Salary: $50,731.20 – $76,502.40 Annually
Location: Des Moines – 50313 – Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-01688
Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 11/13/2023
Closing Date: 11/27/2023 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact: Carmily Stone, [email protected], 515-681-3548
To Apply: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a resume and cover letter to the online application.
Job Description
Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application to demonstrate how your qualifications and experience best fit the critical competencies, essential functions and job duties of this position.
The DNR is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the role of Environmental Specialist within the Water Supply Engineering section for the Water Use Program. This position is based in Des Moines, Iowa, and offers a unique opportunity to play a vital role in the management and regulation of water use and allocation in the state of Iowa.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following job duties:
Water Use & Allocation Program and Permitting:
- Manage, coordinate, and implement the reporting of annual water usage and water level reporting data for all permit holders, ensuring compliance with the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC).
- Manage, coordinate, and implement the annual water use fee payment program, which includes maintaining the database, sending invoices, reconciling payments, and ensuring compliance with the IAC.
- Review and issue water use permit renewals for all permit holders, including maintaining the database, notifying permit holders of the need to renew, and ensuring compliance with the IAC.
- Manage, review, and issue “minor” and “major” water use permit modifications.
- Actively train and promote permit holders to manage their permits online using the Water Allocation Compliance & Online Permitting (WACOP) database.
- Facilitate water use permit database linking, permit terminations, and permit transfers.
- Manage and update all water use program forms as needed.
- Respond to written and phone requests for permits and water use program information.
- Maintain and improve accurate contact information for all permit holders in WACOP.
- Continuously improve and plan new water use reporting and annual fee processes.
Private Well Administration:
- Assist in the implementation of and manage well plugging forms.
- Reconcile payment vouchers from county public health programs in the Private Well Tracking System.
- Make appropriate edits and corrections in PWTS as requested by county staff.
- Fulfill requests for private well program information from county staff.
- Maintain, edit, and create all private well program forms.
- Assist in the development and keep the Private Well Program Website up to date.
- Respond to private well program questions by phone, email, or other means.
- Work closely with county public health and sanitary staff to ensure private well program implementation.
National Ground-Water Monitoring Network Grant:
- Manage the application and development of the grant.
- Implement the strategies outlined in the grant to meet its goals.
- Develop partnerships as needed to ensure the successful development and implementation of the grant.
Other Water Supply Engineering Section duties, as assigned:
- Contribute to special projects, including but not limited to water allocation, private wells, and construction permitting programs.
- Create and deliver water allocation or other program presentations.
- Attend professional trainings and meetings.
- Attend department and section meetings to collaborate with colleagues and stay updated on relevant developments.
Essential Functions
1. Facilitate and Coordinate Annual Water Usage Reporting:
Organize and oversee the process of annual water usage reporting for more than 3,300 water use permit holders.
Verify and reconcile mathematical reporting units for accuracy.
Enter verified data into the database.
2. Facilitate and Coordinate Annual Use Fees Management:
Manage the annual use fee collection process for over 3,300 water use permit holders.
Thoroughly review and verify fee data to ensure precision.
Accurately input fee data into the database.
3. Water Use Permit Renewals Management:
Review and issue Water Use Permit Renewals in adherence to Iowa Administrative Code guidelines.
Maintain open communication with permit holders, providing necessary notifications to ensure their information is accurate and up-to-date.
Offer guidance and training to permit holders to enable online management of their permits using the water use program database.
4. Well Plugging Records Management:
Develop and implement an effective system to manage well plugging records.
Communicate and disseminate program information to private well stakeholders.
5. Water Use and Private Well Program Forms:
Prepare, revise, and maintain water use and private well program forms to ensure accuracy and compliance.
6. National Ground-Water Monitoring Network Grant Development and Implementation:
Take a lead role in the development and execution of the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network Grant.
Critical Job Competencies
Competencies: Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Player, Communication Skills, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Self-Management, Computer Skills, Leadership Skills, Technical Skills: Health and Safety
What You Get From Us:
• A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
• Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment. (Premiums can start as low as $61/month for single and $205/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.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Flexible schedules and opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by supervisor).
• Family friendly and professional work environment.
• Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling).
For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their DAS on-line application.
The DNR seeks to hire individuals who wish to support our mission, which is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organization, to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.Selectives
966 Environmental Science 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment and the solution of environmental problems.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).
Agency: State of Iowa
Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Address: Wallace State Office Building
502 E 9th St, 4th Floor
Des Moines, Iowa, 50319
Website: http://www.iowadnr.gov/
