- Salary: $54,350.40 – $81,972.80 Annually
- Location: Des Moines – 50319 – Polk County, IA
- Job Type: Full-time
- Job Number: 26-03441
- Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Opening Date: 06/19/2026
- Closing Date: 7/6/2026 11:59 PM Central
- LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
- Point of Contact: Eric Wiklund, eric.wiklund@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-630-9970
- To Apply: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a resume and cover letter to the online application.
Job Description
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 is seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Environmental Specialist to join our Water Quality Bureau’s Onsite Wastewater Program. This position plays a vital role in protecting Iowa’s groundwater and surface water resources by overseeing and implementing the state’s onsite wastewater treatment and private sewage disposal programs.
This position will assist with the implementation of the Department’s onsite wastewater treatment programs. This includes implementing the statewide Iowa Time of Transfer (TOT) program, as well as assisting with the implementation of the Septic Pumper licensing and NPDES General Permit No. 4 for onsite wastewater discharges. In this role, you will also serve as a technical resource to county environmental health specialists, industry, and the public regarding private sewage disposal standards and issues, and the onsite wastewater assistance program.
Time of Transfer: This position will provide training, testing and certification of TOT inspectors and implementation of the TOT database, provide guidance to sanitarians, inspectors, realtors and homeowners with TOT questions, and conduct reviews for waiver requests.
General Permit No. 4: You will work with county environmental health professionals to maximize participation of this regulatory requirement as well as conduct training sessions for onsite systems’ effluent testing, statewide web-based onsite system database, and on septic land application inspections.
Septic Pumper Licensing: You will manage the contracts with counties to conduct inspections of commercial septic tank cleaner’s equipment and land application sites including technical assistance, inspection training/oversight and invoice payments.
Essential Functions
- Review Time of Transfer inspections for accuracy and compliance with Chapter 69.
- Review, approve, deny or request modifications to commercial septic tank cleaner license applications.
- Draft, issue, reissue, modify, amend or revoke NPDES general permit authorizations for on-site wastewater treatment systems.
- Review and interpret federal and state laws, rules, regulations, standards and guidance, policies, etc. and effectively communicate them orally and in writing to the public.
- Compose, at a professional technical level, memos, reports and project summary documents including referral documents and case histories.
- Communicate clearly and concisely in-person and virtually, and make oral presentations to technical/professional and lay groups.
Critical Job Competencies
Action-oriented/high productivity; Communication Skills; Accountability; Customer Focus; Critical Thinking Skills and Reasoning Skills; Attention to Detail; Team Player; Self-management; Passion for the Work; Planning and Evaluating Skills; Computer Skills; Integrity; Interpersonal Skills. Technical Competency – Water Resources, Public Health
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
For more information about this program, check out the DNR’s Private Sewage Disposal and Septage webpage
The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected tobe 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.
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov
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.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a 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.
Employer: State of Iowa
Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Address: 6200 Park Ave STE 200 Des Moines, Iowa, 50321
Website: http://www.iowadnr.gov/
