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Environmental Specialist

Job Description
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an environmental specialist position available within the Solid Waste & Contaminated Sites Section, located in Des Moines, Iowa. In this position you will be involved in furthering the DNR’s mission to conserve and enhance our natural resources by providing environmental compliance oversight, direction, and assistance to land owners and responsible parties for the investigation and remediation of hazardous substances and contaminant releases.
 
After training, you will serve as a project manager for assigned sites under the regulatory authority of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response and Compensation Liability Act (CERCLA) for both Superfund and Brownfield sites, and relevant state regulations for hazardous condition releases impacting Iowa’s soils and groundwater within Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 567-131, 133, 135, and 137. Duties may include administrative, technical or field activities to be conducted under these authorities. Project management includes evaluation of reports concerning environmental contamination for determination of the existence of significant risk to human health or the environment, directing regulated parties to conduct additional site investigation when needed; and, in some cases directing the mitigation of contamination posing excessive risk. 
 
Under some circumstances it may be necessary for the position to manage or assist in site assessment by the department using department staff, resources and field investigation and sampling equipment; this fieldwork may include use of the department's Geoprobe© as well as other specialized sampling equipment for the collection and analysis of soil, soil vapor, and groundwater samples. Fieldwork may also be conducted for the purpose of monitoring consultants/contractors.
 
This position requires both verbal and written communication, including preparing reports of investigation, meetings with internal and external customers, e.g., regulated parties, federal, state, county, and local officials, environmental professionals, and your fellow team members.
 
Job duties will also include participation in planning and program development activities, process improvement, and identifying and engaging in approved training activities for technical and job duty enhancement, as well as additional duties assigned by the supervisor.
 
Essential Functions
Understand, interpret and carryout environmental laws, rules, policies, guidance, and procedures regarding contaminated sites programs; use computers and database computer software products at moderate to advanced levels for the purposes of data management and generating documents, reports, and data charts; effectively and accurately communicate, both verbally and in written work products, complex technical processes in terms understandable by the general public; develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other state and federal agencies, industry professionals and consultants, and the general public; periodic travel in-state and out-of-state for fieldwork, training, and attendance at meetings, including occasional overnight stays; perform environmental assessment field work, which may involve negotiating of rough terrain while carrying equipment in varied weather conditions. The candidate will be required to successfully complete the 40-hour EPA health and safety training in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), as well as annual refreshers, and will be required to participate in annual medical monitoring, including physical and periodic stress test.  

Critical Job Competencies
Competencies: Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communications Skills, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Self-Management, Computer Skills, Customer Focus, Technical Skills (environmental contamination)
 
What You Get From Us:
•       A competitive pay plan and rewarding work. 
•       Flexible schedules and opportunities for hybrid telework for a portion of the work week (as approved by supervisor).
•       Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment. 
   (Premiums can start as low as $56/month for single and $187/month for family coverage).
•       Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
•       Nine paid holidays/year.
•       Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
•       Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
•       Professional training opportunities.
•       Family friendly and professional work environment.
•       The State’s total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information. 
 
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
 
What We're Looking for in You!
Describe in your application materials how you demonstrate the Critical Job Competencies, can perform the Essential Functions, and have education/experience transferable to the Job Description. 
 
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their DAS on-line application. 
 
Iowa DNR Mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in natural science

OR

an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental, radiation control, environmental health or food sanitation program for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).