STUDENT INTERN (LUST SPECIAL PROJECTS INTERN)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking to hire Student Interns to participate in a training program for a period not to exceed 4 years, on a full or part time basis while enrolled in a recognized college or university.  Performing a wide variety of support functions as instructed by Agency program staff to augment interns’ field of study with the goal of obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in a life science.

Upon graduation, an intern must meet the minimum qualifications for the Target Title of the internship. For this internship the target title is Life Science Career Trainee, and the minimum qualifications are:

Requires a bachelor's degree in some field of the life sciences.
This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

If the minimum qualifications for the target title are not met at the time of graduation, the internship will end without being offered placement into the targeted Trainee title.

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 a student intern, for a period not to exceed four (4) years, on a full- or part-time basis, while actively enrolled in college, or in conjunction with a recognized college or university work study program, receives controlled assignments in a specific Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Special Projects Program area to receive training and experience in a technical, professional, or administrative field commensurate with their academic level/degree:

• In a controlled environment, receives assignments in the section to become proficient in a given technical or administrative field with a view toward qualifying for a specific position in the Agency upon the completion of academic studies.

In a controlled environment, receives proven mentor-style training that includes both formal classroom and introductory on-the-job training with emphasis on gaining knowledge and experience in all phases within an IEPA program: 

• Participates in work assignments and special projects designed to enhance skills, knowledge and proficiency including research, report preparation, procedural and operational studies.

Participates in Personal Development classes, e.g. Ethics training, Diverse workplace, sexual harassment, and various personal communication programs designed to develop personal development and communication skills.

Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, both within and outside of the specific assigned area, which provide a broad overview of procedures, and related operations.

• Travel in performance of duties.

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 high school and active enrollment at a college.
• Requires no previous work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers active enrollment in a recognized college or university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree or higher in a life science.
• Prefers active enrollment with 12-16 hours coursework with an emphasis in life sciences, environmental rules and/or regulations from a recognized college or university.
• Prefers a bachelors degree in an life science from a recognized college or university.
• Prefers the ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain working relationships with agency staff and the general public.
• Prefers ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government.
• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
• Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers license.
• Requires the ability to travel.

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