Environmental Engineer - Middle Cedar Watershed

State of Iowa; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

IPERS retirement system

Deferred compensation with state match

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) seeks an Environmental Engineer for the Field Services Bureau. The role covers edge-of-field infrastructure field survey work, design, construction observation, and training of field staff across the Middle Cedar Watershed.

Responsibilities include QA/QC of plans, permit submissions, and coordination with IDALS, NRCS, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Travel is required; background checks will apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical or Public Health Engineering.
• Valid Iowa Driver’s License or ability to obtain one.
• Professional Engineer licensure is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform field survey work and site assessments for practice installation.
• Review preliminary designs with landowners, technicians, and engineers to ensure specifications.
• Assist with permits including US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 and DNR permits.
• Review construction bidding documents and assist with pay requests.
• Provide technical training and guidance to field staff on data collection and survey techniques.

Skills

Field survey

Site assessments

QA/QC

Construction coordination

Stakeholder communication

Technical training

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental/Civil/Engineering

Tools

Blueprint reading

Survey equipment

Permitting processes

Job description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

The approximately 345 employees of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) are responsible for a wide range of programs that affect the quality of life of every Iowan. Both Iowans living on the farm and those in our towns and cities are impacted almost daily by the work of the Department.

IDALS seeks to fill the position of Environmental Engineer in the Field Services Bureau. This position will serve as an environmental engineer charged with edge-of-field infrastructure field survey work, practice design, construction observation, and technical training of field staff. Candidate hired will need to possess a valid Iowa Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one and must possess a degree in engineering. This is a full-time position working in the Middle Cedar Watershed (Franklin, Butler, Grundy, Black Hawk, Tama, Benton or Linn County). See additional selective requirements.

Duties of the selected candidate will include, but may not be limited to:

Under direct supervision of IDALS Environmental Engineer Seniors, this position will provide engineering and technical support for the installation of conservation practices and programs supported through the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

• A. Perform field survey work and associated site assessments to verify site suitability and in preparation of practice installation.
• B. Attend meetings with landowners, technicians, and engineers to review preliminary design to ensure specifications are met.
• C. Provide quality assurance and quality control with respect to project plans and specifications furnished to IDALS by engineering consultants.
• D. Assist with development and submittal of information needed for various permits, including US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 and DNR Floodplain and Water Storage permits. This includes cultural resources assessments needed to expedite permitting processes and potential modification of designs depending on potential findings.
• E. Assist with review of construction bidding and contracting documents, attend pre-bid meetings and bid openings associated with water quality consulting engineer pay requests.
• F. Perform periodic site visits during construction and assist with processing of contractor and consulting engineer pay requests.
• G. Provide review of other edge-of-field practices and provide technical assistance to watershed coordinators and environmental specialists, and technicians who are collecting field data for those projects.
• H. Visit completed sites in need of repairs or non-routine maintenance. Work with landowner and contractor to recommend appropriate remedy and ensure work is completed correctly.
• I. Provide training and guidance to technicians, SWCD employees, and environmental specialists on field data collection and survey techniques necessary for design and installation of water quality infrastructure practices infrastructure projects supported by IDALS.

Coordination and Communication with IDALS, NRCS, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Function is to coordinate and communicate effectively and efficiently with IDALS and Partner Agency staff on a regular basis with regards to progress, issues, suggestions for improvement and other items as needed in support of the position duties and work priorities.

• A. Participate in bureau staff meetings and communicate regularly with DSCWQ staff to provide work duties task updates and other duties as appropriate.
• B. Provide regional basin coordinators, field representatives, and DSCWQ staff with written communication of requests for assistance, and issues with completion of tasks as appropriate.
• C. Assume shared responsibility for ongoing commitment and positive reinforcement among project coordinators and other IDALS staff.

Job offer will be subject to satisfactory completion of a federal background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

Please note that this position requires travel as part of the regular job duties.

As an employee of IDALS you are a State of Iowa employee and eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Low out of pocket, high quality family medical insurance as low as $187.00 per month, single as low as $56.00 per month
• Dental insurance is free for single and $45.00 per month for family coverage
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, voluntary supplemental life for an additional cost, and long term disability insurance at no cost
• Exceptional retirement package includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan
• In addition to IPERS a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month
• Paid leave includes – 9 holidays, sick, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave

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.

182 Environmental Engineering:

6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of engineering that is centered on the technology concerned with the reduction of pollution, contamination, and deterioration of the surroundings in which humans live.

097 Civil Engineering:

6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or more of the following:

• Survey crew
• Construction inspector
• Professional civil engineer

Must be able to read blueprints, plans, and/or specifications.

007 Agricultural Engineering:

6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both including knowledge in one or in a combination of the following areas: machinery and power systems, structural design, mechanical analysis or ventilation, and climate control.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical, or Public Health Engineering;

Licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners.