Agency : Environmental Protection Agency
Closing Date/Time: 07/24/2023
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $4738/Month CBA Language Applies-Full Range $4,738-$6,964/Month
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 2
Plan/BU: RC063
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
Posting Identification Number 27249
***Please upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licenses you possess to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. ***
Note: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency must verify and have proof of higher education and coursework (if applicable) for any degree earned before any offer can be extended.
*Answer all questions thoroughly-DO NOT STATE SEE RESUME*
Position Overview
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is seeking a qualified individual for Information Services Specialist I, Option C position(s) to provide assistance with information management and data analysis tasks of the Information Management and Assessment Coordination (IMAC) Unit, in the Surface Water Section, Bureau of Water, Division of Water Pollution Control, located in Springfield, IL. The ideal candidate will possess strong data analysis, database management, and problem-solving skills to conduct data management and assessment coordination activities to support all Surface Water Section monitoring programs.
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.
Job Responsibilities
35% 1. Provides technical and administrative support for information-management activities related to monitoring and assessment of the resource condition of Illinois surface waters, for the Information-Management and Assessment-Coordination (IMAC) Unit, in the Bureau of Water, Division of Water Pollution Control, Surface Water Section:
- Participates in the management of the flow of surface-water monitoring information, from collection to storage to retrieval, through various computer applications/databases
- Assists with applying, evaluating, and helping enhance the performance of current information systems for tracking, storing, retrieving, and disseminating surface-water monitoring and assessment information in a clear and timely manner
- Applies statistical analysis and data visualization techniques to conduct data analysis as required by the Surface Water Section, including analysis of long-term trends, spatial trends, or location-specific case studies
25% 2. Provides surface-water monitoring and assessment information, associated geospatial information, and related explanatory information to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) staff and non-Illinois-EPA users in a format that facilitates statistical analysis, interpretation, and practical application:
- Develops and maintains working relationships and consults with IEPA staff and non-Illinois-EPA users to determine how to best meet these clients’ information needs
- Assists with coordinating sharing of information among IEPA Bureau of Water staff, as well as between IEPA and other state and federal agencies
- Assists in IEPA Bureau of Water development and maintenance of relational links between surface-water monitoring and assessment information and related geospatial information
- Observes field staff and participates in collection of data, to gain understanding of how and why samples are collected and utilized for analysis for surface-water monitoring and assessment information
- Travels in performance of duties
15% 3. Assists and provides instruction on data related activities to support IEPA staff and other non-Illinois-EPA users:
- Processes and accesses information in various systems including the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Water Quality Exchange/ Water Quality Portal
- Provides related support or instruction on how to access geospatial information closely associated with surface-water monitoring and assessment information
- Assists IEPA staff with downloading data from various systems
(Job Responsibilities continued)
10% 4. Assists in coordinating, reviewing, and problem solving in the transition from older to newer information management and data collection systems, including transition to the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring System and to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Assessment Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Tracking and Implementation:
- Assists and consults with IEPA Bureau of Water or state-agency staff to transfer surface-water information and related geospatial information (e.g., the assessed-stream coverage) into newer, more compatible frameworks
- Assists with the development and maintenance of mobile field data collection applications
05% 5. Assists with coordinating information management and quality assurance/quality control among staff of the Surface Water Section:
- Develops a working relationship with the Bureau of Water’s Quality Assurance Officer and learns to consult, assist and develop systems to improve the overall quality and consistency of surface-water monitoring and assessment information to ensure the reliability of IEPA decisions based on that information.
05% 6. Attends and participates in meetings and keeps current on relevant policies and procedures:
- Attends trainings, conferences, seminars and meetings both internally and externally to the Agency as well as USEPA Region 5 headquarters in Chicago, and outside of the State of Illinois.
05% 6. Performs other duties, as required or assigned, that are reasonably within the scope of duties described above.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of two years of college, with course work in computer science or related fields
2. Or satisfactory completion of an agency sponsored training program.
Specialized Skills
Of the one year of required experience: requires one year of experience conducting statistical analysis of natural resources related data sets; utilizing open-source statistical-analysis software (e.g., R, Python), including performing statistical analyses, and creating data visualizations.; producing detailed scientific reports of water-resource monitoring for diverse audiences; managing databases using database structure, logic, and business rules; utilizing software and new technologies for data collection, automating data analysis and other processes using programs including ArcGIS and other ESRI software (e.g., Survey 123, Field Maps, Story Maps) R, R Markdown, and Microsoft Power Automate.
Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)
- Possession of a master’s degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, or closely related field with graduate level courses in statistics.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in applying processes and procedures to ensure that data and related information are of sufficient quantity and quality to meet program needs.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience performing statistical analysis of natural resource and water quality related data.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in the use of R, Python, or other open-source programs to interpret large data sets and produce data visualizations.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience in applying database structure, logic, and business rules.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience developing web forms for data entry.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience preparing detailed and comprehensive scientific reports of water-resource monitoring.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience speaking to various groups to convey policy, procedures and statistical data information in manner easily understood by diverse audiences.
- Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience interpreting and applying the U.S. federal Clean Water Act and related state regulations that pertain to monitoring, protecting, reporting on, and assessing the resource condition of surface waters.
- Prefers at least one (1) year professional experience acting as a liaison with other state, federal, and local entities involved with water-resource monitoring.
Conditions of Employment
1. Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
2. Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers’ license
3. 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.
4. Requires ability to attend seminars, conference, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies or other industry related topics to the job duties.
5. Requires ability to pass a name-based background check.
Work Hours: 8:30-5 Mon-Fri
Work Location: 1021 North Grand Avenue East, Springfield, IL 62702
Agency Contact:
Kathy Taylor
Kathy.Taylor@Illinois.gov
(217)785-1745
Job Family: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; Environmental & Natural Resources
This position [DOES] contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
The IEPA does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent IEPA employment, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
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, to protect health, welfare, property, and
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.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
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:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com