ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Leaking Underground Storage Section, Unit A is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist 1. This position performs beginning level professional duties related to the observation, participation in, or conduct of field inspections and investigations with other professional staff of pollution sources and environmental control systems in the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Section, Unit A. The ideal candidate will assist higher level staff in drawing conclusions that ultimately lead to preliminary recommendations for approval or denial of permits, variances or standards. The position will also assist higher level staff in the interpretation of environmental laws and regulations, bureau/division programs, permit actions, cleanup actions, and environmental/health impacts to prepare documents and reports.

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, participates in, and assists higher level specialists in reviews of routine scientific corrective action plans and reports for groundwater and soil remediation to determine if they are technically adequate in the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) A Unit, for the Bureau of Land (BOL), in accordance with regulations pertaining to 35 Illinois Administrative Code, Part 731 and Part 734;

• Performs beginning level professional duties by providing written and verbal comments to owners/operators regarding technical deficiencies
• Under close review of the Unit Manager, coordinates with other Bureau/Agency personnel regarding proposed alternative technologies
• Assists higher level specialists in drawing conclusions that ultimately lead to determining compliance with cleanup

30% 2. Observes, participates in or reviews routine scientific 20-day, 45-day, and site investigation plans and reports for accuracy to ensure with all requirements of 35 Illinois Administrative Code, Part 731 and Part 734;

• Prepares for supervisor close review letters to be sent to owners/operators regarding deficiencies found in the 20-day,45-day and site investigation plans and reports
• Utilizes a personal computer to update databases, document notes, maintain reports, receive and send emails objectives for site remediation

15% 3. Observes and assists higher level specialist in the review of time and material breakdown(s), bill(s) and receipt(s) ensuring their inclusion in the budget and reimbursement submittals;

• Reviews claims submitted for reasonableness
• Prepares cost summaries for Supervisor close review of those costs which are unreasonable

Essential Functions - Continued

10% 4. Observes, participates and assists in routines inspections at LUST sites to determine compliance with all approved plans and regulations;

• Coordinates with other Agency personnel to establish cleanup objectives for LUST sites
• Coordinates with the Community Relations staff to prepare community relations plans and to implement said plans at assigned LUST cleanup sites and assists higher level specialists with presentations at meetings
• Implements safety standards (subject to 29 CFR 1910.120) in performance of inspection activities.
• Travels in performance of duties

05% 5. Under close review of the Unit Manager, assists higher level specialist and the Division of Legal Counsel in the preparation of enforcement cases against owners/operators for;

• Non-compliance with the requirements of 35 Illinois Administrative Code, Part 731 and Part 734
• The Illinois Pollution Control Board appeals regarding eligibility decisions, deductible amounts, and nonpayment costs which were deemed unreasonable by the Agency

05% 6. Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. 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
2. Requires a master’s degree with coursework in the physical, life, or environmental sciences.

Preferred Qualification (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers the working knowledge of modern inspectional and investigative techniques and procedures.
2. Prefers the working knowledge of modern environmental control systems, facilities, techniques and procedures.
3. Prefers the working knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations as pertaining to environmental protection or pollution abatement.
4. Prefers the ability to prepare comprehensive, technical and scientific reports of field investigations and/or inspections.
5. Prefers the ability to analyze and interpret the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations and equipment.
6. Prefers the ability to establish and maintain working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives and general public.
7. Prefers the ability to interpret pertinent state laws, rules, regulations, policies or procedures of the agency to individuals and municipal bodies.
8. Prefers ability to operate field equipment (and sampling equipment) such as a camera, dissolved oxygen testing and monitoring equipment, Hach field kit, real time analyzer, hand-held gas detectors, sound level meters and (drilling, sampling, and probing equipment).
9. Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer and knowledge of software applications.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to travel.
3. As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, this position will be required to take (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge of (8 hr. 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 training.
4. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.