Environmental Specialist Senior

Job Description

Are you passionate about making a lasting impact on Iowa’s environment and natural resources? Do you want to work alongside dedicated professionals with a shared goal of enhancing opportunities through environmental conservation and protection? If so, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites you to apply for the position of Environmental Specialist Senior in the Underground Storage Tank Section of our Land Quality Bureau!

The successful candidate will serve as the lead Environmental Specialist Senior for the State's UST (underground storage tank) and lead coordinator for LUST (leaking underground storage tanks) sites in all regions of the state.

Key Responsibilities

As the lead Environmental Specialist Senior for the UST side of the program, you will:

• Ensure Environmental Specialist and Program Planner staff working in the assigned program are consistent in decisions based on program rules and procedures. Serve as a mentor and trainer for Environmental Specialist and Program Planner staff working in the UST program. Assign work to Environmental Specialist and Program Planner staff working in the UST program as warranted. Serve as Acting Supervisor in the absence of the UST Section Supervisor and assist supervisor by participating in all office, field office, and environmental program planning, communication, and coordination.
• Instruct and train employees on the technical standards (567 IAC Chapters 134, 135, and 136), codes (NFPA, International Fire Code), and recommended practices (PEI, API, ASTM) for underground storage tanks. Distribute work load to other program staff, check the quality of their work, and answer questions. Perform compliance reviews of tank installations, testing, inspections, and closure reports.
• Perform contract procurement of UST related services and contract management following state and federal guidelines.
• Oversee compliance with financial responsibility requirements, inspection requirements, and conduct reviews of UST Registration forms.
• Oversee compliance with and conduct reviews of temporary closed UST systems, permanently closed UST systems, and return to service forms.
• Oversee the implementation of delivery prohibition measures at non-compliant UST systems. Monitor the status of UST sites by running queries and/or reports on the UST section database.
• Refer non-compliant sites to the Legal Services Bureau for enforcement action when warranted.
• Assist in providing statewide oversight of Iowa Certified UST Professionals by participating in and speaking at training events and continuing education programs, reviewing materials from other state programs for comparable standards and adequacy when individuals seek reciprocal certification in Iowa, and preparing documentation for disciplinary action or legal enforcement when warranted. Develop and revise UST administrative rules and facilitate the rule making process including outreach to stakeholders across the state when warranted.
• Communicate and coordinate with EPA staff to ensure compliance with UST statewide work plans and reporting requirements. Communicate with and coordinate with external partners including UST Professionals, stakeholders, and the DNR Field Offices.
  
  

As the lead Environmental Specialist Senior for the LUST side of the program, you will:

