ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPEC I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Water Pollution Control, Permit-Reporting is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist I to perform activities associated with the Permit Program, Stormwater. 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 Function 1

35% 1. Observes, participates in, and assists Stormwater Unit staff in duties of a routine nature to implement Construction Site Stormwater, Industrial Stormwater, No Exposures and Municipal Separate Strom Sewer Systems (MS4) permitting programs for the Stormwater Unit, Permit Section, Division of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Water (BOW).

• In the review of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit applications for stormwater dischargers.
• Analysis of permit application file material, including field reports, discharge monitoring reports, Stormwater Management Plans, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, and other available data.
• In applying State and Federal regulations pertaining to stormwater discharges.
• In Unit and Section policies and procedures for the issuance of stormwater permits.
• The preparation of draft permit coverage letters for signature.
• Utilizes a personal computer and computer software to assist in drafting permit review notes.
• In drafting response letters to comments received, response summaries, and other correspondence, and compiles a complete and accurate record of the permit decision process.

Essential Function 2

25% 2. Observes, participates in, and assists Stormwater Unit staff in duties of a routine nature in the review of stormwater permit reports:

• Assists in the review of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Site Stormwater permits.

• Assists in the review of industrial stormwater annual reports.

• Assists in the review of MS4 Stormwater Management Plans.

• Assists with the preparation of draft comment letters and approval letters for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, Stormwater Management Plans, and other stormwater permit reports.

• Assists in the review of reports and supporting documentation related to Construction Site Stormwater, Industrial Stormwater, No Exposures and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permits.

Essential Function 3

20% 3. Observes, assists, and participates in utilizing and maintaining applicable State and Federal compliance and enforcement databases including.

• Assists in the development and planning of the Phase 2 NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule (eReporting).

• Attends, participates, and assists in teleconferences and meetings with USEPA staff and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Central Data Exchange contractors to implement and coordinate the necessary requirements in accordance with the IEPA Act for General Permit requirements and required documentation for the development of the permits into the eReporting Program.

• Assists the Working Supervisor/Technical Expert with advising USEPA and contractor of the State of Illinois’ Permit requirements necessary for IEPA’s approval.

• Provides customer support and compliance assistance in completing electronic forms.

• Transitioning to the CDX based NET tool, and CDX Help Desk.

• Assists in providing Compliance Assurance Section with information to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and IEPA Legal Division staff on cases that have been referred to Attorney General for legal action against non-compliant permittees.

Essential Function 4

10% 4. Assists in the preparation and review of documents for submission to Bureau management and other governmental officials, attends meetings, conferences, and seminars.

• Assist Stormwater Unit staff in the preparation of presentations, reports, statistical summaries and conducting special investigations.

• Attends and participates in meetings, seminars, workshops, public hearings, and/or discussions with applicants, consulting engineers, Agency staff, USEPA staff, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, other State and Federal Agencies and the general public.

• Travels in performance of duties.

Essential Function 5

5% 5. Observes, assists, and participates in drafting management summaries, SOPs, and project status reports utilized by management for program oversite.

Essential Function 6

5% 6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the 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 Illinois EPA approved training program.

OR

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

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers knowledge of stormwater pollution and best management practices.

2. Prefers knowledge of State and federal laws, rules and regulations related to stormwater.

3. Prefers (1) one year of experience in reviewing, or approving permits for Construction Site Stormwater discharges, Industrial Stormwater discharges, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System discharges or stormwater no- exposures.

4. Prefers (1) one year of experience in preparing NPDES applications for Construction Site Stormwater discharges, Industrial Stormwater discharges, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System discharges or stormwater no- exposures.

5. Prefers (1) one year of experience in NPDES permit compliance for Construction Site Stormwater discharges, Industrial Stormwater discharges, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System discharges or stormwater no- exposures.

6. Prefers (1) one year of experience in implementing stormwater programs for Construction Site Stormwater discharges, Industrial Stormwater discharges, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System discharges or stormwater no-exposures.

7. Prefers ability to utilize a personal computer and software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access software.

8. Prefers ability to establish and maintain working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives and the public.

9. Prefers the ability to review comprehensive, technical, and scientific reports.

10. Prefers ability to analyze and interpret the scientific data relating to stormwater pollution.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires ability to pass a name-based background check.

2. Requires the ability to travel.

3. Requires a valid driver’s license