Engineering Trainee/Engineering Associate/Professional Environmental Engineer (211663)

Job Description:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Engineering Trainee/Engineering Associate/Professional Environmental Engineer opening in Topeka. Under general supervision of the Solid Waste Landfills Unit Chief, the incumbent reviews and evaluates a list of landfill facilities’ permit applications that include the more complex Subtitle D landfills and other complex facilities.  The incumbent reviews engineering design plans and reports, operation plans, construction quality assurance plans and reports, and closure and post-closure cost estimates for annual permit renewal for compliance with the Kansas Solid Waste Statutes and Regulations. If a facility’s permit documents are deficient, advises the Permittee of the deficiencies, prepares comments, and issues a timeline for satisfactory completion of the permit documents. When deficiencies are corrected, approves the documents.  Reviews engineering design drawings, operation plans, and construction quality assurance plans for coal combustion residual (CCR) projects.  Assists in providing training and oversight of work performed by new employees in the Solid Waste Landfills Unit.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

References the most current design plans to check and review annual updates of closure and post-closure cost estimate worksheets and estimated life worksheets for financial assurance. Checks the nForce Solid Waste Database to ascertain whether the Solid Waste Hydrogeologic Unit has a consent agreement and addendum exempting owners of closed facilities from post-closure financial assurance. Participates with internal and external engineering managers in representing the agency at meetings, hearings, training seminars, and conferences with the public, the regulated community, organizations, consultants, local government officials, and other state or federal agencies. Assists in preparing and conducting training seminars for field staff and the regulated community.

Ensures the proper filing of permit documents into the nForce Database and ImageNow archival system. Organizes documents entered in new files. Organizes existing files when file reviews are conducted. Places engineering drawings and reports in appropriate file locations. Uses proper file etiquette, including out cards. Files items in a prompt manner. Communicates file needs with administrative staff.  Assists with record management, including archiving and rearranging. Coordinates with administrative staff on external requests for file reviews. Enters appropriate information into electronic databases. Reviews inspection reports and associated records (as routinely circulated) and communicates with appropriate department staff to provide additional information or request more information if necessary. Provides technical assistance to compliance staff as requested. Takes calls from the public and forwards complaints to the Compliance and Enforcement Unit. Identifies potential health/environmental concerns when observed and communicates those issues to appropriate department staff. Prepares letters of warning, when warranted, for supervisor’s concurrence and section chief’s signature.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education (for all positions):

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Licensing & Certification:

• Valid Driver’s License – Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver’s license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.

Engineering Trainee Position

• Working towards obtaining an intern engineering certification while in position

Engineering Associate Position

• Engineer in Training or Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate recognized by the Board of Technical Professions

Professional Environmental Engineer Position

• Professional engineering license recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Any additional skills, experiences, or qualifications that would be beneficial, but aren’t strictly necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering/Chemical Engineering.
• Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering/Chemical Engineering.
• One year of experience in engineering work, particularly with landfills or environmental regulations. Experience in reviewing Engineering Plans and Reports.
• Attention to detail when reviewing Engineering Plans and Reports.
• Land Surveying, Soils Engineering, Storm water Management, and Solid Waste Management regulatory experience.
• Experience in writing letters and emails using correct English and protocol and reviewing and editing documents using Microsoft Word.
• Experience in solid waste landfill design.
• Good written and oral communications skills.
• Working with and having knowledge of Kansas Solid Waste Statutes and Regulations.
• Technical writing.
• Reading, reviewing, and evaluating engineering plans in detail.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Engineering Associate Position – Engineer in Training or Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate recognized by the Board of Technical Professions
• Professional Environmental Engineer – Incumbent is required to maintain a professional engineering license while in the position.

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

Engineering Trainee – $30.48 per hour

Engineering Associate – $33.58 per hour

Professional Environmental Engineer – $84,870.24 annually

* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

 How to Apply:

Specific instructions for applying, which might include submitting a resume, cover letter, list of references, or completing an online application.

• Please include the Job ID number when emailing.

Job Application Process:  Only applications submitted within our State of Kansas Careers Portal will be considered.

• First Sign in or register as a New User at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs
• Complete or update your contact information on the State of Kansas Careers Portal > My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed for each specific job posting.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

–  Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

–  Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

–  Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Contact Information:

[email protected]

Salary Range

$ $30.48 to $40.80