Local recruitment: TMDL Engineer

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Polk County, IA, USA 🇺🇸

  • Salary: $61,110.40 – $94,806.40 Annually
  • Location: Des Moines – 50321 – Polk County, IA
  • Job Type: Full-time
  • Job Number: 25-00946
  • Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Opening Date: 10/17/2024
  • Closing Date: 11/8/2024 11:59 PM Central
  • LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
  • Point of Contact: Lori McDaniel, lori.mcdaniel@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-423-6485
  • 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 and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.   

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a qualified and motivated Environmental Engineer to support the development, implementation, and oversight of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, also known as Water Quality Improvement Plans. This position plays a critical role in addressing water quality issues in impaired water bodies throughout Iowa. The Environmental Engineer will apply a variety of technical, analytical, and collaborative skills to assess pollution sources, develop TMDLs, and facilitate compliance with state and federal water quality regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. TMDL Development:
    • Develop and prepare TMDLs for impaired water bodies under the guidance of the Senior Environmental Engineer and supervisor.
    • Compile and analyze physical, chemical, and biological data related to pollutant sources and watershed characteristics.
    • Utilize advanced watershed and water quality models (SWAT, WASP, QUAL2K, STEP-L) and ArcGIS for data assessment and modeling.
    • Apply knowledge in pollutant transport, hydrology, water quality monitoring, agricultural engineering, and related sciences to finalize TMDLs.
    • Facilitate the submission of assigned TMDLs to the EPA for review and approval.
  2. Technical Review and Process Improvement:
    • Conduct technical reviews of draft TMDLs prepared by other DNR staff or third-party contractors.
    • Collaborate with TMDL team members to develop and improve standardized protocols for the TMDL program, including creating and updating the TMDL Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP), and Data Quality Assessment protocols.
  3. Project Planning:
    • Develop detailed TMDL Project Plans to outline the process for creating TMDLs for assigned water bodies.
    • Collaborate with Water Monitoring staff and other TMDL team members to design monitoring and assessment plans for specific water bodies.
  4. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Participate in internal meetings, work groups, and advisory committees to advance departmental and program goals.
    • Represent the Iowa DNR and the state in meetings with local stakeholders, watershed groups, and the public to address water quality concerns and TMDL-related projects.
    • Prepare and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences, including local and state-level stakeholders, and participate in public outreach initiatives.
  5. Training, Conferences, and Professional Development:
    • Attend national and regional meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions relevant to job duties, within budgetary constraints and with supervisory approval.
    • Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in water quality improvement, environmental regulations, and TMDL best practices.
  6. Regulatory Compliance and Policy Development:
    • Assist in reviewing and interpreting state and federal laws, rules, and regulations to ensure the TMDL program aligns with Clean Water Act requirements.
    • Collaborate with section staff to review and comment on proposed federal regulations impacting watershed improvement and water quality initiatives.

Essential Functions

  • Compiles, analyzes, and models data related to pollutant sources, watershed characteristics, and water quality to support the development of TMDLs.
  • Develops TMDLs by integrating data, model outputs, technical expertise, and relevant training to address water quality impairments.

Critical Job Competencies
Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Work, Customer Focus, Communication Skills, Self-Management, Interpersonal Skills, Project Management, and Technical Skills – TMDLs.

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.
•             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)
•             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.

Comments:
Experience with GIS is required.

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.
 
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.

Selectives

762 Water Resources
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of surface and ground water resources including the following: • Surface water hydrology • Ground water hydrology • Hydraulics • Water resources engineering • Natural resources conservation engineering • Water supply engineering • Water quality engineering • Erosion and sediment transport • Surface or ground water chemistry • Watershed dynamics • Limnology • Stream or wetland ecology The Water Resources selective is distinct from the Water Supply, Waste Water, Water Quality, and Chemistry selectives in that the Water Resources selective applies to the management, engineering, and quality analysis of surface and groundwater resources in the natural environment rather than the processing of water in a waste water or drinking water treatment plant or the analysis of water samples in a laboratory.

AND

007 Agricultural Engineering 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both including knowledge in one or in a combination of the following areas: machinery and power systems, structural design, mechanical analysis or ventilation, and climate control.

OR

097 Civil Engineering 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or more of the following: • Survey crew • Construction inspector • Professional civil engineer Must be able to read blueprints, plans, and/or specifications.

OR

182 Environmental Engineering 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of engineering that is centered on the technology concerned with the reduction of pollution, contamination, and deterioration of the surroundings in which humans live.

OR

973 Limnology Six months’ experience or nine semester hours in a combination of limnology, aquatic ecology, or other water science coursework that provide the applicant with the following: • Knowledge of the chemical constituents and physical properties of freshwaters. • Understanding of the ecology of lotic and lentic ecosystems and basic familiarity with the aquatic plant and animal groups of these ecosystems. • Ability to summarize and interpret water quality data from lotic and lentic systems

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical, or Public Health Engineering;

ORLicensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners.

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 ResourcesAddress6200 Park Ave STE 200
Des Moines, Iowa, 50321

Website: http://www.iowadnr.gov/


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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