INFORMATION SERVICES SPECIALIST I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is seeking a qualified individual for Information Services Specialist II, Option C position(s) to provide assistance with information management and data analysis tasks of the Information Management and Assessment Coordination (IMAC) Unit, in the Surface Water Section, Bureau of Water, Division of Water Pollution Control, located in Springfield, IL. The ideal candidate will possess strong data analysis, database management, and problem-solving skills to conduct data management and assessment coordination activities to support all Surface Water Section monitoring programs.

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

• Provides technical and administrative support for information-management activities related to monitoring and
  assessment of the resource condition of Illinois surface waters, for the Information-Management and Assessment-
  Coordination (IMAC) Unit, in the Bureau of Water, Division of Water Pollution Control, Surface Water Section:
• Provides surface-water monitoring and assessment information, associated geospatial information, and related
  explanatory information to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) staff and non-Illinois-EPA users in a
  format that facilitates statistical analysis, interpretation, and practical application:
• Assists and provides instruction on data related activities to support IEPA staff and other non- Illinois-EPA users:
• Assists in coordinating, reviewing, and problem solving in the transition from older to newer information
  management and data collection systems, including transition to the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System and
  to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Assessment Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Tracking and
  Implementation:
• Assists with coordinating information management and quality assurance/quality control among staff of the
  Surface Water Section:
• Attends and participates in meetings and keeps current on relevant policies and procedures:
• Performs other duties, as required or assigned, that are reasonably within the scope of duties described above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of two years of college, with course work
  in computer science or related fields Or satisfactory completion of an agency sponsored training program.

Specialized Skills (Used for certain BU Employees only)

• Requires one year of experience conducting statistical analysis of natural resources
  related data sets; utilizing open-source statistical-analysis software (e.g., R, Python), including performing statistical analyses,
  and creating data visualizations.
• Requires one year of experience producing detailed scientific reports of water-resource monitoring for diverse audiences;
  managing databases using database structure, logic, and business rules;
• Requires one year of experience utilizing software and new technologies for data
  collection, automating data analysis and other processes using programs including ArcGIS and other ESRI software (e.g.,
  Survey 123, Field Maps, Story Maps) R, R Markdown, and Microsoft Power Automate.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience performing statistical analysis of natural resource and water quality
  related data.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in the use of R, Python, or other open-source programs to interpret
  large data sets and produce data visualizations.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience preparing detailed and comprehensive scientific reports of waterresource
  monitoring.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience developing web forms for data entry.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience interpreting and applying the U.S. federal Clean Water Act and
  related state regulations that pertain to monitoring, protecting, reporting on, and assessing the resource condition of surface
  waters.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience speaking to various groups to convey policy, procedures and
  statistical data information in manner easily understood by diverse audiences.
• Possession of a master's degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, computer science, statistics, mathematics,
  or closely related field with graduate level courses in statistics.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in applying processes and procedures to ensure that data and
  related information are of sufficient quantity and quality to meet program needs.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in applying database structure, logic, and business rules.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience acting as a liaison with other state, federal, and local entities
  involved with water-resource monitoring.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers’ license
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including
  scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conference, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies or other industry
  related topics to the job duties.
• Requires 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.