Description

POSITION GOAL:

The Senior Environmental Engineer leads stormwater compliance efforts for the City of Chicago, ensuring adherence to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This role supports citywide programs managed primarily through the Department of Water Management (DWM) and related agencies, focusing on stormwater quality, regulatory reporting, and infrastructure compliance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•   Ensure compliance with Illinois MS4 permit requirements (ILR40) and evolving IEPA regulations
•   Prepare and submit Annual MS4 reports, Notice of Intent (NOI) documentation, and Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) updates
•   Maintain publicly accessible compliance documentation as required by IEPA and City policy
•   Make recommendations and provide advice on environmental policy standards, regulations, and best practices in compliance with the Clean Water Act; serve as a liaison with state environmental agencies, City departments, and the EPA
•   Lead implementation of the six minimum control measures (MCMs) required under MS4: public education & outreach, public involvement, illicit discharge detection & elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction stormwater management, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping
•   Work closely with Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), Chicago Department of Aviation (O’Hare and Midway MS4 programs), and DOT and AIS projects
•   Support compliance across ~4,400 miles of sewer infrastructure and associated assets
•   Integrate MS4 requirements into capital improvement and green infrastructure projects
•   Review and enforce stormwater requirements for construction sites
•   Ensure developers submit Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) and NOI and permit documentation
•   Coordinate inspections and enforcement actions
•   Perform and oversee hydraulic/hydrologic modeling, system capacity assessments, and BMP and green infrastructure design (e.g., permeable pavements, bioswales)
•   Evaluate impacts to receiving waters and support TMDL-related compliance efforts
•   Oversee stormwater monitoring programs and data analysis
•   Maintain compliance databases and GIS mapping of stormwater systems
•   Track BMP performance and program audits
•   Lead public education campaigns on stormwater pollution prevention
•   Coordinate with regional agencies such as Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
•   Represent the City in regulatory meetings and public forums
•   Recruit, supervise, and mentor junior engineers and environmental staff
•   Manage consultant contracts (e.g., engineering firms supporting MS4 programs)
•   Oversee budgets, schedules, and deliverables for compliance programs

COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to establish measurable goals and track program effectiveness

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or Civil Engineering

Licensure: Professional Engineer (PE) License

Job Classification: Exempt (Salaried)

Report to: Department Head

Experience: 7-15 years of experience in stormwater, wastewater, or environmental compliance

Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Technical Skills: Direct experience with MS4 permits (Illinois preferred), Familiarity with IEPA and federal regulatory frameworks, including NEPA, NPDES, TMDL

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise and mentor junior engineers and environmental staff

Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, walk, stand, reach with hands and arms, stoop or kneel, climb, or balance, talk, or hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects tools or control. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds on occasion.

Working Environment: A general office environment requires long periods of sitting at a computer. The environmental conditions generally include ambient inside temperature, lighting, and noise level. Due to the collaborative nature of this position and accessibility for in-house meetings, it is important that the work may need to be performed in the office and during normal business hours.

Continuing Education: Complete state-required competency. Attend job-related seminars and workshops.

Pay Range: $158,000 - $162,000 per year

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

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Senior Environmental Engineer - MS4 Compliance