LIFE SCIENCES CAREER TRAINEE (UMP)

Job Requisition ID: 49575
Closing Date: 09/23/2025
​Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title: LIFE SCIENCE CAREER TRAINEE - 23600
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $4,586 monthly; Full Range $4,586 - $6,228 monthly.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
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.

LIFE SCIENCES CAREER TRAINEE (UMP) Req# 49575

(For informational purposes only: Targeted title- Environmental Protection Specialist I Req #49576)

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, Northern Region/Des Plaines is seeking to hire a Life Science Career Trainee (Option E). The ideal candidate will participate in the agency sponsored training program for a six to twelve months duration. This trainee position receives working assignments designed to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills consonant with various professional life sciences career disciplines within the Field Operations Section, Northern Region/Des Plaines. As a LSCT, you will receive controlled assignments in a broad range of departmental activities with increasing difficulty and responsibility.

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

• Receives training for a period of six to twelve months duration to gain knowledge in and assist in conducting 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), Northern Region/Des Plaines;
• Receives training to assist in providing for Region Manager’s close review;
• Receives training to provide information (verbally or in writing) on relevant environmental matters to facility owners/operators, the public, governmental agencies and others outside the Agency;
• Receives training to assist 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 a bachelor's degree in some field of the life sciences.
• This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
• Prefers ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Prefers ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
• Prefers ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to participate in the medical monitoring program and 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 and carry and utilize a self-contained breathing apparatus (weighing approximately 25 pounds).
• 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 OSHA 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 a valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel.
• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.

*All conditions of employment listed 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: 9511 W Harrison Street, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016

Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger
Email: [email protected]
Phone #: 217-558-1256

Posting Group:  Environmental & Natural Resources; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP) . General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles . To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission . UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

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]