Environmental Specialist (213472)
Job Title: Environmental Specialist
Job ID: 213472
Location: Shawnee County
Job Posting Closes: July 24, 2024
Kansas Department of Health and Environment:
Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.
About the Position
- Who can apply: Anyone (External)
- Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
- Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
- Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
- Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
Compensation:
- Hourly Pay Range: $26.30 - $27.63
* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.
Employment Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
- Sick & Vacation leave
- Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
- Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
- Fitness Centers in select locations
- Employee discounts with the STAR Program
- Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Position Summary & Responsibilities
The position (K0231135)
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Environmental Specialist opening in Topeka. The Bureau of Water is looking for a candidate that independently prepares and implements Bureau of Water enforcement actions for the Director of Environment and Secretary of KDHE's signature. Duties will include:
• Develop reports to track and measure non-compliance across permitted NPDES facilities within the state.
• Draft, edit, and review contracts, letters, policies, and legal documents related to NPDES compliance.
• Provide expertise and guidance to field and office staff on identifying and resolving NPDES compliance issues at both permitted and non-permitted facilities.
• Analyze and interpret scientific compliance data and other environmental reports to ascertain if the facts support the issuance of enforcement orders and recommend actions necessary to bring facilities into compliance.
• Read, understand, and interpret State and Federal law regarding NPDES compliance.
• Provide scientific basis to make final decisions of a technical nature regarding the identification of specific compliance problems and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide technical and scientific advice and consultation to the KDHE legal department in developing appropriate monetary penalties and corrective actions for violations of State and Federal NPDES rules and regulations.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Oversees and independently prepares and implements Bureau of Water enforcement orders for the Director of Environment and Secretary of KDHE's signature. Independently determines recommendations for enforcement action to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Provides expert scientific technical advice and consultation to KDHE legal department, determines appropriate monetary penalties and technical environmental requirements as allowed by the Penalty Guidance document, standard practice, and Kansas Law. Independently provides scientific basis to make final decisions of a technical nature regarding the identification of specific compliance problems and recommends corrective actions. Oversees field and office investigations and makes professional observations and judgments necessary to identify adverse health effects on human, animal, and plant life associated with environmental pollution. Manages and independently determines the need for, and arranges for, the collection of special samples, analyzes results, and makes recommendations as to the direction of further enforcement actions. Reviews and provides professional scientific recommendations on specific federal, state, or local laws, regulations and policies pertaining to wastewater control facilities. Independently negotiates legal settlements and Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). Responsible for legal research and conducts complex legal work for the Bureau of Water compliance and enforcement unit. Manages, develops, and assembles the documents supporting the Bureau of Water environmental enforcement actions. Manages and develops the witness and exhibit list for hearings and keeps witnesses informed of on-going negotiations and works with the KDHE Legal personnel in preparation of witnesses and scientific documents and acts as a scientific expert witness for the Division of Environment in cases that go to hearing or court. Uses advanced technical knowledge of state and federal requirements for environmental compliance in wastewater. Independently analyzes and interprets scientific compliance data and other environmental reports to ascertain if the facts support the issuance of enforcement orders and recommends actions necessary to bring facilities into compliance.
Assists at the annual operator’s school as moderator and speaker. Develops special reports from the Oracle and KEIMS databases upon request, etc. Cooperates with law enforcement personnel to enforce laws, rules, and regulations. Investigates potential violations and issue warnings or citations; apprehends violators; interviews violators and witnesses; secures evidence; prepares evidence and testifies in court concerning the state’s environmental wastewater pollution issues.
Qualifications
Education:
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis in biology, chemistry, geology, or a related natural science.
Licensing & Certification:
- Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis in biology, chemistry, geology, or a related natural science.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in environmental, agricultural, chemical, biological, or natural sciences/resources.
- Three years of professional experience in the study and resolution of environmental problems.
- Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations concerning water pollution.
- Knowledge of water pollution biology, chemistry, and bacteriology of wastewater.
- Good technical writing skills.
- Ability to multi-task daily.
- Drafting, editing, and reviewing contracts, letters, policies, orders, and other documents.
- Excellent research, writing and organizational skills.
- Preparing legal documents.
- Responsible for managing the orderly gathering of evidence and advising legal counsel.
- Analyze data and make recommendations to solve specific problems.
- Analyze federal laws, rules, requirements, and guidelines.
- Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Word Perfect.
Recruiter Contact Information
- Name: Ashley Webb
- Email: Ashley.webb@ks.gov
- Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612
- Please include the Job ID number when emailing.