SPSA, OPT 8E, BUREAU OF WATER/WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION, PERMIT SECTION MANAGER

State-of-Illinois; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5 hour work week

Pension and retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Insurance eligibility from day one

Job summary

State of Illinois – Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield HQ, seeks a qualified Permit Section Manager in the Bureau of Water to lead about 25 staff and oversee water pollution permit programs. The role represents IEPA with state, federal, and local partners and helps set policy and procedural standards.

Minimum qualifications: four years of college; four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in water pollution control permitting; and a current Illinois professional

Qualifications

• Four years of college required.
• Experience in environmental water pollution control permitting preferred.
• Current Illinois Professional Engineer license required for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Permit Section Manager for water pollution control permit programs.
• Supervise approximately 25 staff and coordinate with other bureaus.
• Represent IEPA at state, federal and local levels and establish policies and standards.

Skills

Public speaking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Professional Engineer license

Job description

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SPSA, OPT 8E, BUREAU OF WATER/WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION, PERMIT SECTION MANAGER

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: 58666
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 09/28/2026
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title:SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option:Special License - Engineer (Professional)
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $12,100.00-$13,500.00 Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:None
Merit Comp Code:Term Appointment/ Agency
Work Hours: 8:30-5:00 Mon-Fri 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

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

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.

Position Overview

The Bureau of Water is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the Permit Section Manager in the Division of Water Pollution, Bureau of Water located in Springfield, IL. The selected candidate will possess strong leadership and communication skills, be willing to use innovative ways to guide the Permit Section and its staff consisting of approximately 25 individuals to achieve goals and missions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). As a leader for the Permit Section, the individual in this position will frequently represent the IEPA and Bureau of Water at various levels explaining policies to state, federal and local governments, industry, public interest groups, and stakeholders. This individual should also possess the knowledge and experience to initiate and establish policies, standards and procedural guidelines for all Permit Section’s operations.

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

• Serves as the Permit Section Manager, controls the daily operations of all Water Pollution Control permitprograms for the Bureau of Water (BOW)/Water Pollution Control (WPC), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency(IEPA).
• Serves as a full-line supervisor
• Establishes and maintains updated technical policies including
• Directs administration of federally mandated permit related activities within Illinois that are delegated to theAgency.
• Coordinates Bureau permitting programs with activities of other Bureaus including
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumeratedabove.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.
• Prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in environmental water pollution control permitting.
• Requires possession of a current Illinois license as a registered professional engineer.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least (4) four years of experience in reviewing, preparing or approving National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits or preparing NPDES permit applications for wastewater treatment facilities.
• At least (4) four years of experience in reviewing, preparing or approving permits or preparing permit applications for Illinois state operating and construction authorization for wastewater treatment facilities.
• At least (4) four years of experience supervising professional staff in an office setting.
• At least (4) four years of experience in reviewing, preparing or approving permits or preparing permit applications for 401 certifications.
• At least (4) four years of experience in implementing state and federal laws, rules and regulations to water pollution control facilities.
• At least (4) four years of experience in communicating or public speaking to stakeholders or public interest groups regarding state and federal laws regulations pertaining to water pollution control facilities.
• Prefers (4) four years of experience in reviewing, preparing or approving permits or preparing permit applications for coal mine or sand/gravel wastewater treatment facilities.
• Prefers (4) four years of experience in reviewing, preparing or approving permits or preparing permit applications for Combined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) wastewater treatment facilities.
• Prefers (4) four years of experience in reviewing, preparing or approving permits or preparing permit applications for industrial stormwater or municipal separate storm water systems (MS4) or stormwater construction sites.
• At least (4) four years of experience in participating in a rulemaking or enforcement proceeding before the Illinois Pollution Control Board or a judiciary body.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to pass a name-based background check.
• 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.
• 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 position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with Executive EthicsCommission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
  *The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the jobdescription.

Agency Mission: 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 state’s 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.

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”) or may be subject to a fine.

Term Appointment: Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s discretion.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: