ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEER III

State-of-Illinois; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) seeks an Environmental Protection Engineer III to review planning and design documents for water main extensions and treatment plants. The role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate under pressure.

The incumbent will interact with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with public water supply permit rules. A generous benefits package accompanies this civil service position.

Qualifications

• Requires a four-year college degree in engineering with relevant environmental, civil, or related specialty.
• Two years of professional engineering experience required; a master''s may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed technical reviews of plans and specifications for water-related projects.
• Provide technical support to programs related to safe drinking water and treatment systems.
• Communicate technical information effectively to stakeholders.

Skills

Environmental engineering

Hydraulic engineering

Public health

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor''s degree in engineering

Master''s degree in engineering or MBA

Job description

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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:58639
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
Closing Date: 09/23/2026
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title:ENV PROT ENGINEER III (13793)
Skill Option:None
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460 monthly; Full Range $6,460 - $9,337 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: 9511 Harrison St, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: Christopher 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.

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), Public Water Supplies (PWS), Unit B is seeking to hire an Environmental Protection Engineer III. This position performs engineering reviews of plans and specifications submitted by applicants and/or applicants’ representatives for construction and/or modification of water main extensions and new PWS Permit Program treatment plants and/or improvement plans of existing treatment plants for the PWS Permit Program. 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 position requires confidentiality and professionalism, often under sensitive and controversial circumstances. 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

• Performs detailed technical engineering reviews of complex plans and specifications water treatment processes/
  technologies for engineering projects within all phases of the State’s Public Water Supplies permitting program;
  water main extensions, storage facilities and water treatment plant construction/improvement projects for their
  conformance with the Public Water Supplies’ Permit Program rules and regulations for the Public Water Supplies
  Permit Program, Division of Public Water Supplies, Bureau of Water.
• Provides technical support to intra-agency programs directly related to the safe treatment of water provided by
  community water supplies in Illinois;
• Conducts visits of Community Water Supply facilities and supports meetings/conferences to provide technical
  assistance in the implementation of Public Water Supplies’ Permit Program.
• Provides technical assistance in the implementation of Public Water Supplies’ Permit Program rules and
  regulations.
• 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 two years of professional engineering experience in one of the fields listed above.
• A master's degree in engineering or business administration may be substituted for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers two (2) years of experience in the review or preparation of plans and specifications for treatment systems for public
  water supplies.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience developing, designing, or reviewing the design of treatment systems that mitigate the
  impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on drinking water systems and improve HAB mitigation efforts.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience interpreting and conveying pertinent laws, rules, and regulations concerning water
  contamination and treatment or mitigation efforts.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience conveying technical information in a clear manner to the public or stakeholders.

Specialized Skills (Used for certain BU Employees only)

• Requires two (2) years’ experience in determining regulatory compliance of public water supply permit applications.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel.
• 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 position [DOES] 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.