Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt 8L (Deputy General Counsel, Water Regulatory)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (“Illinois EPA”) is seeking a highly qualified individual with a license to practice law in Illinois and a strong background in the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and associated regulations related to water pollution control and public water supplies to serve as Deputy General Counsel under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel.  The successful candidate will manage the Illinois EPA’s Division of Legal Counsel’s Bureau of Water Regulatory Unit (“BOW Regulatory Unit”) as it provides legal counsel to the Illinois EPA’s Bureau of Water (“BOW”).  This individual will direct attorneys in the BOW Regulatory Unit as they develop and promulgate rulemakings on behalf of BOW.  The successful candidate will manage attorneys in the BOW Regulatory Unit as they represent the Illinois EPA in adjusted standard and variance proceedings and site-specific rulemakings.  This individual will provide legal counsel to BOW and Illinois EPA management on a variety of water pollution control and public water supplies issues.  

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

• Serves as full-line supervisor to legal staff implementing provisions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board’s (IPCB) water pollution control requirements, Legal Counsel, Bureau of Water (BOW), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).


• Drafts, coordinates and supervises the presentation of regulatory changes for the Bureau of Water (BOW), including statewide hearings concerning such changes.


• Provides advice and consultation for policy decisions regarding Agency involvement with the public and regulated community, and on other matters of administration, organization and policies and procedures.


• Administer the drafting of legislative proposals and assist in the presentation of these proposals relating to water pollution control and public water supplies.


• Confers with members of the public, legislature, and special interest groups concerning the interpretation and applicability of statutes and rules.


• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires (4) four years of progressively responsible administrative work experience.


• Requires graduation from an accredited law school.


• Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience working with the provisions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board’s (“Illinois PCB”) regulations pertaining to water pollution control and public water supplies.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience working with the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and associated regulations.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience developing rulemakings and representing parties at rulemaking proceedings related to pollution control.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience working with regulatory agencies and outside entities in negotiating administrative rules.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of supervisory experience in an office setting.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of practicing in front of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of experience providing legal counsel on permit appeals related to pollution control.


• Prefers at least (4) four years of practicing law in front of administrative bodies and courts of law.


• Prefers experience reviewing and providing legal analyses of proposed legislation in a private or public organization

Conditions of Employment

•  Requires ability to work at various times outside of normal office hours to meet deadlines. 


•  Requires ability to travel occasionally. 


•  Requires a valid appropriate driver's license. 


•  Requires ability to pass a background check.   


•  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 Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.   


•  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.