Local recruitment: Water Allocation Engineer

• Date:  Nov 8, 2023
• Location:  Chicago, IL, US, 60601
• Job Requisition ID:  32302
• Agency :  Department of Natural Resources 
• Closing Date/Time: 11/27/2023 
• Salary:   $7,234.00 – $11,031.00 per month  
• Job Type:   Salaried Full Time  
• County:   Cook  
• Number of Vacancies:   1  
• 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  12-64-32302

Position Overview

Under general direction, this position serves as the Water Allocation Engineer for the Lake Michigan Management Program to include allocating Lake Michigan water to municipalities and other users in Northeastern IL in accordance with State law and the U. S. Supreme Court Decree; addresses Great Lake water quantity management issues with other Great Lakes state and Canadian provinces; recommends policy and procedures dealing with engineering, legislation, and management issues.   

Job Responsibilities

1.    Under general direction from the Lake Michigan Programs Section Chief, allocates Lake Michigan water to municipalities and other users in Northeastern Illinois in accordance with State law and a U.S. Supreme Court Decree:

• As a licensed engineer, coordinates and reviews the development and/or review of engineering reports on water supply and resources needs of Lake Michigan water use applicants that balance demands of users with public good for the present and future.
• Examines current overall usage patterns of water resources in the Northeastern Illinois metropolitan area.
• Prepares written interpretative evaluations of projected growth patterns and water supply needs of the area.

2.    Oversees the day-to-day management of water use in the six (6) county area of Northeastern Illinois:

• Assists in developing and implementing accounting procedures to monitor diversion of Lake Michigan water and assists in administering the collection and analysis of data relative to Lake Michigan water diversion.
• Conducts formal Department hearings to gather and review evidence and other technical and planning information to make accurate projections of present and future population and water use and available supply
• Develops and maintain an equitable and economical method for the allocation of available supplies.
   

3.    Coordinate with Federal, State and Local Agencies to develop resources to assists Lake Michigan water allocatees for the reduction of non-revenue water:

• Facilitate issues by providing information of available grants, programs and other local resources.
• Communicates with local communities through phone and email.
• Acquires and updates eligible grants and programs for reduction of issues found in local communities.

4.    Assists the Lake Michigan Program Area Engineer as needed to regulate construction in the water and along the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Illinois and public waters in the city of Chicago.

5.    Recommends policies and procedures dealing with engineering, legislative and management problems:

• Analyzes processes that affect the shoreline and the Illinois portion of Lake Michigan to the Chief of the Lake Michigan Programs Section and the Division Chief of the Division of Resource Management.

6.    Implements all safety rules, practices and policies of the Department and provides the necessary training and direction to ensure compliance.

7.    Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with a degree in engineering.
2. Requires three years or more in progressively responsible administrative experience in the field of engineering.
3. Requires an Illinois Professional Engineer license.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Two (2) years of experience with existing and proposes water supply systems.
2. Two (2) years of experience working with surface and ground water sources.
3. Two (2) years of experience of the changes in rainfall and runoff relationships due to alterations of the hydrologic cycle.
4. Two (2) years of experience of hydrologic accounting procedures.
5. Two (2) years of experience making statistical projections of population and water use and available alternative supplies to assist local and other agencies in developing water conservation programs in water supply systems.
6. Two (2) years of experience using written and oral communication skills communicating effectively with local citizens, private sector consultants and government agency managers.

Employment Conditions

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position.

1. Ability to pass background check.
2. Valid driver’s license.
3. Ability to travel when needed.

Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs.

The Office of Water Resources (OWR) is the lead state agency for water resources planning, navigation, floodplain management, the National Flood Insurance Program, water supply, drought, and interstate organizations on water resources.  Interagency duties include the state water plan, drought response, flood emergency reports, and the comprehensive review of Illinois water use law.  OWR is responsible for construction in the shore waters of Lake Michigan, construction and operation of dams, construction in public bodies of water, and diversion of water from Lake Michigan, and withdrawal of water from three Federal lakes (Shelbyville, Carlyle, and Rend Lakes).  The primary capital activity of the office is in urban flood damage reduction. The office assists units of local government with urban flood damage reduction projects through planning, design, construction, and financial assistance. The urban program also features the acquisition of flood prone homes and businesses.

Work Hours:  Mon. – Fri. 8:00AM- 4:30PM with 1 hr. lunch  
Work Location: IL Dept. of Natural Resources, 160 N LaSalle Street, Suite S-700 Chicago IL 60601  
Agency Contact: 

Vicky Fowler

Email:  Vicky.Fowler@illinois.gov

Phone #:  217-785-5387

Job Family:  Environmental & Natural Resources  

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

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

Nearest Major Market: Chicago