Environmental Specialist

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: May 20, 2024
• Required documents uploaded by: May 20, 2024

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State's Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

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:

• Hourly Pay Range: $25.05 - $25.68
• 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

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0231130)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Environmental Specialist opening in Topeka. This position will manage Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) sites as assigned by the Unit Manager. Acts as a project manager on environmentally contaminated sites and other assigned projects where ongoing investigation and cleanup are occurring; evaluates investigative, monitoring, and general remedial progress to ensure projects are completed within timeframes established by State law and budgets (where applicable); effectively interact with project stakeholders and the public to facilitate timely site investigations and cleanups and disseminate information to the community; communicate all aspects of project management through appropriate chain of command to provide information and/or briefings to management as requested; represent the agency/bureau/section/program at public meetings, technical meetings, and/or workshops to present data, documents, findings to the public, regulatory community, or industry.

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

Provide thorough and quality reviews of projects specific technical documents within program guidelines, which includes within 30 to 60 business days of receipt. Reviews completed within a specific code of policies, procedures, and program quality management plan to ensure that work satisfies relevant statutes, regulations, and program guidance. Reviews will be documented through written correspondence with entities conducting such investigations and/or remediation. Various types of communication including written (letter and email) and oral (telecommunication and face-to-face) are expected during document reviews. Projects assigned to this position will be more complex in nature. Geologic interpretation must be overseen by a licensed professional geologist.

Provide field oversight and regulatory management to assure that work set out in Agreements and Orders complies with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations; review, evaluate, develop and/or design environmental investigations or other associated documents and correspondence; provide oversight during field activities; perform quality assurance/quality control sampling; understands and follows the Quality Management Plan and annually reviews such documents. Employee expected to develop investigative work plans, field sampling plans, safety plans and other associated documents as assigned by Unit Chief. Implements field work in a manner that is safe and consistent with appropriate agency policies and guidelines.

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.

• Minimum Qualifications:

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

• Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in geology, hydrogeology, environmental science or related field.

• Experience in project management of environmental assessment and remediation projects.

• Experience in preparing and/or reviewing soil and groundwater assessment and remediation reports.

• Experience in collection and interpretation of air samples for laboratory analysis.

• Geology classes or experience.

• Knowledge of volatile organic compounds, metals and inorganic contamination.

• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Within 6 months of hire, must pass a physical which certifies the individual can work in the necessary protective gear.

Recruiter Contact Information

• Name: Ashley Webb

• Email: Ashley.webb@ks.gov

• Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.

• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page.

*This information is included on all your job applications.

• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.

*This information is included on all your job applications.

• 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"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers

• My Job Applications page

• Transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.