Environmental Scientist

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is hiring an Environmental Scientist to support water projects in Southwest Kansas. Responsibilities include conducting water right inspections, preparing reports, and assisting water users. The position is full-time, based in the Garden City Field Office, and offers a salary of $55,000 per year along with comprehensive benefits. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor’s degree and experience in environmental or related sciences.
Agency Information: Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:
• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days (8am to 5pm)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes
• Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:
• Annual Salary: $55,000 per year
• Hourly Pay: $26.44 per hour
• 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:

This position will remain posted until filled.

Location: This position is located at the Garden City Field Office in Finney County, Kansas.

Job Summary:

This position will work directly with the KDA-DWR Water Commissioner and other agency staff to monitor and support a variety of water projects in Southwest Kansas.

Duties and Responsibilities included, but not limited to:
• Work with a diverse team of technical staff both in the field, in the office in Southwest Kansas and at Manhattan Headquarters.
• Conduct water right inspections in the field to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to collect data used to certify water rights.
• Prepare reports, maps, and drawings to assist in decision making by DWR Water Commissioners and the Chief Engineer.
• Use technical equipment such as global positioning system devices and ultrasonic water flowmeters.
• Assist water users and the public with the filing of water use data, application forms, maps, plats, and other associated documents.
• Communicate directly with water users and the public regarding their water rights and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct remote sensing utilizing GIS and other related computer software.
• Research historical DWR documents to determine water right development.
• Prepare notices and orders to ensure water right compliance.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree and any combination of the following equal to one year experience and/or education: environmental science, physical sciences, biological sciences, geology, hydrogeology, mathematics and/or engineering.
• Ability to deal with confrontation when necessary.
• Excellent public speaking skills and generally be comfortable talking with a large group of people.
• Oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Field work may expose this position to extremes of temperature, high voltage of electrical equipment, and equipment including drive shafts and belts.
• Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Preferred Requirement (Not Required):
• Knowledge of agriculture, water systems and Kansas Water Law. Preference is given for someone with previous knowledge of the KWAA and water rights.
• Courses or work experience in hydraulics, hydrology, geology, natural resource management, agricultural, or earth science preferred.

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov

Recruiter Contact Information:
• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:
• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
• Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
• Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
• Cover Letter

Job Application Process
• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and Submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
• Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
• Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:
• Instructions:
• Job Search
• Registration & User Account
• Application
• Frequently Asked Questions

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.