Job Description

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Closing Date/Time: 07/23/2024 Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/24) $4,766 monthly; Full Range $4,766 - $6,632 monthly. Job Type: Salaried County: Madison Number of Vacancies: 1 Plan/BU: RC062 This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position. All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal. Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered. Posting Identification Number 38798 Environmental Protection Specialist I (Job Assignment Only: Targeted title for Life Sciences Career Trainee Bid Req# 38797) *Please upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licenses you possess to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. * Note: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency must verify and have proof of higher education and coursework (if applicable) for any degree earned before any offer can be extended. *Answer all questions thoroughly-DO NOT STATE SEE RESUME* Job Overview: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Field Operations Section, Southern Region/Collinsville Office is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist I. This position performs beginning level professional duties related to working routine field inspections/investigations of hazardous and solid waste management and disposal facilities and remediation sites. The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, detailed and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will also need to be able to communicate effectively verbally, electronically and in writing with both internal and external stakeholders. 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: 35% 1. Observes and participates in conducting routine technical and scientific field inspections/investigations of hazardous and solid waste management and disposal facilities and remediation sites for the Field Operations Section (FOS), Bureau of Land (BOL), Southern Region/Collinsville; Completes a thorough review of the site’s activities Determines regulated status, and whether the site is in compliance with laws and regulations. Conducts activities that utilize safety equipment and perform rigorous physical activity to meet safety standards to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120. Travels in the performance of duties. 25% 2. Provides for the Region Manager’s close review and signature; Technical and basic scientific inspection/investigation reports, letters, and memorandums by data collected. Takes pertinent photos. Utilizes a personal computer, with word processing and database software. 20% 3. Assists in providing information (verbally or in writing) on relevant environmental matters to facility owners/operators, the public, governmental agencies and others outside the Agency. Prepares necessary compliance and enforcement documents to be utilized in hearings or court cases. Attends and participates in legal proceedings. Essential Functions - Continued: 10% 4. Assists with collecting water, soil and waste samples to substantiate violations and/or determine the extent of contamination; Requires the utilization of field and safety equipment. Participates in multimedia inspections and investigations with bureaus and shares pertinent information with them. 5% 5. Attends and participates in meetings and keeps current on relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to waste management in Illinois; Attends training and studies-related documents to develop skills. 5% 6. Perform other duties as assigned or required, which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above. Minimum Qualifications: Requires the knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college with coursework in the physical, life or environmental sciences and requires either: a) one year of professional experience in pollution abatement or a related field, OR b) completion of an agency approved training program. OR Requires a master's degree with coursework in the physical, life, or environmental sciences. Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance): Prefers the working knowledge of modern inspectional and investigative techniques and procedures. Prefers the working knowledge of modern environmental control systems, facilities, techniques, and procedures. Prefers the working knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations as pertaining to environmental protection or pollution abatement. Prefers the ability to prepare comprehensive, technical, and scientific reports of field investigations and/or inspections. Prefers the ability to analyze and interpret the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations, and equipment. Prefers the ability to establish and maintain working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives. Conditions of Employment: Requires ability to participate in the medical monitoring program. Requires ability to pass a physical examination, which is intended to determine whether a person can wear respiratory protection and function in high heat stress situations while wearing chemical protective clothing. Requires ability to wear a respirator or other form of respiratory protection. Requires ability to carry and utilize a self-contained breathing apparatus (weighing approximately 25 pounds). Requires ability to wear chemical-resistant clothing in high heat stress situations while performing strenuous physical tasks (e.g. carrying equipment up a steep ravine at a temperature up to 100F). Requires ability to lift heavy equipment (e.g. 45 pounds). Requires ability of hiking, climbing, wading in streams or getting in/out of boats or swim in emergency situations to get to sites (as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120). This position will be required to complete (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge of (8-hour annual refresher) and/or certification to ensure position is up to date with laws, rules and regulations to maintain compliance with IL Department of Labor Occupational Safety Regulations: 40-hour OSHA training. Requires a valid driver's license and the ability to travel. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check. Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday Work Location: 1101 Eastport Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Collinsville, Illinois, 62234 Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger Email: Christopher.E.Steinkruger@Illinois.gov Phone #:217-558-1256 Posting Group: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; Environmental & Natural Resources This position [DOES NOT] contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs). Revolving Door: “Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”), and seek a revolving door determination from the OEIG, or may be subject to a fine.” Agency Statement: The mission of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is to safeguard environmental quality, consistent with the social and economic needs of the State of Illinois, so as to protect health, welfare, property, and the quality of life. IEPA works to safeguard the state's natural resources from pollution to provide a healthy environment for its citizens. By partnering with businesses, local governments and citizens, IEPA is dedicated to continued protection of the air we breathe and our water and land resources. The IEPA does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent IEPA employment, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process. If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account. If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources: State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website. The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com