Job Responsibilities

40%  1. Receives training for a period of six to twelve months duration to gain knowledge in conducting lake assessment activities for the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program and Ambient Lake Monitoring Program to support activities in the Harmful Algal Bloom Coordination Unit, Surface Water Section, for the Division of Water Pollution Control/Bureau of Water:

• Learns basic knowledge and understanding of the Agency’s HAB Program.
• Learns to conduct HAB related education, training, and monitoring coordination with Agency staff to identify, monitor, assess, and control HABs.
• Learns to act as Agency HAB liaison with other local, state, and federal agencies and organizations (e.g., Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Public Health, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S Army Corp of Engineers, Illinois Lake Management Association, Univ. of Illinois, lake associations).
• Assists in maintaining and regularly updates the Agency’s HAB website.
• Learns to coordinate HAB activities with the Agency’s Division of Laboratories.
• Participates in the ordering and inventory of HAB equipment and supplies.
• Learns to compile HAB Program annual reporting results and performs other related program functions.

30%  2. Learns about various lake monitoring and assessment activities as required by the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA):

• Learns about Unit activities related to the Agency’s development of biennial integrated reports required by Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and 303(d).

(Job Responsibilities continued)

• Assists Agency staff and/or contractors to conduct Ambient Lake Monitoring Program and HAB monitoring in a timely, comprehensive manner.
• Learns about the design and implementation of expanded biological monitoring (e.g., macrophyte, phytoplankton, macroinvertebrate) and assessment programs using federal technical guidance manuals.
• Performs physical activities including lifting equipment weighing up to 60 lbs., operating small watercraft, and swimming.
• Travels in performance of duties.

15%  3. Learns to conduct inland lake database management and manipulation activities using various computer-related systems and applications:

• Learns to utilize Excel, Access, GIS, and other database software applications to capture, store, retrieve, assess, statistically analyze, and visually map spatially referenced data for a multitude of purposes.

10%  4. Presents a positive public image on behalf of the Agency, while learning to provide effective oral communication and presentation of technical lake and watershed data to both technical and non-technical audiences (e.g., State Lake Association Conference, public speaking requests):

• Learns to work effectively with co-workers in a team environment to author and present concise and well-structured written technical reports and fact sheets.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

05%  5. Performs other duties as required of assigned, which are reasonable with the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a bachelor's degree in some field of the life sciences.
2. This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Requires ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
2. Requires ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
3. Requires ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government.
4. Requires ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees and agency representatives.
5. Requires the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and presentation software.
6. Prefers Bachelor of Science degree with specific coursework (15-17 semester hours) in aquatic or environmental biology, limnology, ecology, or closely related environmental science.
7. Prefers experience in utilizing scientific sample collection equipment and established protocols to assess the chemical, physical, and biological condition of surface waters.
8. Prefers experience applying processes and procedures to ensure that data and related information are of sufficient quantity and quality to meet program needs.
9. Prefers experience with the application of database structure, logic, and business rules.
10. Prefers experience with preparing scientific reports of water-resource monitoring.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to travel.
3. Requires the ability to swim.
4. Requires the ability to lift, carry, and transport loads weighing up to 60 pounds.
5. Requires the ability to work under adverse environmental conditions. 
6. Requires the ability to operate small watercraft (e.g., canoe, boats equipped with outboard motors weighing up to 60 pounds, with ability to lift outboard motors) while collecting environmental samples.