Senior Environmental Research Technician

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: $87,085.70. At 18 months, the salary will increase to Step 3: $92,749.02. There are 9 total steps for TAM 13 of the pay plan (view fullpay plan). These increases are based on service time in the job classification and require a 'Meets Standard' performance rating.

Probationary Period:
The probationary period for this classification is one year (250 days worked).

Veterans' Preference:
Veterans' Preference points will be added, in accordance with the District statute, to the scores of those candidates who attain a passing score in all phases of the examination. Veterans' Preference claim forms can be obtained through the District's website, by clicking here, or requested at the test site. An employee who receives a promotion from an eligible list on which he or she received Veterans' Preference points will not be eligible for Veterans' Preference points on any future promotional examinations.

Hiring and Employment Objectives:
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is committed to hiring and employment practices that base employee selection on a candidate's knowledge, skill and ability to perform effectively on the job; provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants; prohibit the entry of political reasons or factors and other improper considerations into any stage of the selection and hiring processes;

and create a transparent, honest and fair hiring system.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D

Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with applicable laws. Requests for testing accommodations are to be made within one week after the close of the filing period. For information regarding accommodation for individuals with disabilities, phone  (voice) or  (TTY).

Duties:
Under supervision, performs a variety of technical duties associated with the collection and analysis of field and laboratory data. Provides general oversight of field and lab activities related to wastewater, surface water monitoring, biosolids processing and soil science.

Promotional Requirements:
One year of service with the District as a Laboratory Technician or Environmental Research Technician. Civil service status in one of the foregoing classes.

Examination:
The examination will consist of a written test weighted 90%, an efficiency rating weighted 5% and a seniority rating weighted 5%. The minimum passing score on the written test will be 70% unless determined otherwise by the Director of Human Resources. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test to have their names placed on the eligible list.

The written test will assess candidates' knowledge, skill and ability in areas such as operation of basic laboratory equipment; field sampling equipment for wastewater treatment operations; basic and applied chemistry, biology, and wastewater operations; field and laboratory safety principles and practices; and supervisory concepts.

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 Friday, October 9, 2026, should contact the Employee Selection Office at .

WRITTEN TEST:
The written test will be administered on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th Street, Chicago, IL.

Candidates should report at 9:00 a.m. with the approved (printed) admission letter and driver's license or other form of photo identification. Calculators will be provided. The use of books, study guides, cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops or other aids during the test is prohibited.

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. The eligible list has a duration of three years.