Instructor - Geological Sciences jobs in Springfield, IL

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Water Pollution Control, Surface Water Section, Northern, Central, and Southern Monitoring/Central Unit is seeking to hire a Life Sciences Career Trainee (LSCT) (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 discipline. 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 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

35%  1. Receives training for a period of six to twelve months duration to gain knowledge in conducting stream and lake monitoring and assessment activities in the Northern, Central, and Southern Monitoring Unit/Central, Surface Water Section, for the Division of Water Pollution Control/Bureau of Water.

• Observes and participates in the collection of biological, hydrological, habitat, sediment, and water samples.
• Performs fieldwork activities including lifting equipment weighing up to 60 lbs., operating small watercraft and swimming, often under adverse environmental conditions.
• Handles and interprets data resulting from samples collected.
• Sorts and identifies aquatic macroinvertebrates.
• Prepares for close review, routine scientific environmental data and routine technical written reports of investigations.
• Travels in performance of duties.

Essential Functions (continued)

25%  2. Receives training in stream and lake monitoring activities to support the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network, Intensive Basin Survey, Ambient Lake, Harmful Algal Bloom, and Facility-Related Stream Survey programs.

• Observes and assists with applying established protocols and ensures quality of collected samples.
• Observes and assists with the qualitative and rapid testing process of water samples for algal toxins.
• Provides results and interpretation to Agency staff.
• Interprets routine results and prepares routine scientific reports.

Essential Functions (continued)

20% 3. Receives training to assist in activities in support of stream, lake, and watershed related efforts.

• Collects appropriate biological, chemical, and physical data from streams and lakes.
• Learns to interpret resultant data and develops written technical scientific reports of survey to the Unit Manager.
• Provides routine technical assistance and interprets information to lake management associations, lake managers, and landowners.
• Assists with facility related stream surveys following Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) protocols.
• Observes and receives training in the development and review of technical documents including Standard Operating Procedures, Monitoring Strategy, Basin and Lake Reports, etc.
• Develops working relationships with municipalities, consultants, and other entities to coordinate monitoring.
• Provides reviews and comments on Section 319 grant applications.

Essential Functions (continued)

15% 4. Receives training to gain knowledge and participate in the preparation of the biennial Clean Water Act Sections 305(b)/303(d) Integrated Report.

• Observes and learns assessment process to determine attainment of aquatic life, aesthetic, and other designated uses with identifying potential causes and sources of impairments.
• Assists in compiling and organizing data to be entered and maintained in the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System.

05% 5. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a bachelor's degree in some field of the life sciences.
2. This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
2. Prefers ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
3. Prefers ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government.
4. Prefers ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
5. Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, presentation software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and statistical analysis packages.
6. Prefers experience utilizing scientific testing and sampling equipment and established protocols to monitor aquatic macroinvertebrates, aquatic habitat, or water chemistry, and prefers experience identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates.
7. Prefers Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (aquatic or environmental), with specific coursework (15- 17 semester hours) in Limnology, Aquatic Biology, Ecology, or closely related environmental science.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to travel.
3. Requires the ability to swim.
4. Requires the ability to lift, carry, and transport loads weighing up to 60 pounds.
5. Requires the ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.
6. Requires the ability to operate small watercraft (e.g., canoe, boats equipped with outboard motors weighing up to 60 pounds, with ability to lift outboard motors) while collecting environmental samples.
7. Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.

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

About the Agency

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.