Methods & Procedures Advisor I

Job Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Water (BOW), Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC), Permit Section, Industrial Unit, 401 / Mines Sub-Unit is seeking to hire a Methods & Procedures Advisor I to perform routine technical studies and research functions relative to the development, analysis and revision of methods of operation, and techniques and procedures utilized in specific phases of the operation in the 401 / Mines Sub-Unit.  This position will assist with larger, more complex studies of methods and procedures. 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 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 EPA 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

• Designs and performs routine studies in methods and procedures for water pollution control programs that include
  federal Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certifications and associated state permits for Lake Michigan
  construction activities and dredged material disposal facilities, state and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
  System (NPDES) permits for coal and non-coal mining activities, Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFO)
  permits, and Illinois Environmental Protection Act endorsements for Agrichemical Facilities and Tax Certifications for
  livestock and agrichemical facilities;


• Develops, revises, and documents the methods and procedures used to catalog Unit workflow data in multiple
  database systems and analogous spreadsheets, in support of Agency data collection requirements for Unit
  programs that include Clean Water Act Section 401 certifications, coal and non-coal mining activity permits, Agency
  endorsements for agrichemical facilities, state permits for Lake Michigan construction activities, Agency tax
  certifications of livestock and agrichemical facilities, state permits for dredged material disposal facilities, and
  NPDES permits for Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFO):


• Performs research, analysis, and procedural evaluation for the federal Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality
  certification (WQC) program; assists in revising and installing improved operating procedures:


• Conducts methods and procedures studies of the state and NPDES coal and non-coal mine activities (mining)
  program;


• Receives and, in accordance with supervisor or management approval, provides response to inquiries from
  coregulators, the regulated community and the public concerning matters related to Unit methods, procedures, and
  regulatory programs; assists in developing procedures for handling such inquiries:


• Develops training materials, methods, and procedures for staff assigned to the Administrative Support Unit for the
  Division of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Water, to facilitate the Unit’s goals; assists in the installation of new
  procedures.


• 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 courses in public
  administration, accounting, industrial relations, prelegal or personnel management.   


• Requires one-year professional experience in public administration, business management, or accounting.

Specialized Skills (Used for certain BU Employees only)

• Requires one year of experience implementing a state water quality certification program pursuant to federal CWA Section
  401 under the 2020 CWA Section 401 Certification Rule.


• Requires one year of experience utilizing a dredge and fill certification application database.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers one year of experience implementing a federal or state water quality certification program pursuant to federal CWA
  Section 401 under the 2020 CWA Section 401 Certification Rule.


• Prefers one year of experience using a database to manage environmental permit applications.


• Prefers one year of experience developing or revising standard operating procedures for a regulatory program.


• Prefers one year of experience analyzing or evaluating program workflow methods and procedures.


• Prefers one year of experience working with federal or state environmental regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act, NPDES,
  RCRA).


• Prefers working experience with methods and procedures and of administrative programs, policies, and objectives.


• Prefers ability to exercise sound judgment in appraising and evaluating problems of an operational and procedural nature.


• Prefers ability to organize and present material effectively either orally or in writing.


• Prefers elementary knowledge of pertinent state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a current and valid driver’s license.


• Requires the ability to travel.


• Requires the 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.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.