Engineering Associate Trainee

Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Kansas; On-site; USD 67,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Fitness centers

STAR program discounts

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking an environmental engineer for the Bureau of Environmental Remediation in Topeka, KS. Roles span from Trainee (Bachelor’s in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Eng) to Associate (Intern PE) to Professional Engineer.

Responsibilities include reviewing soil and groundwater remedial system designs, overseeing startup and inspections, and providing technical and operational support for treatment systems while coordinating with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Four years in engineering education.
• Valid Driver's License required for state vehicle use.
• Associate: Intern engineering certificate recognized by Kansas Board of Technical Professions.
• Proficiency: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Ability to use personal protective equipment.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review technical engineering documents for soil and groundwater remedial systems.
• Provide project management support for remediation system operation and data evaluation.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Four years in engineering

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Job description

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: August 27, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: August 27, 2026

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: KDHE : 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

• Pay Range:
• Engineering Trainee - $32.30 per hour
• Engineering Associate - $35.60 per hour
• Professional Engineer - $43.33 per hour
• 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

Position Summary & Responsibilities

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment is seeking an environmental engineer for the Bureau of Environmental Remediation's Topeka, KS office. Engineers with experience ranging from Trainee (Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering) to Associate (Engineer in Training Certificate) to Professional (Licensed) Engineer will be considered. This engineering position reviews and prepares technical engineering documents relating to soil and groundwater remedial system designs and underground storage tank system designs. Field work includes overseeing and conducting start-up, operating, and post-construction inspections on BER-approved remedial system designs. Project management includes providing technical engineering and operational assistance for the operation of soil and groundwater contamination treatment systems as well as general environmental project management duties. The position works with multiple programs in the bureau, owner/operators, contractors, other regulatory agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders. Strong communication skills are required.

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

• Technical Document Reviews: Review technical engineering documents relating to soil and groundwater remedial system designs to ensure documents conform to state statutes, regulations, bureau policies and priorities, environmental program objectives and sound engineering principles and practices. Prepare technical comments for review by bureau licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) prior to forwarding on to bureau project manager. Technical reviews are to be conducted in a timely and professional manner. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure the preferred interim remedial measure (IRM), corrective action, or final remedy are appropriate for the contamination identified at the site based on geologic conditions, field pilot test results, and approved project Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs).
• Project Management: Provide technical engineering and operational assistance relating to the operation of remediation systems. Evaluate data submittals and make recommendations for optimizing system operation after consulting with supervisor. Recommendations are to be summarized in a technical memorandum for review by the P.E. prior to distribution to bureau project manager and management. Perform other project management duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Four years in engineering
• 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:
    • Engineering Trainee Position
    • Four years of experience in Engineering
    • Associate: Intern engineering certificate recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions.
    • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
    • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
    • Ability to use personal protective equipment
    • Strong communication skills
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Environmental Remediation Systems
  • ArcGIS
  • Trainee: 0-2 years of experience with environmental remedial systems
  • Associate: 2-3 years of experience with environmental remedial systems
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • Must pass a physical which certifies the individual can work in the necessary personal protective equipment. Job does require physical activities involved with the essential functions of the job.
  • Trainee: Staff is to work towards obtaining an intern engineering certification while in the position.
  • 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. A 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 you 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 a 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.

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.