Environmental Specialist Senior

Overview

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. This position offers the opportunity to use education, skills and experience in a career that offers a compelling sense of mission, better work‑life balance and flexibility, and to contribute directly to the quality of Iowa’s environment.

• Coordinate facility licensing and reporting, retailer permitting and public outreach and education programs for the management and disposal of household hazardous materials (HHM).
• Manage the Regional Collection Center (RCC) Program, providing technical and financial support to RCC facilities that accept and manage HHMs.
• Administer the RCC Establishment Grant Program, handling grant application, review, contract administration, progress and budget reporting, and ensuring new RCCs are constructed and ready for operations.
• Provide statewide technical and administrative support of operating RCCs, serve as a resource for identifying unknown hazardous materials, determine proper management options, conduct period visits, and review reporting to ensure compliance with grant contracts and public service requirements.
• Manage the RCC licensing process, including initial application review, inspections, and modification approvals or denials.
• Provide technical support and training coordination for HAZWOPER‑24 Hour and 8 Hour Refresher Courses for RCC staff.
• Manage the Household Hazardous Materials (HHMs) Retailer Permit program and business assistance for hazardous waste management, coordinating with the Iowa Department of Revenue to ensure compliance and renewal of permits.
• Develop and disseminate HHM educational materials through statewide and local partner education and media awareness campaigns, and present to communities, schools and civic groups.
• Manage the Toxics in Packaging program, ensuring compliance of packaging products, conducting sampling and testing, issuing enforcement notices, responding to inquiries, and providing technical assistance through press releases and media interviews.
• Consult and support Iowa businesses and the regulated public in hazardous waste management, covering waste characterization, handling, storage and disposal in accordance with federal regulations.
• Provide periodic and annual budgeting, compliance and metric progress reporting as required to management, the Iowa Legislature and related state and federal agency partners.

• Analyze, understand and interpret complex environmental regulations and technical information, evaluating principles, techniques and trends concerning hazardous materials and hazardous waste and resource management.
• Communicate professionally, accurately and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Use computer software programs at a moderate to advanced level.
• Travel infrequently for site and customer visits and coordination with other state and federal agency partners.
• Demonstrate initiative, attention to detail in technical work, customer service and team orientation, and ethical conduct.

• Accountability
• High Productivity
• Self‑Management
• Customer Focus
• Interpersonal Skills
• Team Player
• Computer Skills
• Integrity
• Technical Skills (hazardous waste management and regulatory requirements)

• 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.
• Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
• Opportunities for hybrid telework (as…