Agency Marketing Statement

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $600 million in state and federal funds, 7 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,100 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as an Industrial Hygienist in the Division of Environmental Health in Springfield. The selected candidate will perform investigations for indoor environmental and occupational diseases, health hazards, and exposures to toxic substances. The individual in this position will also serve as Occupational Safety and Health Consultant for the Division and support other Programs during airborne infectious disease investigations.

Job Responsibilities

1. Travels to perform technical industrial hygiene investigations and hazard assessments in a variety of occupational, environmental, institutional, and residential settings throughout the state.

• Responds to inquiries, complaints, referrals, or emergencies related to hazardous substances or conditions, such as legionella, mold, SARS-CoV-2, and other emerging pathogens, mercury, metals, pesticides, and volatile organic chemicals, to determine if such conditions pose a danger to human health.
• Coordinates with appropriate local, state, or federal agencies.
• Explains the purpose and scope of the investigation with responsible parties, collects samples or measurements as needed to assess hazards, and discusses findings and recommendations.
• Provides industrial hygiene expertise and support to other Programs and Divisions during airborne infectious disease investigations.

2. Serve as Occupational Safety and Health Consultant for the Division and administers the respiratory protection program.

• Develop, implement, and maintain Division policies, plans, and procedures as needed to maintain compliance with relevant OSHA and NIOSH standards and ensure the safety of employees.

3. Develops technical guidance and educational materials for distribution to employers, schools, health care providers, occupational and environmental health professionals, and the general public.

• Develops formal and informal training based on needs identified during investigations and assessments or as part of outreach and education activities.

Job Responsibilities (cont.)

4. Uses environmental monitoring and sampling devices, including the maintenance, calibration, and operation of direct reading monitors and sampling equipment to assess human exposure.

• This includes the use of air sampling pumps, carbon monoxide detectors, CO2 sensors, mercury vapor analyzers, and SUMMA canisters.
• May perform wipe, swab, or water sampling techniques to determine exposure to environmental and occupational health and safety hazards.
• Collects and submits samples to approved laboratories for chemical and microbiological analysis.
• Analyzes, interprets, and completes calculations on sample results to assess risk.
• Reviews monitoring and laboratory results with the responsible parties and recommends appropriate hazard controls.

5. Develops technical reports documenting the results of investigations and hazard assessments, including sampling methods, sampling results, hazards identified, and corrective action recommendations.

• Reviews, organizes, and retains all field notes, diagrams, and documentation collected during investigations.
• Researches Federal and State OSHA standards as well as applicable industry accepted recommendations and guidelines to ensure the applicable standards are documented in the report.

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree with coursework in industrial hygiene, engineering, physical sciences (physics, chemistry, biological, etc.), environmental or public health, or occupational safety and health.
• Requires three years of professional experience in the industrial hygiene, engineering, or environmental/public health field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers current/active Certification as an industrial hygienist (CIH) or safety professional (CSP).
• Prefers at least 5 years’ experience managing and developing respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and other occupational health and safety programs and procedures.
• Prefers at least 5 years’ experience operating environmental monitoring and sampling equipment, analyzing, and interpreting data, and preparing technical reports.
• Prefers 5 years’ experience responding to infectious diseases in congregate settings or workplaces, including assessing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
• Prefers academic or continuing education training in toxicology or risk assessment.
• One years’ experience in hazardous materials emergency response.
• One years’ experience developing and presenting occupational health and safety training to employers and employees, including traditional face to face and webinars.
• One years’ experience authoring technical guidance documents to improve environmental and occupational health and safety programs.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires use of personal vehicle for extensive work-related travel within the State.
• Requires the ability to pass a medical evaluation, wear a negative pressure respirator and walk for extended periods of time while carrying equipment weighing 15 to 30 pounds.
• Requires possession of a current and valid driver’s license.