ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER I (UMP)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

2d•$6,540 - $7,480•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Bureau of Land, Permit Section, RCRA Unit A, is hiring an entry-level Environmental Protection Engineer I. The role provides hands-on training and mentorship from higher-level engineers while the employee develops expertise in hazardous-waste permitting and remediation. The employee assists in reviewing facilities that manage, dispose of, or are affected by hazardous waste, supporting the Agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment. The position involves closely supervised engineering work related to hazardous-waste permits and corrective action under applicable regulations, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Illinois’ Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives. The employee documents technical reviews, helps assess proposed remediation objectives, and responds to routine inquiries with guidance from higher-level engineers. The role calls for organization, attention to detail, adaptability, professionalism, discretion, and effective verbal, written, and electronic communication. This is a full-time, salaried position with a Monday–Friday schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including a one-hour lunch. The stated work week is 37.5 hours. The position is based at the Agency’s Springfield headquarters, with reporting to headquarters as needed according to operational requirements; the posting describes potential hybrid work schedule availability. A valid driver’s license and travel are required. The employee must complete 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training within 90 days of employment and maintain the required annual refresher training and working knowledge.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering science or a closely related engineering specialty, with coursework typically associated with environmental, civil, general, industrial, mechanical, chemical, public health, electronic, acoustical, or aeronautical engineering, engineering mechanics, or the specified related specialties.
No previous experience is required.
Valid and current driver’s license.
Ability to travel.
Ability to pass a name-based background check.
Complete 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training within 90 days of employment and maintain working knowledge through the required 8-hour annual refresher and/or certification.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering curriculum with 10–15 credit hours in coursework related to soils, geology, hydrogeology, and environmental engineering, meeting standards established by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Professional Engineering Practice Act.
Ability to use a personal computer and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

Responsibilities

Perform closely supervised engineering functions related to review of hazardous-waste permits for sites that manage, dispose of, or are contaminated with hazardous waste, in accordance with applicable regulations including RCRA and Illinois Administrative Code Part 742 (TACO).
Document the results of reviews of technical, scientific, and engineering applications and reports used as a basis for hazardous-waste permit issuance or denial.
Work with higher-level engineers to review proposed remediation objectives for compliance with 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 742 (TACO).
With guidance from higher-level engineers, answer routine verbal and written inquiries from the regulated community and the public about permit decisions and State and Federal hazardous-waste laws and regulations.
Acquire technical knowledge and information related to hazardous-waste permitting and corrective action.
Observe higher-level staff and participate in interpretation and evaluation of hazardous-waste permit application processes.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.