Environmental Specialist

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance benefits

Vacation & sick leave

9 paid holidays

IPERS retirement

Hybrid telework

Gym facilities onsite

Employee discounts

Job summary

State of Iowa, Department of Natural Resources, seeks a Water Quality & Beach Monitoring Specialist to support field sampling, lab analyses for HAB toxins, and comprehensive data management for water quality assessments. This role emphasizes safeguarding public health and natural resources through rigorous QA/QC and collaboration with senior staff.

The successful candidate will conduct surface water monitoring, assist with interagency reporting, and participate in program administration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field.
• Experience with water quality sampling and laboratory analysis.
• Ability to operate field equipment in adverse conditions.
• Strong QA/QC abilities and data management.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field sampling for ambient water quality and beaches.
• Perform bench laboratory analyses focusing on HAB toxins and related parameters.
• Assist with data collection, formatting, and synthesis for surface water assessments.
• Collaborate on QA/QC across monitoring programs and site audits.
• Train seasonal staff and assist with SOP development and data summaries.

Skills

Field sampling

Laboratory analysis

QA/QC

Data management

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science

Tools

GIS

Laboratory instruments

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 Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter describing how their work experience and education match the job responsibilities and core competencies.

The Department is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Water Quality & Beach Monitoring Specialist to support our water quality monitoring, lab analysis, and Clean Water Act initiatives. In this role, you will be instrumental in safeguarding public health and natural resources by conducting field water quality sampling, performing laboratory analyses for harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, and ensuring high-integrity water quality data across state water bodies.

The ideal candidate blends strong technical, field, and laboratory skills with administrative capability, quality assurance, and collaborative field leadership. Key responsibilities of the position include:

• Support the Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator and the Section with extensive field work to support the ambient water quality monitoring program, including field sampling at designated waters and beaches.
• Perform bench laboratory analyses focusing on harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins and related water quality parameters.
• Assist the Integrated Report program co-leads with collecting, formatting, and synthesizing data for surface water quality assessments (lakes, rivers, and streams).
• Collaborate with senior staff and supervisors to perform rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) checks across multiple section water monitoring programs.
• Conduct formal site visits and technical audits of contract laboratories to ensure compliance with quality standards and data integrity protocols.
• Support program administration by assisting with training of water quality monitoring seasonal field staff, contract and SOP development, and data summaries.
• Carry out other related programmatic and operational duties as assigned to support the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section.

Essential Functions

• Conduct field work in support of ambient water quality monitoring programs.
• Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions, work on uneven terrain, endure long days in the field with overnight stays.
• Utilize computers, databases, and software products in order to effectively collect and manage water quality data.
• Produces quality work products in a timely manner to effectively communicate science to the general public, both orally and in written work products.

Critical Job Competencies

Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Computer Skills, Self Management Skills, Project Management, and Technical Skills in water quality sampling, field, and GIS.

1. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
2. Must have a valid driver's license.

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

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.

Program Webpage Link https://www.iowadnr.gov/environmental-protection/water-quality/water-quality-monitoring-assessment

Pending Applicants: College or university students that are pending graduation in December of 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in an environmental science and/or related water related degrees are eligible to apply for this position.

Ensure you are kept up-to-date of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from [e-mail]. This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.

DNR Application Tips

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.

Limnology

Six months’ experience or nine semester hours in a combination of limnology, aquatic ecology, or other water science coursework that provide the applicant with the following:

• Knowledge of the chemical constituents and physical properties of freshwaters.
• Understanding of the ecology of lotic and lentic ecosystems and basic familiarity with the aquatic plant and animal groups of these ecosystems.
• Ability to summarize and interpret water quality data from lotic and lentic systems.

Water Resources

6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of surface and ground water resources including the following:

• Surface water hydrology
• Ground water hydrology
• Hydraulics
• Water resources engineering
• Natural resources conservation engineering
• Water supply engineering
• Water quality engineering
• Erosion and sediment transport
• Surface or ground water chemistry
• Watershed dynamics
• Limnology
• Stream or wetland ecology

The Water Resources selective is distinct from the Water Supply, Waste Water, Water Quality, and Chemistry selectives in that the Water Resources selective applies to the management, engineering, and quality analysis of surface and groundwater resources in the natural environment rather than the processing of water in a waste water or drinking water treatment plant or the analysis of water samples in a laboratory. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in 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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.