Environmental Specialist

Agency : Environmental Protection Agency

Closing Date/Time: 06/02/2024

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/24) $7,491 monthly; Full Range $7,491 - $11,015 monthly.

Job Type: Salaried

County: Williamson

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 37595 Environmental Protection Specialist IV - Working Supervisor/Technical Expert
***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* Position Overview The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Public Water Supply, Field Operations, Southern Region is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist IV to serve as a Working Supervisor and Technical Expert. This position will supervise the unit of professional and technical staff (approx. team of 4-8) in the Field Operations Section at the Collinsville and Marion Regional Offices. The successful candidate will have experience in preparing evaluation reports/documents detailing areas of the evaluated facilities (public water treatment plants) which are non-compliant with State/federal laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures. As a technical expert, the successful candidate will have and utilize their advanced knowledge in public water supplies when reviewing technical and scientific information and applying complex scientific principles to obtain the most desirable outcome.
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 40% 1. Serves as technical expert by conducting highly complex inspections and evaluations of public water supplies pursuant to State and federal rules for the Southern Region, Field Operations Section (FOS), Division of Public Water Supplies, Bureau of Water (BOW); Follow-up visits to determine compliance status. Performs final loan inspections for projects funded through the BOW's Infrastructure Financial Assistance Section (IFAS). Prepares highly complex evaluation reports/documents detailing areas of the evaluated facilities which are non- compliant with State/federal laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and specific actions required to bring facilities into compliance. Supplies Permit Section with field inspections and inventory data of public water supplies necessary to approve/ deny construction permits. Conducts activities that utilize safety equipment and performs physical activity that meet safety standards and comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120. Travels in performance of duties.
Essential Functions (Continued) 30% 2. Serves as working supervisor to the Field Operations Section (FOS), Southern Region technical/professional staff; Assigns and reviews work. Provides guidance and training to assigned staff. Counsels staff regarding work performance. Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs. Establishes annual goals and objectives. Approves time off. Prepares and signs performance evaluations. Essential Functions (Continued) 15% 3. Responds to highly complex public water supply emergencies and citizen complaints/inquiries. Provides highly complex technical compliance assistance to public water supplies in resolving operational issues and improving water quality. Reviews previous correspondence and inspection reports to obtain necessary information. Serves as a specialized staff expert in resolving problems and improving the condition of water/facilities. 05% 4. Administers and proctors the Operator Certification testing process for the Operator Certification Unit of the Compliance Assurance Section (CAS). Provides on-site training and technical assistance to operators.
Essential Functions (Continued) 05% 5. Participates in enforcement cases for the Southern Region in consultation with Division of Public Water Supplies, and Agency Division of Legal Counsel (DLC). Prepares and presents testimony at enforcement hearings. Compiles enforcement materials. Conducts and participates in staff meetings, seminars and conferences. 05% 6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. Minimum Qualifications Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years college with coursework in physical, life, or environmental science. Requires two years supervisory experience in the field of pollution abatement or related field. Preferred Qualifications 1. Prefers a thorough knowledge of public water treatment facilities and related techniques, procedures, and processes.
2. Prefers an extensive knowledge of techniques relative to the supervision of a technical and/or professional staff.
3. Prefers an extensive knowledge of modern inspectional and investigative techniques and procedures.
4. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience in interpreting and applying state laws, rules, regulations, and standards governing public water supplies.
5. Prefers two (2) years of experience inspecting, evaluating, and/or operating public water treatment facilities.efers at least (2) two years of experience applying or complying with the rules governing the sanitary survey process of public water supplies consistent with Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 16) and State regulations.
Preferred Qualifications (Continued) 6. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience applying or complying with the rules governing the sanitary survey process of public water supplies consistent with Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 16) and State regulations.
7. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience analyzing and interpreting complex and extensive scientific data relating to public water treatment facilities, installations, equipment, and processes.
8. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience preparing detailed and comprehensive reports of complex and sensitive field inspection and/or investigations.
9. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience establishing and maintaining a liaison relationship with municipal officials, facility owners and operators, plant managers, or their representatives, and professional staff in a private or public organization.
10. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience supervising a sub-unit of a technical activity within the assigned program.
11. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access software.
12. Prefers at least (2) two years of experience preparing clear and concise written reports and correspondence, good organizational skills, and decision-making abilities.
Specialized Skills (Used for certain BU Employees only) Of the two years' experience required: requires two years' experience inspecting, evaluating, and/or operating public water treatment facilities and applying or complying with the rules governing the sanitary survey process of public water supplies consistent with Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 16) and State regulations including; experience in interpreting and applying state laws, rules, regulations, and standards governing public water supplies. Conditions of Employment Requires a current and valid driver's license. Requires the ability to travel. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check. As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, this position will be required to take (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge (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: 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training. Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends. Requires the ability to use an Agency issued cell phone. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday

Work Location: 2309 W Main St Marion, IL ********

Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger
Email:
Phone #:
Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources

This position [DOES] 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 states 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.

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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
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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: