Local recruitment: Bureau of Water Director

• Job ID: 217098
• Location: Shawnee County
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Agency: Dept of Health & Environment

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: July 4, 2025

Required documents uploaded by:  July 4, 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. 

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law.  For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9.   KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

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
• Sponsorship:  KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

Compensation: 

• Annual Pay Range: 90,000-$100,000

* 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

Position Summary:    

The position (K0229671)

Plans, organizes and directs the State’s water quality program through the Bureau of Water’s programs and administrative unit.  The sections are organized by sector including Municipal, Industrial, Watershed Monitoring and Assessment, Geology, and Drinking Water.  Directs the activities of these sections and the administrative unit; and coordinates activities with other programs to assure conformance with general policy, efficiency, and avoiding duplication. Provides leadership for the Bureau of Water and serves as a Department representative at hearings, meetings, and through association and professional activities.  Administers the Bureau including providing general program direction assignments to section managers, supporting career development, stimulating productivity, setting performance standards and evaluating section chief’s performance, and providing a creative work environment.

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

Oversees and establishes general guidelines and procedures for the administrative, technical operations, and activities of the Bureau.  Oversees development of state policy for all programs within the Bureau’s seven sections and presents the policies, plus comments on state and federal legislation, to legislative committees, impacted interest groups, associations, local government, and other state and federal agencies.  Determines bureau staff needs and oversees preparation of the bureau budget and regularly reviews expenditures.  Oversees the procurement of federal program funding, both for internal agency operations but also for funds which are passed through to local governments.  Negotiates with EPA regarding program priorities and direction for work and expenditures.  Expected to handle liaison activities with EPA Region 7 program staff.  This liaison activity is to be focused on keeping the working relationship with EPA positive and open while still protecting the state’s interest.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree 
• 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 a related field of science or engineering and four years of experience in planning, organizing and directing the work of a department, agency, or program.
• Preferred Qualifications:  
  • Master’s degree in environmental engineering, Geology or Environmental Science
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Four years of management experience with diverse professional and support staff
  • Five years of experience analyzing state and federal legislative proposals
  • Five years of experience with legislative activities, and testimony
  • Five years of experience of state and federal laws and regulations regarding water program

Recruiter Contact Information

Name:    Ariana Paige

Email:    Ariana.Paige@ks.gov

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612 

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• 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”

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers – My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

•  Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”  

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position.  The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job.  Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference 

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person’s eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace.  All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.