Geology Trainee (212161)

Job Description:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a Geology Trainee opening in Topeka. This position reviews and evaluates complex work plans, proposals and reports for completeness, accuracy, and technical adequacy. Provides technical guidance for complex, highly specialized projects in the storage tank section requiring advanced professional experience. Includes analysis and interpretation of complex scientific and other technical data to identify and develop solutions to complex environmental problems. Acts as project manager on assigned projects in the storage tank section where ongoing investigation and cleanup is occurring. Evaluates investigative, monitoring, risk based corrective action 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 and/or the program. Prepares scopes of work and bid documents for remedial action at Storage Tank sites. Coordinates all activities of bidding and fulfillment of bid requirements with contractual services unit. Interacts with consultants to ensure completion of work under contract. Manages and evaluates project costs for effective remediation and efficient use of state funds.

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

Acts as the State Time & Materials monitoring and free product recovery coordinator. Prepares scopes of work for bid purposes and renewals for continued remediation of monitoring sites and sites where free product is ongoing. Assists Unit Leader, as requested, with various programmatic duties of the storage tank section. This may include developing guidance, drafting policy, chairing, or participating on internal and external committees and work groups, leading meetings, giving presentations, representing the agency, bureau, section, program at various public meetings. Provides reports on project tracking and budget status to Unit Leader or Section Chief as requested.

Directs and coordinates the work of other geologists, technicians and scientists in the assessment and investigation of environmentally contaminated sites. Develops and/or reviews field sampling plans, quality assurance project plans for the assessment and investigation of environmentally contaminated sites. Periodically involved with sampling, supervision of sampling, and actual field investigations of special projects as assigned. Responsible for the documentation of all field activities through report or field note writing. Writes and/or reviews project specific documents within program guidelines including 30-to-60-day maximum review timeframes or established deadlines. Reviews will be documented through written correspondence with parties conducting such geologic or technical investigations and remediation. Written reports will follow program reporting requirements. Coordinates project management with other applicable bureaus and programs within the agency and other governmental or regulatory entities. Communicates 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 designated.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in geology/hydrogeology/earth science/geoscience or other geology field.

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.

• Ability to use proper PPE.
• ArcGIS experience.
• Sampling and Logging Experience.
• Data Evaluation.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Employee must pass a physical which certifies the individual can work in the necessary protective gear within the first year after hire.

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Classified
• 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

$ $28.31