Water Supply Permit Writer

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance benefits start after 30 days

9 paid holidays/year

IPERS retirement program

Job summary

The Water Supply Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist) at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in Des Moines protects public health by issuing and managing Water Supply permits under SDWA. The role evaluates water quality data, issues NOVs when needed, and provides technical assistance to water systems and officials across Iowa.

Responsibilities include reviewing monitoring schedules, ensuring compliance with MCLs and reporting, and preparing required documents such as CCRs and ACRs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural science or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience interpreting federal and state drinking water rules and policies is preferred.
• Ability to draft professional technical documents in English with clarity.

Responsibilities

• Drafts, issues, modifies, amends, or revokes Water Supply Operations permits.
• Reviews and communicates federal and state laws, rules, and policies clearly.
• Writes professional technical documents with proper spelling and grammar.

Skills

Accountability

Attention to Detail

Communication Skills

Computer Skills

Team Player

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural science

Tools

SDWIS

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

The Water Supply Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist) within the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Bureau plays a vital role in protecting Iowa’s public drinking water systems and safeguarding public health. Located at the 6200 Park Ave facility in Des Moines, Iowa, this full‑time position administers the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) under state delegation pursuant to Code of Iowa Chapter 455B and Iowa Administrative Code Chapters 567-40, 41, 43, & 44.

The primary responsibilities of this position center on drafting, reviewing, issuing, modifying, and amending operation permits for Public Water Supplies (PWSs). These permits ensure that all public water supplies operate under valid authorizations that comply with federal SDWA requirements, State rules, established policy, and commitments outlined in the State/EPA Enforcement Agreement and EPA Work Plan. The specialist carefully reviews monitoring and reporting schedules to ensure parameters, compliance timelines, and special conditions are accurately assigned while actively managing permit workloads.

In addition to permitting duties, the specialist routinely evaluates water quality and compliance data. On a daily basis, the position reviews analytical lab results from PWSs to monitor compliance with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), health advisories, treatment techniques, and general monitoring schedules. When deficiencies occur, the specialist issues formal Notices of Violation (NOVs), outlines public notification obligations, monitors open compliance issues, and coordinates with water systems and local field office staff to restore compliance promptly. For persistent or acute non‑compliance, the specialist compiles referral packages recommending formal legal action.

Providing direct technical assistance and outreach is another core component of the role. The specialist educates and assists PWS owners, operators, consultants, and public officials on drinking water regulations, technical requirements, and strategies to improve technical, managerial, and financial capacity. The specialist also contributes to the development, review, and revision of state drinking water rules, policies, and standard operating procedures, and presents technical information to water operators and communities water supplies.

To execute these functions, the specialist manages environmental data across several database platforms, primarily inputting, tracking, and retrieving information within the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the Iowa Drinking Water Data Portal. The role routinely uses Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace applications to draft technical documents, manage public records, process data requests, and prepare mandatory reporting such as Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and the Annual Compliance Report (ACR).

Essential Functions:

• Drafts, issues, modifies, amends, or revokes Water Supply Operations permits.
• Reviews, interprets, and effectively communicates information about federal and state laws, rules, regulations, standards, guidance, and policies.
• Writes professional technical documents in English using proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
• Communicates clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, technical information, regulatory requirements, department policies, procedures, and guidance to public officials, industrial professionals, and others.
• Analyzes and interprets data to reach conclusions and provide recommendations.
• Present information to technical, professional, and public groups across the state.

Critical Job Competencies:

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong core values of Accountability, Attention to Detail, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Focus, High Productivity, Interpersonal Skills, Integrity, Problem Solving, Project Management, Self-Management, Team Player and Technical Skills (Water Supply Operations and Drinking Water 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).
• 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.

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 a 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.