- Salary: $59,051.20 – $91,083.20 Annually
- Location: Des Moines – 50321 – Polk County, IA
- Job Type: Full-time
- Job Number: 25-01991
- Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Opening Date: 01/17/2025
- Closing Date: 2/10/2025 11:59 PM Central
- LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
- Point of Contact: Travis Baker, travis.baker@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-729-4407
- To Apply: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their 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 (DNR) encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
The Iowa DNR is seeking a passionate and skilled Lake Restoration Specialist (Environmental Specialist Senior) to join our Lake Restoration Program (LRP) and help us fulfill our mission of enhancing Iowa’s natural resources while working with communities and partners to improve water quality. Established in 2006, the LRP improves water quality, habitat, watershed protection, infrastructure, and recreational opportunities at Iowa’s publicly owned lakes. By fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, private landowners, and natural resource professionals, the DNR ensures restoration projects are successful and sustainable. Strong local commitment to protect lakes and watersheds is central to the program’s mission.
Position Overview
The Lake Restoration Specialist is a vital member of the DNR’s Lake Restoration Program team. This role involves advanced professional work supporting lake restoration initiatives across Iowa. The Specialist will lead project implementation, provide technical expertise, and coordinate with stakeholders to enhance water quality and ecosystem health in Iowa’s lakes and watersheds. This position requires a collaborative mindset, strong project management skills, and a passion for advancing the DNR’s mission.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Project Management:
- Lead partners in planning and implementing lake restoration projects.
- Identify and evaluate proposed projects or sites for inclusion in the LRP.
- Collaborate with DNR divisions and external agencies to identify project components.
- Develop project schedules to ensure timely completion of goals.
- Coordinate with DNR’s Engineering Bureau to implement projects, including securing cultural resources permits and managing archaeological investigations.
- Guide local Natural Resource Biologists in identifying restoration opportunities that meet program criteria.
- Assist project partners in assembling technical teams, coordinating assessments, and developing lake improvement plans.
- Evaluate technical accuracy of projects and recommend necessary plans to achieve objectives.
- Prepare technical reports and public materials for diverse audiences.
Program Management:
- Work with the LRP Coordinator to oversee statewide implementation of lake restoration projects.
- Maintain databases and spreadsheets to track phases of past, current, and proposed projects.
- Develop and update statistical and background information for planning and project prioritization.
- Manage contracts and consultant agreements in compliance with procurement policies.
- Respond to inquiries related to the LRP.
Communication and Reporting:
- Organize and participate in public meetings to solicit support for LRP projects.
- Build partnerships with local, state, and federal entities, leveraging resources for LRP initiatives.
- Regularly communicate project statuses with internal and external stakeholders.
- Compile and deliver the annual LRP report to the legislature.
Budget Management:
- Collaborate with the LRP Coordinator to develop five-year and ten-year budgets.
- Maintain programs to track project status, including budget and schedules.
- Lead preparation of project-level budgets and identify alternative funding sources.
The Lake Restoration Specialist role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on Iowa’s natural resources. By improving water quality and fostering strong community partnerships, you will contribute to healthier ecosystems and enhance recreational opportunities for all Iowans. Join our team of dedicated professionals passionate about conservation and environmental stewardship.
Essential Functions
- Assess water quality issues of significant publicly owned lakes
- Read, interpret, and accurately obtain necessary information from scientific reports, search for precedents, and seek out alternative procedures for problems or projects
- Plan and participate in the work of professional and technical assistants in the development of plans and specifications
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with DNR staff, management personnel, and other state and federal agencies
- Develop and foster teamwork
Critical Job Competencies
Accountability: Demonstrates responsibility for actions and decisions.
Integrity: Upholds high ethical standards.
Productivity: Maintains high performance levels.
Communication Skills: Effectively conveys ideas and information.
Team Player: Collaborates effectively with diverse groups.
Interpersonal Skills: Builds and maintains positive relationships.
Self-Management: Organizes and prioritizes tasks efficiently.
Customer Focus: Prioritizes the needs of stakeholders.
Computer Skills: Proficiency in database and spreadsheet software.
Leadership Skills: Guides and motivates teams to achieve objectives.
Technical Expertise: Proficient in aquatic ecology, limnology, and water quality concepts.
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 $64/month for single and $210/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.
- 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.
- Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
- Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).
- Workout/Gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave.
Comments
College or university students that are pending graduation in May 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science are eligible to apply for this position.
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.
Ensure you are kept up-to-date of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from info@govermentjobs.com. This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.
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
054 Biological Sciences
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the study of living organisms. It is broadly defined into zoology and botany.
OR
449 Natural Science
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the sciences collectively that are involved in the study of the physical world and its phenomena, including biology, physics, chemistry, and geology, but excluding social sciences, abstract or theoretical sciences, such as mathematics, and applied sciences.
OR
450 Natural Resources
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of more than one of the following:
- Ecology
- Environmental planning
- Soil conservation
- Biological sciences
- Waste water treatment
- Forestry
- Engineering related to natural resource areas (dams, sanitary engineers, etc.)
- Outdoor recreation planning
- Physical sciences
- River basin planning
- Geography
- Wildlife management
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 a Natural Science and three years of full time professional scientific experience in an environmental program in the areas of water supply, waste water, animal feeding operations, hazardous substances, radiation, sewage treatment, solid waste, geology, history, archeology, flood plain, air pollution, dam safety, or underground storage tanks;
ORan equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required full-time professional work for each 30 semester hours of the required education;
ORan equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting thirty semester hours of accredited graduate level coursework in a Natural Science, history, or archeology for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years;
ORemployees with current continuous experience in the State of Iowa Executive Branch that includes twenty-four months of full-time work as an Environmental Specialist or Environmental Engineer.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.(Download PDF reader)
Employer: State of Iowa
Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesAddress6200 Park Ave STE 200 Des Moines, Iowa, 50321
Website: http://www.iowadnr.gov/
