Environmental Compliance Specialist I

About the role

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. We are one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service, and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. This role supports our commitment to sustainable growth, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship by ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Schedule sampling for all systems at the appropriate times and assist operators and managers with sampling issues.
• Record and monitor test results on Excel spreadsheets or appropriate databases; contact the state to correct any discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with sampling requirements by reviewing chain of custody forms, checking sample codes, and working with labs to ensure complete and accurate paperwork for each sample; track sample results.
• Ensure that all monthly and quarterly samples are collected and review test results for compliance; report any exceeding amounts to responsible departments.
• Draft compliance reports and compile data for reports, including field data.
• Organize and track compliance work for inclusion in reports; issue work orders and schedules for additional compliance work.
• Plot and graph data, and track compliance.
• Review inspection reports and regulatory correspondence; share information electronically and draft response letters.
• Issue work orders for compliance repairs.
• Meet with operators and managers to discuss inspection reports; work with engineers and managers to draft responses.
• Prepare and maintain sampling plans, including monthly bacteriological, lead and copper, disinfection by-products, and others for all systems; update sample sites as needed.
• Collect flow and pumping data from groundwater wells to ensure compliance with all applicable permits.
• Communicate urgent information to supervisors, operators, and customers regarding water quality inquiries.
• Serve in an advisory/training capacity toward plant staff on sampling and proper test procedures to ensure compliance.
• Coordinate and oversee environmental programs, including water and wastewater sampling programs at assigned states.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA/BS Degree required (Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Sciences degree preferred).
• 2-4 years of related water/wastewater operations or compliance-related experience preferred.
• Experience working with databases and computerized maintenance management systems preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal customers.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and on multiple projects simultaneously; adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team-fostered, multitasking environment.

Schedule

• Based in the Glenview office (4263 Commercial Way, Glenview, IL 60025).
• Some travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents, approximately 1 day (8 hours) per week.
• After a 90-day probationary period and subject to manager approval, eligible to work from home on Tuesdays and Fridays per current company policy.

Working Conditions

Perform sedentary work—exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.