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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Principal Environmental Scientist
Recruitment #25-20003684-002

Date Opened: 10/10/2025 12:00:00 AM
Close Date: 10/24/2025 11:59:00 PM
Qualification Date: October 24, 2025
Job Type: Original Entrance
Salary: Starting Annual Salary (TAM 18): $130,027.04

How to Apply: Go to http://districtjobs.org to submit an application by October 24, 2025.

Duties: Under general direction, carries out or supervises applied research projects of varied scope in relation to wastewater treatment processes and oversees environmental monitoring activities.

Salary/Pay Plans

The salary listed above is Step 1 in a structured pay plan. At 6 months of employment with the District, the salary will increase to Step 2: $137,274.54. At 18 months, the salary will increase to Step 3: $144,523.60. There are 9 total steps for TAM 18 of the pay plan (view full pay plan). These increases are based on service time in the job classification and require a 'Meets Standard' performance rating.

Original Entrance - Examination

Minimum Requirements: A master's degree in water resources sciences, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, microbiology, bacteriology, biology, soil science, or agronomy from an accredited college or university.  Ten years of experience in the fields of wastewater and sludge treatment technologies, biosolids management, analytical microbiology or water quality monitoring, including one year at a supervisory level. Substitution: Related graduate study above the master's degree may be substituted for the required non-supervisory experience on a year-for-year basis.

Examination: The examination will consist of an oral test, including a written exercise, weighted 100%. Candidates must achieve a passing score to have their names placed on the eligible list.

The oral test will assess candidates' knowledge, skill and ability in areas such as wastewater process evaluation and research; project management principles; managing resources and forecasting future needs; mentoring, developing, and managing personnel; and written and oral communication.

Examination Process: All applicants will be advised by email if they have been admitted to the examination process. Applicants who do not receive a response to their application by Thursday, November 6, 2025 should contact the Employee Selection Office at (312) 751-5100.

ORAL TEST: The tentative dates for the oral test are Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15, 2025. Candidates will be informed by email of the exact date, time and place of the oral test.

The use of books, study guides, cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops or other aids during the test is prohibited.

Original Entrance - Appointments

Appointments will be made from an eligible list with three categories: A (Exceptionally Well Qualified), B (Well Qualified) and C (Qualified). Candidates in the highest category will be given first consideration for appointment. This examination is also being given on a Promotional basis. In instances where both Original Entrance and Promotional eligible lists result from an examination process, it is the District's practice to appoint only from the Promotional eligible list until all names from that list have been considered. The eligible list has a duration of three years.  Appointment is subject to successfully passing a physical examination, a drug test and a criminal history background investigation.