State of Illinois

LIFE SCIENCE CAREER TRAINEE

State of Illinois  •  $57k/yr  •  Collinsville, IL (Onsite)  •  13 hours ago
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Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 56077
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
Closing Date: 06/10/2026
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Class Title: LIFE SCIENCE CAREER TRAINEE - 23600
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: Spanish
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/26) $4,747 monthly; Full Range $4,747 - $6,446 monthly.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Williamson; Madison
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:

Work Location: 2309 W. Main Street, Marion IL.
Work County: Williamson

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.

Work Location: 2309 W. Main Street, Marion IL.

Posting Identification Number 56077

Life Science Career Trainee - Spanish Speaking

(For informational purposes only: Targeted title- Environmental Protection Specialist I Req #56078)

***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*

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.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land (BOL), Land Pollution Control, Field Operations Section is seeking a motivated Life Sciences Career Trainee – Spanish Speaking (Option SS).

This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging professional to begin their career in environmental protection. The selected candidate will participate in an agency-sponsored training program lasting six to twelve months. During this time, you will gain hands‑on experience through structured assignments designed to build knowledge, skills, and practical understanding across key life sciences and environmental protection disciplines within the Southern Region – Marion Unit. As a Life Sciences Career Trainee, you will take on progressively challenging responsibilities across a wide range of departmental activities, developing the foundation needed to advance into a professional environmental career with the State of Illinois.

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 in conducting routine field inspections/investigations of hazardous and solid waste management and disposal facilities and remediation sites for the Field Operations Section (FOS), Bureau of Land (BOL), Southern Region/Marion.
  • Receives training to assist in providing for the Region Manager’s close review.
  • Receives training to provide information (verbally or in writing) on relevant environmental matters to facility owners/operators, the public, governmental agencies, and others outside the Agency.
  • Receives training to assist with collecting water, soil, and waste samples to substantiate violations and/or determine the extent of contamination.
  • Attends and participates in meetings and keeps current on relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to waste management in Illinois.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or required, which are reasonably within the scope of duties.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires a bachelor's degree in some field of the life sciences.
  • Requires the ability to communicate verbally and written in Spanish at a colloquial level with Spanish-speaking clients.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

  • Prefers the ability to prepare comprehensive written and oral reports.
  • Prefers the ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Prefers the ability to profit from training received in the designated area of state government.
  • Prefers the 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 Office Software.

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires the ability to pass a name-based background check.
  • Requires a valid and current appropriate driver’s license, and the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overtime and overnight stays as appropriate.
  • This position will be required to be complete (within 90 days of employment) and maintain a working knowledge of (8-hour annual refresher) and/or certification to ensure the position is up to date with laws, rules, and regulations to maintain compliance with IL Department of Labor Occupational Safety Regulations: 40-hour OSHA training.
  • Requires ability to pass a physical examination, which is intended to determine whether a person can wear respiratory protection and function in high heat stress situations while wearing chemical protective clothing and participating in the medical monitoring program.
  • Requires ability to use an agency-issued cell phone.

Conditions of Employment (Continued)

  • Requires ability to wear a respirator or other form of respiratory protection and wear chemical-resistant clothing in high heat stress situations while performing strenuous physical tasks (e.g., carrying equipment up a steep ravine at temperature up to 100F).
  • Requires ability to carry and utilize a self-contained breathing apparatus (weighing approximately 25 pounds).
  • Requires ability to lift heavy equipment (e.g., 45 pounds).
  • Requires ability to hike, climb, wade in streams, get in/out of boats, or swim in emergency situations to get to sites (as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120).
  • Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and training to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry-related topics to the job duties.

Work Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday 1 hr lunch
Work Location: 2309 W. Main Street, Marion IL.
Work County: Williamson

Agency Contact: Joe Mercier

Email: joseph.mercier@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-2361


Posting Group: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program. General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Title Descriptions There are three categories of UMP titles: 1) certificate titles which require passing a written proficiency exam; 2) credential titles which require the possession of a specified college degree and/or licensure; and 3) dual titles for which a certificate may be earned by following either the certificate or credential pathway.

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.

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.

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:

State of Illinois

About State of Illinois

The government of Illinois, under the Constitution of Illinois, has three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch is split into several statewide elected offices, with the Governor as chief executive, and has numerous departments, agencies, boards and commissions. Legislative functions are granted to the General Assembly, composed of the 118-member House of Representatives and the 59-member Senate. The judiciary is composed of the Supreme Court and lower courts.

The government of Illinois has numerous departments, agencies, boards and commissions, but the code departments, so called because they're established by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, provide most of the state's services:

Department on Aging

Department of Agriculture

Department of Central Management Services

Department of Children and Family Services

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Department of Corrections

Department of Employment Security

Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Department of Human Rights

Department of Human Services

Department of Juvenile Justice

Department of Labor

Department of the Lottery

Department of Natural Resources

Department of Public Health

Department of Revenue

Department of State Police

Department of Transportation

Department of Veterans' Affairs

Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Unknown
Year Founded
Unknown
Website
illinois.gov
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