Environmental Specialist

Job Description
The position (K0230139) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has in Environmental Specialist opening in Topeka. The Hazardous Waste Permitting Section in the Bureau of Waste Management is hiring an Environmental Specialists to serve as Project Managers to implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action program. These position offers an opportunity to oversee all phases of assessment, investigation, and remediation of environmental contamination. Duties include review of plans and reports related to soil and groundwater contamination, groundwater monitoring systems, and the design and performance of environmental remedial systems. Employees in these positions will collaborate with team members to develop permits, orders, and other documents to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This position will provide a great opportunity for recent graduates as well as experienced environmental professionals. If you want to help protect human health and the environment in a team-oriented setting with an organization that provides a healthy life work balance and great benefits, please consider applying.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Serves as the Project Manager for assigned Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities including active, inactive, and closed facilities that have yet to meet corrective action requirements. Studies complex EPA and state regulations and guidance documents for the RCRA permitting and corrective action processes and applies this knowledge to assigned sites. Research historic information from the site file and other sources and applies this information to future site activities. Coordinates with the Unit and Section Chief and EPA to plan intermediate and long-term goals for corrective action and develop strategies for accomplishing these goals. Coordinates project management with other applicable bureaus and programs within the agency, with EPA, and environmental consultants. Reviews and approves plans for site activities submitted by the site owner/operator and their consultant. Writes memorandums, comment letters, and reports based on the results of meetings, inspections, and reviews of past and present site information to clearly convey details necessary for successful communication of corrective action requirements for the site. Reviews cost estimates for closure and post closure care of sites and assists in determining financial assurance tools are adequate to cover costs.
Writes draft permits and administrative orders for agency review and concurrence to establish enforceable corrective action requirements. Performs a detailed review of RCRA Part A and B permit applications to ensure all required elements of the application are complete. During the development of permits and orders coordinates with KDHE legal staff and the site owner/operator and their consultant as necessary. Ensures that requirements of final permits and orders are met and consults with management and legal staff as necessary on non-compliance issues to determine what actions are required to ensure compliance.

Takes a lead role in the development of groundwater monitoring and remediation systems based on knowledge of hydrogeologic conditions and contaminant properties. Reviews and approves groundwater monitoring and sampling plans, and remediation system designs. Maintains working knowledge of industry technology and applies this knowledge to the selection of monitoring and sampling plans and remedial system selection for the site. Independently evaluates sampling data to detect and monitor contaminant plumes and compares data to risk-based standards and local land uses to identify contamination that poses a human health or environmental risk. Interprets specialized scientific data to identify and develop solutions to complex environmental problems with little supervision. Uses mapping and other software to develop maps, tables and figures to depict contamination plumes, sources areas and contaminant concentrations.
Ensures public participation requirements are met for all assigned sites. Prepares public notices for publication and responds to public comments received during public comment periods. Provides guidance to site owners and their consultants to ensure they fulfill their public participation requirements. Conducts or participates in public information meetings to present information on site status. Serves as the KDHE contact for agency and external inquiries related to assigned projects.

As assigned by the Section or Unit Chief, assists with special projects that support the success of the Hazardous Waste Permit Section. Examples of special projects include developing procedural or technical guidance documents; participating on teams to help other project managers resolve unique site challenges; assisting with the development and maintenance of spreadsheets and databases to track section performance metrics; preparing reports, graphics, or other materials to respond to special Section, Bureau or Departmental needs.

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.

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Geology, Earth Science, Natural Science or Environmental Studies
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• Strong oral communication skills including public speaking
• Strong written communication skills
• Experience using spreadsheets and databases to create tables, figures, graphs
• Experience writing and reviewing complex technical and policy guidance
• Experience performing human health and environmental risk assessments
• Experience sampling soil and groundwater and interpreting laboratory analytical reports
• Experience in project management of environmental remediation sites
• Experience in RCRA permitting, corrective action and other environmental regulations
• Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations
• Experience in the management of environmental projects
• Experience writing and reviewing complex technical and policy guidance documents
• Experience writing and reviewing complex technical and policy guidance documents
• Two years of experience in a field of environmental/geology/natural science
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements: After employment, as part of a Medical Surveillance Program implemented in accordance with OSHA’s HAZWOPER requirements, the employee will be required to receive an annual physical to ensure adequate fitness to utilize personal protective equipment that may be necessary to perform certain essential duties of the position. The cost of these physicals will be covered by KDHE.

Salary Range

$ 25.05 to 27.61