LIFE SCIENCES CAREER TRAINEE (UMP)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

4d•$4,747 - $6,446•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Water Pollution Control, Surface Water Section, Northern, Central, and Southern Monitoring/Central Unit is seeking to hire a Life Sciences Career Trainee (Option E). The ideal candidate will participate in the agency-sponsored training program for a six to twelve-month duration. This trainee position receives working assignments designed to develop knowledge, understanding, and practical skills consonant with various professional life sciences career disciplines. As a LSCT, you will receive controlled assignments in a broad range of departmental activities with increasing difficulty and responsibility. 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).

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in some field of the life sciences.
Requires a valid driver’s license.
Requires the ability to travel.
Requires the ability to swim.
Requires the ability to lift, carry, and transport loads weighing up to 60 pounds.
Requires the ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.
Requires the ability to operate small watercraft (e.g., canoe, boats equipped with outboard motors weighing up to 60 pounds, with ability to lift outboard motors) while collecting environmental samples.
Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Prefers a Bachelor of science degree in Biology (aquatic or environmental), with specific coursework (15-17 semester hours) in Limnology, Aquatic Biology, Ecology, or closely related environmental science.
Prefers experience utilizing scientific testing and sampling equipment and established protocols to monitor aquatic macroinvertebrates, aquatic habitat, or water chemistry.
Prefers experience identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Prefers experience in conducting field work and operating under a variety of environmental conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.).
Prefers experience operating small watercraft including trailering, backing, launching, navigating or re-trailing watercraft.
Prefers the ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Prefers the ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, presentation software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Survey123, and statistical analysis packages.
Prefers the ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.

Responsibilities

Receives training for a period of six to twelve months duration to gain knowledge in conducting stream and lake monitoring and assessment activities in the Northern, Central, and Southern Monitoring Unit/Central, Surface Water Section, for the Division of Water Pollution Control/Bureau of Water.
Receives training in stream and lake monitoring activities to support the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network, Intensive Basin Survey, Ambient Lake, Harmful Algal Bloom, and Facility-Related Stream Survey programs.
Receives training to assist in activities in support of stream, lake, and watershed related efforts.
Receives training to gain knowledge and participate in the preparation of the biennial Clean Water Act Sections 305(b)/303(d) Integrated Report.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.