Lake And Wetland Scientist (213528)
Job Title: Lake & Wetland Scientist
Job ID: 213528
Location: Shawnee County
Job Posting Closes: July 29, 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: $25.05 - $26.31
* 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 (K0227542)
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a Lake & Wetland Scientist opening in Topeka. The Bureau of Water is looking for a scientist skilled in lake and wetland science, as well as harmful algal bloom management. This position is in office only.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Manages lake and wetland monitoring program in accordance with written quality control requirements, standard operating procedures, and Kansas personnel and travel policies. Prime responsibilities include planning and oversight of program's operation, maintenance and safeguarding of program water quality databases, participating in field sampling and laboratory analytical activities (as needed), training and supervising staff assigned to monitoring program, part or full-time, scheduling site visits and selecting parameter sampling based on historic routines, current budgetary constraints, and immediate strategic need of agency, conducting quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) checks on current and historic data to ensure accuracy of data in representing condition of Kansas lakes and wetlands, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.
Participates in providing technical assistance utilizing knowledge of general limnology, regional algal taxonomy, and algal ecophysiology to assist KDHE environmental health staff, district office staff, and other federal, state, and local officials. Responsibilities include conducting laboratory analytical and algal taxonomic activities, investigating and identifying factors causing taste/odor problems in drinking water supply lakes, and characterizing the ecological and human health risks stemming from toxic algal blooms and related water quality phenomena.
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science with an emphasis on 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:
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology, or a related natural science.
- Two years of experience in a field of environmental/agricultural sciences or natural sciences/resources.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in limnology, biology, ecology, aquatic ecology, freshwater ecology, or closely related field.
- Master’s degree in freshwater ecology or closely related field.
- 5 years applied experience in the supervision of lab and field personnel.
- 5 years applied experience in the development and publication of technical reports.
- 5 years’ experience in aquatic chemistry and biology investigations.
- 5 years’ experience in the management of ambient surface water quality monitoring programs.
- Graduate level coursework and research experience in freshwater ecology or a closely related field.
- Experience with Oracle.
- Quality assurance/control procedures.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Statistical analysis and software.
- Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
- Employee must obtain and maintain Red Cross certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid.
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.