ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Air (BOA), Air Pollution Control, Field Operations Section, Asbestos Central Region Unit 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 Asbestos Central Region Unit. 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

30%  1. Observes, participates in and assists in conducting routine investigations and surveillance activities for Air Pollution Control (APC), Field Operations Section (FOS), Asbestos Central Region Unit, for the monitoring of asbestos removal and/or demolition activities at assigned sites;

• Adheres to procedures in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws, rules and regulations ensuring compliance
• Prepares routine reports for supervisor’s close review with results of investigations and surveillance activities for utilization in enforcement proceedings
• Performs follow up inspections of clean-up operations in conjunction with previous inspections ensuring proper procedures are adhered to
• Prepares recommendations to higher level staff on investigation findings
• Attends and participates in hearings and court cases to present testimony concerning findings
• Wears chemical protective clothing and respiratory protection and utilizes heavy (e.g. 50 pounds) sampling equipment, per Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120 and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) asbestos requirements.
• Travels in performance of duties

30%  2. Observes, participates in and assists higher level staff in investigating citizen complaints pertaining to asbestos removal/demolition and cleanup operations.

Essential Functions - Continued

15%  3. Observes, participates in, and assists with the review of Asbestos Demolition and Renovation Notification forms and fee payments;

• Follows up with submitters to track and ensure proper notification was filed

​​​​​​​15%  4. Observes and participates in with higher level staff to gain knowledge in explaining and interpreting

• State and Federal laws, rules/regulations, policies/procedures, and Agency programs and policies related to asbestos removal to asbestos contractors, site owners and State and local Agencies.

05%  5. Assists higher level staff in investigating enforcement and variance situations.

05%  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:
   1. one year of professional experience in pollution abatement or a related field, or
   2. completion of an agency 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 one (1) year of experience of modern inspectional and investigative techniques and procedures.
2. Prefers one (1) year of experience of modern environmental control systems, facilities, techniques and procedures.
3. Prefers one (1) year of experience of state laws, rules and regulations as pertaining to environmental protection or pollution abatement.
4. Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive, technical and scientific reports of field investigations and/or inspections.
5. Prefers ability to analyze and interpret the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations and equipment.
6. Prefers ability to establish and maintain working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives.
7. Prefers 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 such as a camera, dissolved oxygen testing and monitoring equipment, Hach field kit, real time analyzer, and sound level meters.
9. Prefers one (1) year of experience in the field of asbestos abatement.
10. Prefers possession of a current asbestos inspector’s license.
11. Prefers one (1) year of experience utilizing a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access software

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid driver’s license

2. Requires the ability to travel

3. Requires the ability to pass a physical examination which is intended to determine whether a person is medically fit to wear respiratory protection and function in a high heat stress situations while wearing chemical protective clothing as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 and IDPH requirements.
4. This position will be required to obtain (within 6 months of employment) Asbestos Inspector licensure from the IDPH
5. Requires ability to lift heavy sampling equipment (e.g. 50 pounds)
6. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check