Environmental Field Services Intern

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a part-time Environmental Field Services Intern for Summer 2025. Interns will inspect wastewater treatment facilities for compliance with regulations and collect water samples for the Harmful Algal Bloom program. The position requires daytime travel within the Northcentral District and offers flexible scheduling. This is a temporary, unclassified position based in Salina, Kansas.
Job Posting

Interns will have an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience by inspecting a wide variety of minor municipal, commercial, and industrial wastewater treatment facilities to determine compliance with state and federal regulations and statutes, to protect public health and the environment. Students will also be required to collect water samples for the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) program to ensure that the public is aware of algal blooms on public lakes.

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes:May 26, 2025

Required documents uploaded by:May 26, 2025

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.

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9 . KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here . For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here .

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

About The Position

Who can apply: Anyone (External)

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time, the position is allowed up to 999 hours per year max

Regular/Temporary: Temporary

Work Schedule: Flexible,Monday-Friday (32-40 hours per week)

Eligible to Receive Benefits: No

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:
• Hourly Pay Range: $15.03

Internship Summary & Responsibilities

Internship Project Duties:

The internship position (K0241491)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking an Environmental Field Services Intern to join our Internship Program in the Bureau of Environmental Field Services located in our Salina office for the Summer 2025.

Interns will have an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience by inspecting a wide variety of minor municipal, commercial, and industrial wastewater treatment facilities to determine compliance with state and federal regulations and statutes, to protect public health and the environment. Students will also be required to collect water samples for the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) program to ensure that the public is aware of algal blooms on public lakes.

This position involves daytime travel throughout the Northcentral District of KDHE and the anticipated work schedule is flexible from Monday to Friday.

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

This Position will collect surface water samples for HAB investigations and document all associated field data. They will also complete minor wastewater lagoon inspections independently and will be required to document all field data including collecting information regarding permit conditions, observations of current conditions, and documenting observations.

This position will assist in meeting the required sampling for the summer for the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) program. This would allow our trained, experienced staff to continue to meet the inspection, complaint, and technical assistance requirements for the public water supply and wastewater programs. The intern staff would also be able to assist with file reviews and minor inspections. This temporary position will greatly assist in meeting the additional workload from the HAB sampling program that occurs during the summer while assisting in working on inspections.

Learn more at: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/287/Field-Services

Qualifications
• Education:
• Current college student, majoring in sciences such as biology, engineering, or earth sciences or related fields.
• 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:
• Current college student, majoring in sciences such as biology, engineering, or earth sciences or related fields.
• Customer Service skills.
• Ability to follow directions and work independently.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Ability to communicate in writing and in personal interactions.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
• State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate. The successful applicant (even non-residents) must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website within 10 days of the date the applicant has been offered the employment position. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact (785) 296-3199. Visit the Tax Clearance site for more information on and where to obtain this Kansas Department of Revenue document.

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

How To Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

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.