Environmental Specialist

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Environmental Specialist to join our Water Quality Bureau’s Onsite Wastewater Program. This position plays a vital role in protecting Iowa's groundwater and surface water resources by overseeing and implementing the state’s onsite wastewater treatment and private sewage disposal programs.

This position will assist with the implementation of the Department’s onsite wastewater treatment programs. This includes implementing the statewide Iowa Time of Transfer (TOT) program, as well as assisting with the implementation of the Septic Pumper licensing and NPDES General Permit No. 4 for onsite wastewater discharges. In this role, you will also serve as a technical resource to county environmental health specialists, industry, and the public regarding private sewage disposal standards and issues, and the onsite wastewater assistance program.

This position will provide training, testing and certification of TOT inspectors and implementation of the TOT database, provide guidance to sanitarians, inspectors, realtors and homeowners with TOT questions, and conduct reviews for waiver requests.

You will work with county environmental health professionals to maximize participation of this regulatory requirement as well as conduct training sessions for onsite systems’ effluent testing, statewide web-based onsite system database, and on septic land application inspections.

You will manage the contracts with counties to conduct inspections of commercial septic tank cleaner’s equipment and land application sites including technical assistance, inspection training/oversight and invoice payments.

• Review Time of Transfer inspections for accuracy and compliance with Chapter 69.
• Review, approve, deny or request modifications to commercial septic tank cleaner license applications.
• Draft, issue, reissue, modify, amend or revoke NPDES general permit authorizations for on-site wastewater treatment systems.
• Review and interpret federal and state laws, rules, regulations, standards and guidance, policies, etc. and effectively communicate them orally and in writing to the public.
• Compose, at a professional technical level, memos, reports and project summary documents including referral documents and case histories.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in-person and virtually, and make oral presentations to technical/professional and lay groups.

Action-oriented/high productivity;
Communication Skills;
Accountability;
Customer Focus;
Critical Thinking Skills and Reasoning Skills;
Attention to Detail;
Team Player;
Self-management;
Passion for the Work;
Planning and Evaluating Skills;
Computer Skills;
Integrity;
Interpersonal Skills. Technical Competency - Water Resources, Public Health

• 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.

For more information about this program, check out the DNR’s Private Sewage…