ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

Job Requisition ID: 49328
Closing Date: 09/08/2025
​Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPEC I - 13821
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $4,954 monthly; Full Range $4,954 - $6,894 monthly.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:

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.

***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.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I

(Job Assignment Only: Targeted title for Life Sciences Career Trainee Bid Req#49327)

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Field Operations Section, Central Region/Springfield is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Specialist I. This position performs a variety of functions both in the office and in the field, including but not limited to, 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, comfortable with daily public interaction, and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast paced environment.

The benefits of working at the IEPA 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

• Observes and participates in or conducts routine 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), Central Region/Springfield;
• Provides for Region Manager’s close review and signature;
• 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.
• Assists with collecting water, soil and waste samples to substantiate violations and/or determine the extent of
  contamination;
• Attends and participates in meetings and keeps current on relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures
  related to waste management in Illinois;
• 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 ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
• Prefers the ability to profit benefit from training and continuing education.
• Prefers the ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires current and valid driver’s license with the ability to travel.
• 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 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 swimming in emergency situations to get
  to sites (as required by OHSA 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 the ability to pass a name based background check.
• 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. 
• 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) or may be subject to a fine.

*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: 2520 W Iles Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Agency Contact:  Chris Steinkruger
Email:  [email protected]
Phone #:  217-558-1256 
Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

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 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.

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:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]