Life Science Career Trainee

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Materials Management and Compliance Section, Compliance and Reporting Unit, Reporting Subunit is seeking a Life Science Career Trainee (Option E). The ideal candidate will participate in the agency sponsored training program for a six to twelve months duration. This trainee position receives working assignments designed to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills consonant with various professional life sciences career disciplines within the Materials Management and Compliance Section. As a LSCT, you will receive controlled assignments in a broad range of departmental activities with increasing difficulty and responsibility.

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

• Receives training for a period of six to twelve months duration to gain knowledge in and assist with oversight and direction of the Hazardous Waste Management (HWM) program, in the Bureau of Land (BOL), Materials Management and Compliance Section (MMCS), within the Compliance & Reporting Unit.
• Receives training to gain knowledge in and assist with oversight and direction of the Special Waste Management (SWM) program and other routine reports related to both hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
• Receives training to gain knowledge in and assist in responding to both internal and external stakeholders with routine problems related to annual reporting as it pertains to hazardous waste, hazardous and non-hazardous annual reporting, special waste, and PIMW hauling permits, and manifests and the RCRA USEPA manifest database.
• Receives training to gain knowledge and assist in routine technical review of fees remitted to IEPA by landfills and other regulated entities to ensure compliance with applicable state law.
• Receives training to assist higher level specialists in implementation of the State of Illinois’ administration of waste manifest programs as required by state and federal law.
• Attends, observes, and assists in communications with trade and government associations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in some field of the life sciences. 
• This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports
• Prefers ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Prefers ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
• Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel software.

Condition of Employment

• Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers’ license.
• Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• 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.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conference, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics to the job duties.
• Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.

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

Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday 
Work Location: Springfield - 1021 N Grand Ave E 
Agency Contact:  Joe Mercier

Joseph Mercier

Email: Joseph.Mercier@Illinois.gov

Phone #:217-785-2361