Environmental Protection Engineer I (Ump)

State of Illinois; Springfield (MO); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks an Environmental Protection Engineer 1 in Springfield to begin with closely supervised tasks and training in its water programs. You will assist senior engineers with design and inspection duties related to public water supply and wastewater facilities.

The role offers a 37.5 hour work week, benefits, and potential advancement opportunities. It suits new graduates eager to learn in a public service environment.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge and training equal to completion of four years of college with a bachelor's degree in an engineering science.
• Prefers ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Word, Excel, and Access.

Responsibilities

• Assist a higher-level engineer in investigation of design, location, construction, maintenance, or inspection of subsystems of water pollution facilities.
• Review routine permit applications for industrial wastewater treatment and related facilities with guidance from senior staff.
• Participate in meetings, hearings, and discussions with applicants, engineers, agencies and the public.
• Review applications for certification of industrial wastewater treatment plant operators.
• Perform additional duties as assigned within the unit scope.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering science

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Job description

Job Requisition ID:59480
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 10/26/2026
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
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: 2520 W Iles Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger
Email: [e-mail]
Phone #: [phone]

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

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.

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.

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC), Permit Section, Industrial Unit, Industrial Springfield is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Engineer 1. The ideal candidate will perform a variety of closely supervised functions that are designed to provide a basic introduction to, and training in the explicit engineering programs of the unit. The ideal candidate will also assist a higher-level engineer in the investigation of the design, location, construction, maintenance, or inspection of subsystems of public and private facilities relating to water pollution and public water supply.

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

• Gains knowledge and training by working with higher-level staff in the performance of a variety of routine
  engineering functions as necessary to support non-municipal wastewater permitting programs for the Permit Section,
  Industrial Unit, Industrial Springfield Sub-Unit, Division of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Water.
• Reviews state construction and operating permit applications, with the assistance of higher-level staff, for routine industrial treatment and pretreatment facilities, wastewater sources, land application of sludge, spray irrigation of industrial wastewaters, and Underground Injection Control (UIC) permitting.
• Observes higher level staff by participating in meetings, public hearings, and/or discussions with applicants,
  consulting engineers, other Agency staff, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) staff, the U.S.
  Army Corps of Engineers, other State and Federal Agencies or the public.
• Conducts reviews of applications for certification of industrial wastewater treatment plant operators.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonable 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 ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access software.
• Prefers ability to prepare complete and accurate permits, correspondence, and engineering review notes.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain oral communication and working relationships with municipal officials, facility operators and owners, plant managers or their representatives, other State and Federal Agencies and the public.

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 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.
  *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”.

Revolving Door: "Certain provisions of the revolving