Environmental Compliance Specialist I

Aqua America, Inc.; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is seeking an Environmental Compliance Specialist I in Glenview, IL to support compliance programs across multiple systems. You will perform administrative tasks, prepare sampling plans, and coordinate with operators and engineers to meet regulatory requirements.

This role requires a BA/BS in Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Sciences and 2–4 years of water/wastewater experience.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required (Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences preferred).
• 2–4 years water/wastewater operations or compliance experience preferred.
• Experience with databases and computerized maintenance management systems preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; effective with internal customers.

Responsibilities

• Schedule sampling for all systems and assist operators and managers with sampling issues (regularly).
• Record and monitor test results in spreadsheets or databases.
• Coordinate with state labs and regulators to ensure accurate paperwork and compliance.
• Review sampling and chain-of-custody forms to ensure proper documentation.
• Prepare and maintain sampling plans for monthly bacteriological, lead and copper, disinfection by-products, and other samples.
• Draft compliance reports and compile data for regulatory submissions.
• Communicate test results and regulatory information to supervisors and customers.
• Coordinate environmental programs across assigned states and with engineers and management.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Customer service

Team player

Multitasking

Pressure management

Education

BA/BS in Engineering, Biology, Chemistry or Environmental Sciences

Tools

Databases

CMMS

Excel

Job description

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Are you passionate about the environment, protecting water resources and providing your neighbors with the highest quality water possible? If so, we have a great opportunity for an Environmental Compliance Specialist I in Glenview IL. The Environmental Compliance Specialist I will be responsible for performing a variety of administrative tasks to support Aqua’s compliance functions in accordance with compliance initiatives and regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Schedule sampling for all systems at the appropriate times and assist operators and managers with sampling issues.
• Records and monitors test results on Excel spreadsheets or appropriate databases.
• Contact the state to correct any discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with sampling requirements by reviewing chain of custody forms, checks sample codes, and work with the labs to ensure complete and accurate paperwork for each sample and track sample results.
• Ensure that all monthly and quarterly samples are collected.
• Review the test results for compliance.
• Report any exceeding amounts to the responsible departments (internal managers).
• Draft compliance reports and compiles data for reports.
• Organize and track compliance work for inclusion in reports, including field data.
• Issue work orders and schedules for additional compliance work.
• Plot and graphs data, and tracks compliance.
• Review inspection reports and regulatory correspondence.
• Share information with others electronically and draft response letters.
• Issue work orders for compliance repairs.
• Meet with operators and managers to discuss inspection reports.
• Work with engineer and managers to draft responses.
• Prepare and maintain sampling plan including monthly bacteriological, lead and copper, disinfection by-products, and others for all systems and updates sample sites as needed.
• Ensure all samples are collected and reviews data.
• Collect flow and pumping data from groundwater wells to ensure compliance with all applicable permits.
• Communicate urgent information to supervisors and operators and customers regarding water quality inquiries.
• Serve in an advisory/training capacity towards plant staff on sampling and proper test procedures to ensure compliance.
• Reviews inspection reports and regulatory correspondence, meeting with operators and managers as needed to gather details and discuss results.
• Partners with engineers and management to draft responses.
• Coordinates and oversees environmental programs including water and wastewater sampling programs at assigned states.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS Degree required (Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences degree preferred).
• 2‑4 years related water/wastewater operations or compliance related experience preferred.
• Experience working with databases and computerized maintenance management systems preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely and professionally) with internal customers.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi‑tasking environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This opportunity will be based in our Glenview office located at 4263 Commercial Way Glenview IL 60025. Working conditions include some travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents, we anticipate this role traveling to other sites about 1x day a week or about 8x hours a week. After a 90‑day probationary period, and subject to manager approval, this role is eligible to work from home on Tuesdays and Fridays per current company policy. Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Aff Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered‑veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1‑877‑271‑9012). To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to: Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship Family members cannot work in the same department. Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.