Environmental Compliance Specialist

State-of-Iow; Atlantic (IA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (after 30 days)

Vacation and sick leave

IPERS retirement

Professional training opportunities

Hybrid telework

Job summary

Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking an Environmental Compliance Specialist to conduct on-site inspections and enforce environmental regulations across southwest Iowa from Atlantic. The role emphasizes field inspections, data interpretation, and reporting, with opportunities for training and building regulatory expertise.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in natural science and possess strong communication skills, with readiness to travel and respond to emergencies as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural science or equivalent
• Ability to interpret environmental regulations and guidance
• Proficient in report writing and data interpretation

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site inspections of facilities (e.g., animal feeding operations, water/wastewater facilities, air sources, stormwater, solid waste, underground storage tanks)
• Prepare investigations and communicate findings to stakeholders
• Respond to emergency incidents and assist regulated entities to achieve compliance

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Regulatory knowledge

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural science

Job description

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an environmental compliance specialist position available at the Field Services and Compliance Bureau Field Office 4, located in Atlantic, Iowa. Within this position you will be involved in furthering the DNR’s mission to conserve and enhance our natural resources by providing environmental compliance assistance and enforcement throughout the southwest Iowa region. College or university students that are pending graduation in May of 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science are eligible to apply for this position.

After training, you will be tasked with conducting on-site inspections of regulated facilities, including animal feeding operations, public water supplies, wastewater treatment plants, air pollution sources and control equipment, storm water permitted facilities, solid waste disposal sites, and underground storage tank facilities. You will become adept in understanding state regulations, scientific principles, facilities, geography information systems, and environmental sampling and interpretation of scientific data. Additionally, you will be trained to address emergency response incidents and complaint situations as they arise. In turn, your role as an environmental compliance specialist will assist and direct regulated facilities to achieve compliance with environmental regulations.

This position requires both verbal and written communication, including preparing reports of investigation, meetings with internal and external customers, e.g., regulated parties, federal, state, county, and local officials, environmental professionals, and your fellow team members.

Essential Functions:

Applicants must be able to develop a working knowledge of DNR environmental regulatory programs, policies, and procedures; must have the ability to use computer software programs at a moderate to advanced level. Must have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, technical information, regulatory requirements, department policies, procedures, and guidance to public officials, industrial professionals, and others, sometimes within situations that may be difficult or confrontational.

Must have the ability to work outdoors and withstand physically demanding work, including traversing rough terrain and stream banks and activities such as stooping, climbing ladders, and bending and lifting up to 25 pounds. Must possess or obtain a valid driver's license and have ability to travel frequently during the work week with occasional overnight stays. Must be able to respond 24/7, on-site for emergency response calls during occasional periods when on emergency response duty.

Critical Job Competencies:

Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Customer Focus, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Self-Management, Technical Skills: Environmental compliance/regulations/rules

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).

Comments:

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.

https://www.iowadnr.gov/about/environmental-field-offices

https://youtu.be/HKZcWDtoKXs

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.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in natural science; 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. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.