Job Requisition ID: 49327
Closing Date: 09/08/2025
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title: LIFE SCIENCE CAREER TRAINEE - 23600
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $4,586 monthly; Full Range $4,586 - $6,228 monthly.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
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.
JOB OVERVIEW
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Field Operations Section, Central Region/Springfield, is seeking to hire a Life Sciences Career Trainee (Option E). The ideal candidate will participate in the training program title for a twelve-month duration participating in working assignments designed to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills within the Field Operations Section, Central Region/Springfield. The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, detail-oriented, comfortable with daily public interaction, and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This position is the entry level for the Agency Environmental Protection Specialist titles.
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.
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 (IN ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE)
- Prefers the ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
- Prefers the ability to benefit from training and continuing education.
- Prefers the ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Requires current and valid driver’s license with the ability to travel.
- Requires the ability to participate in the medical monitoring program.
- Requires the ability to pass a physical examination, which is intended to determine whether a person can wear respiratoryprotection and function in high heat stress situations while wearing chemical protective clothing.
- Requires the ability to wear a respirator or other form of respiratory protection.
- Requires the ability to wear chemical resistant clothing in high heat stress situations while performing strenuous physicaltasks (e.g. carrying equipment up a steep ravine at a temperature up to 100F).
- Requires ability to lift heavy equipment (e.g. 45 pounds).
- Requires the ability of hiking, climbing, wading in streams or getting in/out of boats or swimming in emergency situations toget to sites (as required by OHSA 29 CFR 1910.120).
- This position will be required to complete (within 90 days of employment) and maintain working knowledge of (8-hourannual refresher) and/or certification to ensure position is up to date with laws, rules and regulations to maintain compliancewith IL Department of Labor Occupational Safety Regulations: 40-hour OSHA Training.
- 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 includingscheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
- The conditions 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: 2520 W Iles Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Agency Contact: Chris Steinkruger
Email: Christopher.E.Steinkruger@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-558-1256
Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles. To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission. UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.
This position [DOES NOT] contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
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, so as to protect health, welfare, property and the 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.
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