ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER I (UMP)

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

• $78K — $89K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering science, preferably in environmental or related fields.
  • No prior experience required, making it accessible for recent graduates.
  • Ability to prepare technical engineering reports is preferred.
  • Proficiency in mathematical computations and standard theory application is preferred.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel software is preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Assist higher-level engineers in routine engineering reviews for source emissions testing.
  • Conduct on-site facility engineering investigations related to emission control.
  • Provide technical assistance to permit and compliance staff regarding air emission regulations.
  • Participate in compliance conferences addressing non-compliance issues.
  • Assist in training sessions for visible emission readings for agency personnel and industry representatives.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned within the scope of engineering responsibilities.

Benefits

  • 37.5-hour work week promoting work-life balance.
  • Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Pension and retirement benefits included.
  • Tuition reimbursement available for further education.
  • Insurance eligibility on day one, covering medical, dental, vision, and life.
Full Job Description
Job Requisition ID: 59147 Opening Date: 09/30/2026Closing Date: 10/14/2026Agency: Environmental Protection AgencyClass Title: ENV PROT ENGINEER I (13791) Skill Option: None Bilingual Option: NoneSalary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,540 monthly; Full Range $6,540 - $7,480 monthly.Job Type: SalariedCategory: Full TimeNumber of Vacancies: 1Bargaining Unit Code: RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCMEMerit Comp Code:
Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday 1 hr lunch
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational need
Headquarter Location: 9511 W Harrison St, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger
Email:
Phone #: 217-558-1256

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.

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Air (BOA), Compliance Section, Source Monitoring unit, Des Plaines Regional office is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Engineer 1. This position performs a variety of closely supervised functions that are designed to provide a basic introduction to, and training in the explicit engineering programs for the Compliance Section, Source Monitoring unit, Des Plaines Regional office. The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, detailed, and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast paced environment. The ideal candidate will also need to be able to communicate effectively verbally, electronically and in writing with both internal and external stakeholders.

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

  • Assists higher level engineers in routine engineering reviews to gain knowledge in source emissions testing and monitoring for Bureau of Air (BOA), Air Pollution Control (APC), Compliance.
  • Assists higher level engineers in routine on-site facility engineering investigations and evaluations related to emission control and monitoring.
  • Assists higher level engineers in routine facility engineering investigations and evaluations related to emission control and monitoring.
  • Provides engineering/technical assistance to Permit, Compliance and Legal staff in the development of permit conditions and regulatory and enforcement actions involving air emission controls and measurement.
  • Observes and participates in compliance conferences, including the violation notice and enforcement process, between Agency and industry, to address non-compliance relating to stack testing and other issues involving atmospheric emissions and procedures to monitor those emissions.
  • Assists in the preparation and presentation of visible emission reading training (smoke school) twice yearly for personnel from the agency, local governments, and industry; includes set-up and operation of equipment instruction in proper procedures, and grading of test papers.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with a bachelor's degree in an engineering science. Typically, the subject matter would involve the type of coursework associated with environmental (sanitary, hydraulic, hydrology, and air pollution specialties), civil (sanitary, hydraulic, and hydrology specialties), general, industrial, mechanical, chemical, public health, electronic, acoustical, or aeronautical engineering or engineering mechanics or a closely related engineering specialty.
  • Requires no previous experience.
  • This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.


Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

  • Prefers the ability to prepare technical engineering reports.
  • Prefers the ability to make mathematical computations and calculations involving the application of standard theory.
  • Prefers the ability to independently conduct routine engineering investigations and assist higher level engineering personnel in making complex or difficult investigations.
  • Prefers the ability to conduct personal interviews concerning routine problems with a wide variety of representatives of the general public.
  • Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel software.


Conditions of Employment

  • Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers' license.
  • Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
  • 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.
  • Requires the ability to climb ladders, stairs, catwalks, scaffolding and smokestacks 75 feet or more in height.
  • Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
  • 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.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

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:

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