Local recruitment: Environmental Specialist

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Topeka, KS, USA 🇺🇸

  • Job ID: 220679
  • Location: Shawnee County
  • Full/Part Time: Full-Time
  • Agency: Dept of Health & Environment

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: May 05, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: May 05, 2026

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.

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

About the Position

  • Who can apply: External (Open to Anyone)
  • 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: 

  • Pay Range: ($25.68-$28.31)

* 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 (K0213666)

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Project Planning, Implementation, and Management: Manage the development and execution of WRAPS watershed projects. During the planning phase of WRAPS watershed projects foster a working relationship with and assist watershed coordinators with the development of project strategies, objectives, timelines and deliverables. During the implementation phase, we monitor progress on project implementation plan (PIP) strategies, deliverables, and adherence to project timelines on a quarterly basis. When project progress is found to be unsatisfactory, work with coordinators to implement corrective actions to ensure projects accomplish WRAPS project objectives. Coordinate with the WRAPS Grant Administrator to review proposed deviations from approved PIPs or to resolve known issues of compliance. Engage with watershed stakeholder leadership team (SLT) as necessary (at least once per year) to provide agency updates, present environmental data or results, and ask questions as necessary. Conduct spot field audits of BMPs to verify environmental results. Ensure data derived from assigned WRAPS watershed projects, i.e., best management practices (BMPs) and metadata (e.g. BMP type, location, cost share amount) are verified as accurate through appropriate quality assurance procedures. 

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

Watershed Planning: When the 9-Element plan of an assigned watershed is due for revision collaboration with a planning team consisting of the WRAPS project manager, WRAPS project coordinator, plan writer, and other stakeholders to ensure the planning process is informed by the most current and scientifically sound environmental data and models. Ensure draft plans are reasonable, scientifically sound, and adequately addresses high priority water quality impairments. Compare final drafts to the 9-Element plan checklist and recommend approval or further revisions. 

General Technical Duties: Utilize WRAPS score matrix to score project performance and prioritize watersheds for funding prior to new grant cycles. Apply education, background experience, and scientific method to investigate water quality impairments, pollution sources, and appropriate mitigation strategies. Apply appropriate technologies such as GIS, R-Project software, environmental modelling programs, and tableau as needed. Collaborate with internal and external staff, partners, and consultants to complete technical projects or scientific investigations assigned by management, requested by watershed coordinators, or SLTs. Present scientific findings to internal and external partners and stakeholders. Participate in field water quality monitoring surveys and projects to collect chemical, physical, and biological data.

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:
    • Four years’ direct experience in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology or related natural science
  • Preferred Qualifications:
    • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
    • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
    • Handheld GPS Unit
    • Experience in water pollution control
    • ArcMap Software
    • Knowledge of water pollution biology, chemistry, and bacteriology of water and wastewater
    • Knowledge of grant best management practices
    • Knowledge of natural science related to environmental control or natural resources
    • Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations
    • Excellent oral and written communication abilities
    • Knowledge of the complex and interrelated principles of watershed management and water quality

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a state job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue – Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information

Name:   Tracey N. Benson

Email:  Tracey.N.Benson@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 in 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 determined 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 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.

6 days remaining

Apply by 5 May, 2026

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development