Environmental Protection Specialist IV

State of Illinois•Champaign, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Bureau of Water, Field Operations Section, Champaign Regional Office is hiring an Environmental Protection Specialist IV (Working Supervisor). The position supervises professional staff working on pollution control or abatement programs in field or office settings, or provides consulting-agency staff expertise on complex matters and studies with program or policy impact. The employee serves as the unit’s technical expert on hydrology-related issues and works independently on studies involving unknowns that require advanced knowledge or experience. The role also reviews technical and scientific information about cases and provides technical assistance to inspectors, professional staff, and mine operators. The position is based at 2125 S 1st St, Champaign, Illinois. The stated work schedule is 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch. The posting indicates anticipated hybrid availability of four to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. The position has a 37½-hour work week. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends, and travel with overnight stays may be necessary. The anticipated starting salary is $8,060 per month, with a full range of $8,060 to $11,851 per month. The agency lists paid time off, holidays, pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and medical, dental, vision, and life insurance eligibility from day one.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with coursework in physical, life, or environmental sciences, engineering, or geology.
Two years of supervisory experience in pollution abatement or a related field.
Two years of experience conducting inspections of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities and interpreting and applying State and federal laws and regulations governing water pollution control.
Two years of experience reviewing technical documents associated with federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State water pollution control permitting, facility plans and specifications, long-term control plans (LTCP), Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) plans, wastewater operator contracts, and loan projects.
A valid and current appropriate driver’s license.
Complete 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training within 90 days of employment and maintain the required working knowledge through an 8-hour annual refresher and/or certification.
Ability to travel for work, including overnight stays as appropriate.
Ability to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, and to work evenings and weekends when required.
Ability to attend seminars, conferences, and training.
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.
At least three years of experience supervising professional staff in a public or private organization.
At least three years of experience reviewing technical documents associated with federal NPDES and State water pollution control permitting, facility plans and specifications, LTCPs, CMOM plans, wastewater operator contracts, and loan projects.
At least three years of experience conducting inspections and/or investigations of water pollution sources, including knowledge of the techniques, equipment, and procedures involved.
At least three years of engineering experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and permit requirements concerning water pollution control or abatement.
Ability to explain the process of enforcing laws, regulations, and permit requirements to internal and external stakeholders.
At least three years of engineering experience preparing comprehensive and timely reports of inspection findings.
At least three years of engineering experience analyzing and interpreting complex technical scientific data relating to facilities, installations, equipment, and water pollution control systems and processes.
At least three years of experience establishing and maintaining liaison with, and communicating inspection or investigation findings to, government officials, facility owners, operators, plant managers or their representatives, and the general public.
Ability to use a personal computer and software applications.

Responsibilities

Serve as working supervisor to Field Operations Section staff in the Bureau of Water at the Champaign Regional Office.
Direct highly technical site inspections and investigations, complaint and incident inspections, and special investigations.
Provide technical support for the enforcement process.
Review highly complex and technical scientific documents.
Conduct meetings and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
Interpret and explain Agency policies and water pollution control regulations.
Provide technical assistance to staff inspectors, professional staff, and mine operators.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.