ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER I (UMP)

State of Illinois; Rockford (IL); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Rockford Regional Office, seeks an Environmental Protection Engineer I (UMP) to support field operations and learn under senior engineers.

The role focuses on inspecting wastewater facilities, reviewing permits, and assisting enforcement efforts. This entry-level position offers a 37.5-hour week, a hybrid schedule, and union protections through RC063, with competitive statutory benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related field.
• Upward Mobility Program eligibility; internal transfer preferred.
• Willingness to travel and perform on-site inspections.

Responsibilities

• Assists higher level field staff in inspections of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities; MS4, storm water facilities, and related systems.
• Assists higher level field staff in investigating citizen complaints and emergency response incidents related to water pollution.
• Provides technical support for the enforcement process.
• Reviews documents related to NPDES permits, LTCP, CMOM plans, and related reports.
• Communicates inspection findings with local, state, and federal officials and stakeholders.

Skills

Engineering knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER I (UMP)

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

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.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:59160
Opening Date:10/14/2026
Closing Date:10/28/2026
Agency:Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title:ENV PROT ENGINEER I (13791)
Skill Option:None
Bilingual Option:None
Salary:Anticipated Starting Salary $6,540 monthly; Full Range $6,540 - $7,480 monthly.
Job Type:Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies:1
Bargaining Unit Code:RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours:8:30 am -5:00 pm Monday -Friday 1 hr lunch
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability:4 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location:4302 N Main St, Rockford, Illinois, 61103
Work County:Winnebago
Agency Contact:[e-mail]

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

Posting Identification Number 59160

Environmental Protection Engineer I

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.

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Field Operation Section, Rockford 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 Field Operation Section Rockford Regional Office. The ideal candidate will assist a higher-level engineers / specilist in the investigation of the design, location, construction, maintenance, or inspection of subsystems of public and private facilities relating to Field Operations Section.

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 field staff to gain knowledge and training in conducting inspections of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities; combined and separate sanitary sewer systems; municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), industrial, and construction storm water facilities; mine facilities; and livestock facilities for the Rockford Regional Office, Field Operation Section (FOS), Division of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Water.
• Assists higher level field staff to gain knowledge and training in investigating/evaluating citizen complaints and emergency response incidents related to water pollution; odors from wastewater treatment and livestock facilities; and fish kills.
• Assists higher level field staff to gain knowledge and training in providing technical support for the enforcement process.
• Assists higher level field staff to gain knowledge and training in reviewing technical documents associated with federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State water pollution control permits; facility plans and specifications; long term control plans (LTCP); Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) plans; wastewater operator contracts; and loan projects.
• Participates with higher level field staff to gain knowledge and training in conducting meetings and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties.

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), agricultural, general, industrial, mechanical, chemical, public health, electronic, acoustical, or aeronautical engineering or engineering mechanics or a closely related engineering specialty
• This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers a bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, or agricultural engineering.
• Prefers knowledge of water pollution control technologies, facilities, and technical documents.
• Prefers knowledge of inspection and investigative techniques, equipment, and procedures.
• Prefers knowledge of laws, regulations, and permit requirements concerning water pollution control or abatement and ability to explain the process of enforcing these laws, regulations, and permit requirements.
• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive and timely reports of inspection findings.
• Prefers ability to analyze and interpret complex and extensive scientific data relating to facilities, installations, equipment, and water pollution control systems and processes.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain liaison and communicate inspection findings with local, State, and federal officials; facility owners, operators, plant managers, or their representatives; and the public.
• Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer and software applications.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers’ license
• As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, this position will be required to take (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: 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training.
• 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 ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics to the job duties.
• Requires ability to lift equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Requires the ability to operate field water testing and sampling equipment.
• 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) or may be subject to a fine.

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.