Environmental Protection Specialist I - Water Quality Standards Section Manager, Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC), Bureau of Water (BOW)

Under direct supervision of the Water Quality Standards Section Manager, Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC), Bureau of Water (BOW), assists higher level staff in developing and preparing technical and scientific water quality standards recommendations for adoption by the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB). Observes, participates, and conducts antidegradation review of new or modified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitted discharges or Section 401 water quality certifications; works closely with Water Permit Section staff to provide information for the issuance of new and renewed NPDES permits; observes and assists in evaluating results of whole effluent toxicity (WED testing conducted on discharges from NPDES facilities; participates in the review of chemical additives applied by NPDES permitted facilities for maintenance of industrial and municipal waterworks. Observes and participates in special biological and waste chemistry field studies designed to validate new methods or develop new implementation regulations; conducts activities that utilize heavy sampling equipment (e.g., 50 pounds). Travels in performance of duties.

Education and Experience: 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. Requires one year of professional experience in pollution abatement or a related field. Prefers a bachelor's degree in Aquatic Biology, Toxicology, Fisheries Biology; Zoology or related field; or, prefers coursework (18-20 semester hours) in ecology, toxicology, limnology or related environmental science supplemented by a master's degree.

Knowledge. Skills and Abilities: Requires ability to prepare comprehensive, technical and scientific reports of field investigations and/or inspections. Requires ability to analyze and interpret the scientific data of plans for facilities, installations and equipment. Requires ability to establish and maintain working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers, or their representatives. Requires ability to interpret pertinent state laws, rules, regulations, policies or procedures of the agency to individuals and municipal bodies. Requires ability to operate field equipment such as a camera, dissolved oxygen testing and monitoring equipment, Hach field kit, real time analyzer, sound level meters.

Specialized Skills: Of the one year experience required: requires one year of experience in the field of Aquatic Biology, Toxicology, or Fisheries Biology and in gathering, analyzing and interpreting water quality and/or toxicity data.

Specific Job Requirements: Requires ability to lift heavy sampling equipment (e.g. 50 pounds); requires the ability to operate field water testing equipment and to collect water samples. Requires the ability to travel and a valid driver's license. Requires the ability to Utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access and Excel software.

Desirable Requirements: Prefers experience in field biology, aquatic toxicology, or the study of biology and chemistry in stream systems; prefers experience interpreting macroinvertebrate, fish, phytoplankton and other biological data.