Environmental Specialist (211647)

Job Description:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Environmental Specialist opening in Topeka. This position reviews and evaluates technical work plans, proposals and reports for completeness, accuracy, and technical adequacy for highly complex projects. Includes analysis and interpretation of complex environmental and other technical data to identify and develop solutions to project specific environmental problems in the state. Acts as project manager on complex, environmentally contaminated sites, and other assigned projects where ongoing investigation and cleanup are occurring. Manages detailed and complicated project budgets for bankruptcy sites and ensures project objectives are attained within the available budget.  Evaluates investigative, monitoring, and general remedial progress to ensure projects are completed within a time frame deemed adequate by KDHE and within time frames established by State law. Interacts with consultants and the public to review, present and negotiate all aspects of project management. Communicate all aspects of project specific management orally with the Unit Manager/Program Coordinator. Communication with the Section Chief and Bureau Director may also be required as appropriate.

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

Coordinates project management with other applicable bureaus and programs within the agency and other governmental or regulatory entities.  Communicate all aspects of project specific management orally with the Unit Chief.  Communication with the Section Chief and Bureau Director may also be required as designated.  Serve as Lead Worker assisting the Unit Chief in providing project guidance, technical oversight, assessment, investigation, remediation of projects for program staff including project managers, scientists, geologists, technicians, and research analysts.  Assist Unit Chief with training of new staff.  Training/assistance responsibilities include general environmental technical training and oversight in addition to training for specific program procedures.  Ensures that appropriate procedures are utilized by all program staff to conduct project oversight, environmental sampling, and general technical procedures are followed such as appropriate well construction, determining appropriate well design, and providing coordination of drilling activities on assigned projects.

Assist Unit Chief, as requested, with various programmatic duties such as developing guidance, drafting policy, chairing, or participating on internal and external committees and work groups, leading meetings, and giving presentations.  Provides reports on project tracking and budget status to Unit Chief or Section Chief as requested.  Prepares and presents programmatic, scientific, or regulatory presentations to various public and industry groups.  Represent the agency/bureau/section/program at public meetings, technical meetings, and workshops including the technical and geologic discussion of data, process, and procedures for assigned projects.  Updates project fact sheets on a quarterly basis (minimum) to characterize progress on projects.  Communicates and provides briefings to Unit Chief, Section Chief, Bureau Director, and other levels of management, as requested.  Follow all appropriate agency/bureau/section/program guidance, policies, and procedures.  Understands and follows the Quality Management Plan and annually reviews such documents.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology, or a related natural science.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental or geology fields.
• Two years of work experience in a field of environmental/agricultural sciences or natural sciences/resources.
• Greater than four years of experience in a position dealing with environmental contamination.
• Good communication skills.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail,
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

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

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

$ $20.05 to $26.31