Waterways Inspector

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance;

monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

This position exists within the Waterways Section of the Office of Water Quality of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. This position is responsible for administering the 401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC) & the State Regulated Wetland Program.

Staff in this job do the following:

• Perform compliance inspections to follow-up on violations and investigate complaints and determine their applicability to program priorities. Prioritize and follow-up on complaints and, where necessary, complete an investigation.
• Conduct mitigation site inspections and compliance inspections to assess compliance with the conditions of a Section 401 Water Quality Certification or State Regulated Wetland Permit requirements.
• Track compliance milestones.
• Prepare technical and inspection reports, violation letters, and enforcement referrals. Use templates and Agency databases to administer the program.
• Use applicable laws, regulations, and technical expertise to administer state regulatory programs, including Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program (401 WQC) and the State Regulated Wetlands (i.e. Isolated Wetlands) Program and communicate with the public.
• Review applications for federal permits or licenses to ensure that permitted activities comply with state water quality standards.
• Provide internal and external consultation and training on permit requirements and technical wetland principles and theories.
• Prepare presentation materials and conduct outreach in response to public requests and program priorities.
• Determine the applicability of complaints to program priorities. Prioritize and follow-up on complaints and, where necessary, complete an investigation, update the complaint, and, as appropriate, issue an inspection report.

This position requires a valid IN driver's license.

This position can report to a variety of IDEM locations including Brownstown, Indianapolis, Petersburg, South Bend, or Valparaiso.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Serves as an environmental expert and provides guidance to regulated communities, government officials, attorneys and staff responsible for a variety of programs and program elements.
• Project Management:
  Performs project management duties to ensure effective and timely management of program area needs, attends meetings, and responds to telephone calls, e‑mails, etc., as required. Acts as a technical point‑of‑contact for assigned programs administering environmental programs which may include, but not limited to, environmental media sampling, data analysis, technical writing, work plan and report preparation, technical reviews, etc.
• Permits:
  Researches state and federal guidance, laws, and regulations related to permits. Contacts applicants to request additional information to process applications, when necessary. Responds to comments from applicants, defends permit terms and…