SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, OPT 1 (MANAGER, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), Associate Director’s Office (ADO), is seeking an individual for the position of Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt. 1 to serve as the Manager for the Office of Community Relations (OCR). This position will be responsible for directing IEPA’s public participation programs statewide. The position is located at IEPA headquarters in Springfield and will supervise OCR staff at headquarters and in the IEPA Chicago office. The ideal candidate will be experienced in developing and leading outreach and engagement strategies for diverse audiences; speaking publicly, especially to challenging audiences; and communicating complex technical writing and ideas in plain language. 

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

• Serves as the Manager of the Office of Community Relations (OCR), in the Associate Director’s Office (ADO), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Directs OCR staff to fulfill the IEPA’s statutory and regulatory requirements for public participation.
• Directs IEPA staff in statewide community relations activities:
• Represents the Agency’s Director and other senior leadership with external stakeholders on sensitive environmental issues.
• 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 completion of four years of college. 
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience in developing and leading public outreach and engagement strategies for diverse audiences.
• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience in public speaking, especially to challenging, difficult or hostile audiences.
• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience communicating complex technical writing and ideas in basic language to varying audiences.
• Prefers at least (4) years of experience utilizing interpersonal and conflict resolution techniques in a public or private organization.
• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience in addressing public concerns surrounding environmental and public health issues in a public or private forum.
• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience in the utilization of digital communication tools to support a broader public engagement strategy.
• Prefers knowledge of risk communication strategies as demonstrated by coursework and/or professional training.
• Prefers ability to analyze administrative programs and adopt an effective course of action.
• Prefers ability to exercise judgment and discretion in developing, implementing, and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.
• Prefers ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• 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 appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary
  of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• 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) or may be subject to a fine.

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