guidance documents, and permit applications.  You will also be applying complex scientific principles to coordinate and conduct water resource assessments and listings as required by the Federal Clean Water Act.

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

  • Serves as the Working Supervisor/Technical Expert to the staff of the Northern, Central
    and Southern Monitoring Unit, Central Region, Surface Water Section, in the Division of
    Water Pollution Control/Bureau of Water, engaged in stream and lake monitoring to support
    the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network, Intensive Basin Survey, Facility Related
    Stream Survey, Ambient Lake, and Harmful Algal Bloom programs in Central Illinois;
  • Directs and participates with staff engaged in water quality and biological monitoring
    activities;
  • Coordinates and conducts highly complex water resource assessments and listings as required
    pursuant to Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act;
  • Serves as technical expert participating, coordinating, implementing and advising on
    specialized surface water related activities and environmental investigations;
  • Provides highly technical/scientific input and analysis on;
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of duties
    enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

  •  Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years college with coursework in

the physical, life, or environmental sciences, engineering, or geology.

  • Requires four years of professional experience in the field of environmental protection or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers at least four (4) years of experience with lakes and/or streams in monitoring program design and sampling

techniques.

  •  Prefers at least four (4) years of experience collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific monitoring

information when assessing the quality of lakes and streams required by the Federal Clean Water Act.

  • Prefers at least four (4) years of experience in providing interpretations and preparing reports of complex chemical,

physical, and biological investigations.

  •  Prefers at least four (4) years of experience utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel,

presentation software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and statistical analysis packages.

  •  Prefers at least four (4) years of experience supervising technical and/or professional staff in a private or public

organization.

  •  Prefers ability to establish and maintain liaison with municipal officials, facility owners and operators, plant managers or

their representatives, and agency professional staff.

  •  Prefers extensive knowledge of state laws, rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to environmental control or pollution

abatement.

  •  Prefers a master’s degree with graduate coursework or primary research in aquatic ecology, limnology, freshwater

science, or a closely related field.

Specialized Skills

  •  Requires four years of experience with lake, stream, and Lake Michigan monitoring program design and sampling

techniques.

  • Requires four years of experience collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific monitoring information when

assessing the quality of lakes, streams, and Lake Michigan required by the Federal Clean Water Act.

  •  Requires four years of experience in providing interpretations and preparing reports of complex chemical, physical, and

biological investigations.

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.

  •  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.

Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday

Work Location: 2520 West Iles Ave. Springfield, IL 62704

Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger
Email: Christopher.E.Steinkruger@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-558-1256

Posting Group: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; Environmental & Natural Resources

 

This position [DOES] contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

 

Revolving Door: “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.”

 

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.

 

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
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Springfield