• Serve as lead Environmental Specialist Senior LUST (Leaking Underground Storage tank) coordinator for sites in all regions of Iowa. Serve as a mentor and trainer for Environmental Specialist and Program Planner staff working on the LUST side of the program. Assign report review responsibilities to the Environmental Specialist staff. Serve as Acting Supervisor in the absence of the UST Section Supervisor and assist supervisor by participating in all office, field office, and environmental program planning, communication, and coordination.
• Manage activities at LUST sites throughout Iowa that require advanced professional skill, knowledge, and talent to resolve complex social, political, technological, environmental, and adverse public health considerations. Review Tier 1, 2, and 3 risk-based corrective action (RBCA) assessment reports, Site Monitoring Reports (SMRs), and Free Product Assessment and Removal Reports for completeness and compliance with DNR administrative rules and guidance. Review Corrective Action Design Reports (CADRs) for high risk sites.
• Provide written responses to these reports identifying deficiencies, stating acceptance or denial of the recommendations contained in the reports, and identifying follow-up actions required. Establish schedules for meeting specific goals or other requirements. Determine the efficiency of free product removal methods, and the active treatment systems if appropriate. As an alternative to a CADR, schedule and host corrective action teleconferences/meetings with the Responsible Parties (RPs), consultants, funding agency representatives and other affected properties. Continue to work with the RP to initiate corrective actions in a timely manner and achieve cleanup of contamination to applicable target levels, or alleviate high risk conditions by other means. Record the submittal and approval or rejection of the reports in the project file and in the automated database.
• Monitor the status of LUST sites by running queries and/or reports on the UST section database. Respond to requests for LUST site information related to property transfers, construction and utility projects, and geothermal or other well permitting. Refer non-compliant sites to the Legal Services Bureau for enforcement action when warranted. Assist in providing statewide oversight of Iowa Certified Groundwater Professionals by participating in and speaking at training events and continuing education programs, reviewing proposed training events to determine the number of eligible continuing education hours, and preparing documentation for disciplinary action or legal enforcement when warranted. Perform contract procurement of LUST related services and contract management following state and federal guidelines. Develop and revise LUST administrative rules and facilitate the rule making process including outreach to stakeholders across the state when warranted.
• Communicate and coordinate with EPA staff to ensure compliance with LUST statewide work plans and reporting requirements. Communicate and coordinate with external partners including Certified Groundwater Professionals, stakeholders, and the DNR Field Offices.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Serve as a lead Environmental Specialist Senior for the UST and LUST sides of the program. Provide technical assistance, training ,and guidance to UST Section staff and Field Office staff to assure consistency in the application of UST and LUST standards, procedures, and regulations. Perform detailed reviews of technical reports and documents to assure compliance with UST and LUST regulations.
• Communicate professionally and tactfully with UST facility owners/operators, LUST responsible parties, certified UST Professionals, Certified Iowa Groundwater Professionals, stakeholders, and the public regarding UST operational standards and requirements. Prepare correspondence to regulated entities with review comments and instructions for meeting compliance regulations.
• Facilitate meetings between the UST Section and Field staff to review and clarify regulations, exchange experience and knowledge on technical and procedural matters, and identify work priorities.
• Prepare and give technical presentations at training events for certified UST Professionals and Certified Groundwater Professionals.
• Investigate deficiencies by certified UST Professionals and Certified Groundwater Professionals and prepare documentation for disciplinary action when warranted.
• Compile and summarize statewide UST and LUST compliance data for semi-annual reporting to EPA, and assist supervisor in the development of grant work plans to meet EPA obligations.
• Review, interpret, and effectively communicate information about federal and state laws, rules, regulations, standards, and guidance. Analyze and interpret information and data to reach conclusions and provide recommendations and requirements. Write professional review letters, documents, and electronic mail correspondence using proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
• Maintain a broad knowledge base of underground and leaking underground storage tank programs and regulations. Use PC-based computer systems and software, routinely and effectively, for oral and written communication, and to utilize databases, develop spreadsheets, research reference documents, and analyze data.
  
  

Critical Job Competencies

• The successful candidate must demonstrate initiative, customer service and team orientation, and high standards of ethical conduct. They must adjust to change, work pressures or difficult situations without undue stress.
• Accountability, Attention to Detail, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Focus, High Productivity, Integrity, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Project Management, Self-Management, Team Player, and Technical Skills - Underground and Leaking Underground Storage Tanks.
  
  

What You Get From Us

• A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
• Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
  
  

(Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage).

• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
• Nine paid holidays/year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Family friendly and professional work environment.
• Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling)
• The State’s total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
• Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
• Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).
• Workout/Gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave.
  
  

Comments

The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.

Ensure you are kept up-to-date of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from [email protected] . This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.

DNR Application Tips

For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Iowa DNR Mission

To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a Natural Science and three years of full time professional scientific experience in an environmental program in the areas of water supply, waste water, animal feeding operations, hazardous substances, radiation, sewage treatment, solid waste, geology, history, archeology, flood plain, air pollution, dam safety, or underground storage tanks;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required full-time professional work for each 30 semester hours of the required education;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting thirty semester hours of accredited graduate level coursework in a Natural Science, history, or archeology for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the State of Iowa Executive Branch that includes twenty-four months of full-time work as an Environmental Specialist or Environmental Engineer.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.