Engineering Trainee/Engineering Associate/ Professional Environmental Engineer (212509)

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Engineering Trainee/Engineering Associate/Professional Environmental Engineer opening in Topeka. The Bureau of Waste Management is seeking an engineer for the Solid Waste Landfills Permit Unit. The position is responsible for developing a permit program for coal combustion residual landfills and surface impoundments.

In addition to on-the-job training, KDHE offers a positive work environment with flexible work hours, competitive benefits, a team environment, and work life balance. The typical work week is 40 hours.

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

Develop and implement permitting program standards and procedures to conform to the new coal combustion residual (CCR) regulations.  The incumbent will develop a new permit and permit document review process, as well as a new format for CCR permits that includes applicable requirements from state and federal rules, and a general description of the facility and units subject to CCR regulations.  Work with the Technical Support Section to develop state regulations and participate in regulation adoption process and associated meetings with EPA Region 7 and Headquarters.  Determine whether BWM will unilaterally revise state permits to include the federal requirements as allowed by statute or require the companies to submit new applications.   Modify existing public notice procedures if appropriate and develop public participation procedures consistent with adopted CCR rule requirements and current agency policies.

Under general supervision of the Solid Waste Landfills Unit Chief, the incumbent reviews and evaluates coal combustion residual (CCR) landfill and surface impoundments (aka units) permit applications, issues permit following federal CCR permit program requirements. The incumbent reviews permit documents, including engineering design plans and reports, operation plans, and construction quality assurance plans and reports for compliance with the Kansas Solid Waste Statutes and Regulations, including the adopted federal CCR regulations. If a facility’s permit application or 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.  Follows the public notice procedures and prepares responses to any public comments received and requires additional information/changes from the applicant if necessary to address the public comments in a Responsiveness Summary. Subsequently, prepares a permit concurrence package for department concurrence and issues the permit upon approval.   Put new permits and significant modification on public notice and follow new public participation procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Engineering Trainee Position

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Engineering Associate Position

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• Engineer in Training or Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate recognized by the Board of Technical Professions

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 Engineer Position

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

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering.
• Knowledge of power plants and coal combustion residuals, federal CCR regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with co-workers and partners.
• Experience in environmental regulatory programs.
• Experience in development of permits.
• One year of experience in engineering work.
• Experience in reviewing Engineering Plans and Reports.
• 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 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:

Pay Range:

• Engineering Trainee – $30.48 per hour
• Engineering Associate – $33.58 per hour
• Professional 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