Environmental Specialist Senior

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IPERS retirement package

Insurance benefits

Nine paid holidays/year

Flexible work schedules

Hybrid telework opportunities

Gym/fitness facilities onsite

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a senior environmental specialist in Des Moines, IA, to lead regulatory permitting across the Appliance Demanufacturing, CRT Recycling, and Waste Tire programs. The role requires coordinating facility reviews, ensuring compliance with RCRA and state waste regulations, and guiding stakeholders through permitting processes.

As part of the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites Section, you will oversee regulatory oversight of medical and infectious

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science plus three years of full-time professional scientific experience in an environmental program.
• Equivalents allowed: education + experience substitutions as outlined in the job posting.
• Ability to analyze complex environmental regulations and provide technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Review permit applications and determine approval or denial within regulatory guidelines.
• Issue permits or project approvals in a timely manner and provide regulatory direction.
• Provide technical assistance to regulated businesses, industries and the public; maintain project records and databases.
• Attend statewide and national meetings, conferences and trainings as required and coordinate with field offices.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science

Job description

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an exciting, senior level environmental specialist position available within the Land Quality Bureau, located in Des Moines, Iowa. If you are seeking an opportunity to use your education, skills and experience in career work that offers a compelling sense of mission, as well as a better work-life balance and flexibility, this position offers you the opportunity to contribute directly to the quality of Iowa’s environment.

You will have a key role within the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites Section, with responsibilities for coordinating facility and project permitting for the Appliance Demanufacturing Permit (ADP) Program, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Recycling Program, and the Waste Tire Program, in order to ensure the proper management, processing and recycling or disposal of these waste materials.

The position will also administer the Special Waste Authorization (SWA) Program and will be responsible for providing waste characterization reviews in accordance with U.S Environmental Protection Agency, to determine if the waste is hazardous within the regulatory oversight of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and to then assist the generator or solid waste landfill with direction for proper waste handling and disposal procedures in compliance with state and RCRA waste management regulations. The position will also be responsible for regulatory oversight of medical and infectious waste as required under state authority.

These program and permitting responsibilities include reviewing permit application requests, determining if the applications can be approved or denied, issuing permits or project approvals timely and within regulatory guidelines, and providing technical assistance and direction to regulated businesses, industries and the general public as necessary. Duties require maintaining a record of all submittals, reporting, correspondence, and documentation within project tracking and permit databases, visiting permitted facilities and projects to provide support, guidance and regulatory direction as necessary, and attending statewide and national meetings, conferences and training workshops as required or directed.

This position requires both verbal and written communication, including coordinating with DNR field office staff on project-specific and site issues, meetings with internal and external stakeholders, presentations to industry and stakeholder audiences on program requirements and processes, and providing responses to public inquiries, questions or complaints received related to these waste streams and regulatory management programs.

Essential Functions

This position requires the ability to analyze, understand, and interpret complex environmental regulations and technical information, and to evaluate and interpret principles, techniques and trends concerning the proper management, processing, recycling or disposal of these waste streams. Functions include communicating professionally, accurately and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and the ability to use computer software programs at a moderate to advanced level. Periodic, infrequent travel is required for site and customer visits and coordination with other state and federal agency partners. Must demonstrate initiative, attention to detail in technical work, a customer service and team orientation, and ethical conduct.

Critical Job Competencies

Accountability, High Productivity, Self-Management, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Team Player, Computer Skills, Integrity, and Technical Skills (solid waste permitting and regulatory requirements).

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.


• 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.

(Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage).

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.

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Program Webpage Link

https://www.iowadnr.gov/environmental-protection/land-quality/waste-planning-programs/solid-waste

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 and three years of full time professional scientific experience in an environmental program in the areas of water supply, waste water, animal feeding operations, hazardous substances, radiation, sewage treatment, solid waste, geology, history, archeology, flood plain, air pollution, dam safety, or underground storage tanks;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required full-time professional work for each 30 semester hours of the required education;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting thirty semester hours of accredited graduate level coursework in a Natural Science, history, or archeology for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the State of Iowa Executive Branch that includes twenty-four months of full-time work as an Environmental Specialist or Environmental Engineer.