SRF Administration & Compliance Lead

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Professional training opportunities

IPERS retirement system

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking an Environmental Specialist Senior to serve as SRF Leadworker in the Clean Water & Drinking Water SRF Programs. You will direct the work of staff, ensure SRF regulatory compliance, and coordinate IUP/PPL processes to support water infrastructure projects.

The role emphasizes data integrity, reporting, policy research, stakeholder outreach, and cross‑agency collaboration with EPA and other partners to safeguard Iowa's water resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Natural Science and at least 3 years of professional environmental experience.
• Experience managing state or federal regulatory requirements and program administration.
• Ability to direct staff and provide technical leadership as a leadworker.
• Experience with SRF programs, including IUP and PPL processes.
• Strong communication and policy analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct the daily work of two or more employees as leadworker.
• Serve as primary technical contact for SRF requirements.
• Coordinate IUP and PPL tracking and SOP updates.
• Maintain SRF databases and performance metrics.
• Prepare reporting packages and executive dashboards.
• Assist with contract and financial management.
• Research regulations and draft policy recommendations.
• Deliver training and stakeholder outreach.
• Build inter-agency and community partnerships.

Skills

Leadworker

Policy analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Data management

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Training delivery

Interagency collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science

Tools

Project management software

Executive dashboards

EPA reporting systems

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 Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

Environmental Specialist Senior – State Revolving Fund (SRF)

Clean Water & Drinking Water SRF Programs

Help protect Iowa’s water resources and guide vital infrastructure programs while making a lasting difference in communities across the state.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking an Environmental Specialist Senior to serve as a Leadworker within our State Revolving Fund (SRF) program team. This position offers an exciting opportunity to combine environmental expertise, leadworker guidance, strategic support, community engagement, and program administration to strengthen Iowa's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs.

As an SRF Leadworker, you will direct the daily work of technical staff, serve as the primary technical point of contact for SRF statutory and regulatory requirements, and work alongside local communities, state and federal agency partners (including the EPA), and environmental leaders to ensure critical water quality and infrastructure projects move seamlessly from planning through completion.

If you enjoy mentoring team members, managing complex data tracking systems, shaping policy recommendations, solving technical challenges, and seeing water quality projects benefit Iowa communities, this could be the opportunity for you.

What You’ll Do

As an Environmental Specialist Senior and SRF Leadworker, you will:

• Direct work and provide leadworker guidance: Direct the daily work of two or more employees, serving as the primary technical point of contact regarding State Revolving Fund statutory, regulatory, and procedural requirements.
• Serve as primary technical contact & mentor: Resolve complex project-level tracking issues, deliver programmatic training, and compile documentation for Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs.
• Manage project priority lists & intended use plans: Coordinate operational workflows, lead Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) updates, and maintain multi-project tracking for the Intended Use Plan (IUP) and Project Priority List (PPL).
• Maintain database integrity & performance metrics: Manage SRF program database integrity, track critical performance metrics, and prepare comprehensive reporting packages including the Annual Program Report, EPA database submissions, and executive dashboards.
• Provide strategic & contract administration support: Assist with the preparation and evaluation of project contracts, Intended Use Plans, vendor claims, invoices, and annual reports to facilitate efficient program administration and data-driven recommendations for leadership.
• Research regulations & formulate policy recommendations: Research emerging federal and state regulations, draft proposed administrative rules, policy white papers, and program operating plans to guide SRF strategy.
• Deliver training & stakeholder outreach: Develop and deliver programmatic training and guidance for staff, regional partners, local watershed leaders, and environmental stakeholders on SRF requirements and field protocols.
• Build strong inter‑agency & community partnerships: Represent the Iowa DNR at local, regional, and statewide meetings, fostering effective working relationships with state and federal partners (such as the EPA), agricultural and environmental interests, and private‑sector partners.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an environmental professional who is:

• Passionate about Iowa’s natural resources and committed to protecting water quality and water infrastructure statewide.
• An experienced leadworker and technical mentor capable of guiding staff, coordinating operational workflows, and resolving complex project tracking issues.
• Knowledgeable in State Revolving Fund programs, with familiarity regarding Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF regulations, statutory guidelines, Intended Use Plans, and EPA requirements.
• An effective communicator and policy analyst skilled at drafting administrative rules, policy white papers, executive dashboards, and program reporting packages.
• A detailed data manager focused on maintaining database integrity, tracking performance metrics, and preparing accurate state and federal database submissions.
• Organized and self‑directed, with the ability to lead SOP development, manage multi‑project tracking, administer contracts, and meet firm program deadlines.
• A collaborative relationship builder comfortable interacting with state and federal agency partners, local watershed leaders, private‑sector partners, and the regulated public.
• Comfortable embracing technology to maximize efficiency, including database tracking systems, virtual collaboration tools, project management software, and executive dashboard tools.

Make Your Work Matter

At the Iowa DNR, your work can have a direct and lasting impact on Iowa’s water infrastructure, rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and local communities for generations to come. Bring your leadworker skills and environmental expertise to a team that turns strategic plans into action and safeguards Iowa’s water resources.

Essential Functions

• Directs work & technical oversight: Directs the work of two or more employees and serves as the primary technical contact, providing guidance and daily support regarding SRF statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Technical support & project tracking: Resolves complex project‑level tracking issues, delivers programmatic training, and compiles program documentation for Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs.
• Contract & financial management: Prepares, interprets, and manages project contracts, contract administration strategies, vendor claims, invoices, and draft/final product deliverables.
• Database & performance reporting: Manages program database integrity, tracks critical performance metrics, and prepares comprehensive reporting packages including Annual Program Reports, EPA database submissions, and executive dashboards.
• Workflow & IUP/PPL tracking: Coordinates operational workflows, leads Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development and updates, and maintains multi‑project tracking for the Intended Use Plan (IUP) and Project Priority List (PPL).
• Policy & regulatory research: Researches emerging federal and state regulations to formulate policy recommendations, drafting proposed administrative rules, policy white papers, and program operating plans.
• Partner & stakeholder relations: Develops and maintains effective working relationships with staff, state and federal agency partners, local watershed leaders, agricultural/environmental interests, private‑sector partners, and industry professionals.
• Field assessment & physical expectations: Traverses open and/or cultivated fields, rolling terrain, riparian zones, and stream beds as needed during site evaluations.
• Training & advising: Trains and advises staff and regional partners on field assessment protocols, SOPs, and effective watershed and SRF planning processes.

Critical Job Competencies:

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong core values of Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Customer Focus, Team Player, Self Management, Computer Skills, Technical Skills - Natural Resources Planning, Project Management and Problem-solving.

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.

Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status 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.

Government Regulation and Accountability

Applicant should demonstrate a minimum of 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of managing state or federal governmental regulations and implementing accountability provisions.

Financial

6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of the following areas: accounting, auditing, budgeting, economics, or finance.

Grant Writing and Management

6 months’ professional level experience as one of a team or as the sole organizational resource managing the grant program, which includes all of the following: writing grant applications/proposals, managing grant funds, providing technical assistance to sub‑grantees, monitoring grants, and grant performance reporting. Experience must have been a major or dominant function of the job. May also include experience reviewing, approving/awarding, and monitoring others' grant proposals, but this alone does not qualify.

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.

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