Environmental Protection Engineer I (Ump)

State of Illinois • Rockford, IL

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), Bureau of Water, Field Operation Section, Rockford Regional Office, is hiring an Environmental Protection Engineer I. The position performs closely supervised functions designed to introduce and provide training in engineering programs for the Field Operation Section. The employee assists higher-level engineers and specialists in investigating the design, location, construction, maintenance, or inspection of subsystems of public and private facilities related to field operations.

The position supports field staff with inspections, complaint and emergency-response investigations, technical support for enforcement, review of technical documents, and stakeholder meetings. The role is based at the Rockford Regional Office. The anticipated hybrid schedule is four to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch. A 37.5-hour work week is noted. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends, and travel—including overnight stays as appropriate—is required.

Requirements

• Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four years of college with a bachelor's degree in an engineering science or a closely related engineering specialty.
• No previous experience is required.
• Requires a valid and current appropriate driver's license.
• Complete 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training within 90 days of employment and maintain working knowledge through an 8-hour annual refresher and/or applicable certification.
• Ability to travel in performance of duties, including overnight stays as appropriate.
• Ability to work overtime, including evenings and weekends, when requested or required.
• Ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, and industry-related topics.
• Ability to lift equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate field water testing and sampling equipment.
• Ability to pass a name-based background check.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or agricultural engineering.
• Knowledge of water pollution control technologies, facilities, and technical documents.
• Knowledge of inspection and investigative techniques, equipment, and procedures.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and permit requirements concerning water pollution control or abatement, and ability to explain the enforcement process.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive and timely reports of inspection findings.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex and extensive scientific data relating to facilities, installations, equipment, and water pollution control systems and processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain liaison and communicate inspection findings with local, State, and federal officials; facility owners, operators, plant managers, or their representatives; and the public.
• Ability to use a personal computer and software applications.

Responsibilities

• Assist higher-level field staff with inspections of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities; combined and separate sanitary sewer systems; municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), industrial, and construction storm water facilities; mine facilities; and livestock facilities.
• Assist higher-level field staff with investigating and evaluating citizen complaints and emergency response incidents related to water pollution, odors from wastewater treatment and livestock facilities, and fish kills.
• Assist higher-level field staff in providing technical support for the enforcement process.
• Assist higher-level field staff in reviewing technical documents associated with federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State water pollution control permits; facility plans and specifications; long-term control plans (LTCP); Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) plans; wastewater operator contracts; and loan projects.
• Participate with higher-level field staff in conducting meetings and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the duties.

Benefits

• Paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave, and holidays.
• Pension and other retirement benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Insurance eligibility on day one, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 37.5-hour work week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level