Environmental Compliance & Regulatory Specialist (216159)

Job Title: Environmental Compliance & Regulatory Specialist 

Job ID: 216159 

Location: Shawnee County

Job Posting Closes: April 10, 2025

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: $22.16 - $24.48

* Salary can range 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 (K0242336)  

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Storage Tank Section is seeking a friendly and positive-minded candidate to fill our Environmental Compliance & Regulatory Specialist position in Topeka, KS. This position is an entry-level position that would be perfectly suited for someone looking to start their career in the environmental field, as well as a more experienced candidate looking for a career change. This position works a 40-hour work week Monday through Friday but would be eligible to work from home for up to two days per week after the first six months of employment.

KDHE provides employees with a friendly work environment and opportunities to grow their career in the environmental field. KDHE also provides State benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as retirement accounts. 

This position acts as the lead worker for the administration of the KDHE Storage Tank Enforcement Policy. This position works closely with KDHE legal staff in drafting of enforcement actions for underground storage tank (UST) facilities that are out of compliance with state and federal regulations and keeps track of the status of these enforcement actions. This position also acts as the compliance manager for a specific set of UST facilities to review permitting and compliance paperwork and issue permits once all violations have been corrected. This position communicates daily with the regulated community to assist them with tank compliance and permitting issues. This position acts as the backup lead worker for processing new UST installations and organizing UST permit renewal applications. Multiple training opportunities are available to fortify the applicant's technical abilities.

Conducts detailed reviews of inventory control and release detection records at facilities for permitting purposes or if the primary means of release detection has failed, or increased scrutiny is required for the detection of small-scale releases, or other special circumstances.  If the primary method of release detection has failed, completes such reviews within 10 working days of receipt of inventory control and release detection records.  Permits site according to requirements for regulations and compliance items.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:   

Act as a lead worker for the administration of the KDHE Bureau of Storage Tank Enforcement Policy. This entails research of applicable state and federal regulations, as well as scientific and technical reports to determine compliance and subsequent course of action for violations; holding enforcement meetings with industry; work closely with KDHE legal staff in drafting of enforcement actions such as Administrative Orders (AO) and Consent Agreements and Final Orders (CAO); develop and maintain the database used for tracking of enforcement actions to ensure compliance with state and federal storage tank regulations is restored.

Qualifications

Education:  

• High School. GED

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:

• Two years of experience in an environmental field and/or program. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in environmental, agricultural or natural sciences/resources.
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• Public Speaking
• Experience in working with state or federal UST regulations, along with experience with UST and AST
• Technical Writing
• Database Experience

 Post Offer Qualifications: 

• Within the first year of employment, the incumbent must pass a physical exam that certifies the individual can work in the necessary protective gear.

Recruiter Contact Information

• Name: Ariana Paige
• Email: Ariana.Paige@ks.gov 
• Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612 
• Please include the Job ID number when emailing. 

Job Application Process:  Only applications submitted within our State of Kansas Careers Portal will be considered. 

• First Sign in or register as a New User at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs 
• Complete or update your contact information on the State of Kansas Careers Portal > My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed for each specific job posting. 
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions."