Environmental Specialist

The State of Kansas is hiring an Environmental Specialist to work full-time in the Bureau of Water. Responsibilities include preparing enforcement actions, developing compliance reports, providing guidance on NPDES compliance issues, and advising the legal department on penalties for violations. The position offers a salary range of $25.68-$28.31 per hour, benefits, and a flexible Monday-Friday schedule. The job is not remote, as it is based in Kansas.
Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: February 27, 2025

Required documents uploaded by: February 27, 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.

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: $25.68-$28.31
• 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 (K0231135)

Bureau or Water is looking for an Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Officer that independently prepares and implements Bureau of Water enforcement actions for the Director of Environment and Secretary of KDHE's signature. Duties will include:
• Develop reports to track and measure non-compliance across permitted NPDES facilities within the state.
• Draft, edit, and review contracts, letters, policies, and legal documents related to NPDES compliance.
• Provide expertise and guidance to field and office staff on identifying and resolving NPDES compliance issues at both permitted and non-permitted facilities.
• Analyze and interpret scientific compliance data and other environmental reports to ascertain if the facts support the issuance of enforcement orders and recommend actions necessary to bring facilities into compliance.
• Read, understand, and interpret State and Federal law regarding NPDES compliance.
• Provide scientific basis to make final decisions of a technical nature regarding the identification of specific compliance problems and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide technical and scientific advice and consultation to the KDHE legal department in developing appropriate monetary penalties and corrective actions for violations of State and Federal NPDES rules and regulations.

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

Oversees and independently prepares and implements Bureau of Water enforcement orders for the Director of Environment and Secretary of KDHE's signature. Independently determines recommendations for enforcement action to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Provides expert scientific technical advice and consultation to KDHE legal department, determines appropriate monetary penalties and technical environmental requirements as allowed by the Penalty Guidance document, standard practice, and Kansas Law. Independently provides scientific basis to make final decisions of a technical nature in regard to the identification of specific compliance problems and recommends corrective actions. Oversees field and office investigations and makes professional observations and judgments necessary to identify adverse health effects on human, animal, and plant life associated with environmental pollution. Manages and independently determines the need for, and arranges for, the collection of special samples, analyzes results, and makes recommendations as to the direction of further enforcement actions. Reviews and provides professional scientific recommendations on specific federal, state or local laws, regulations and policies pertaining to wastewater control facilities. Independently negotiates legal settlements and Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). Responsible for legal research and conducts complex legal work for the Bureau of Water compliance and enforcement unit. Manages, develops and assembles the documents supporting the Bureau of Water environmental enforcement actions. Manages and develops the witness and exhibit list for hearings and keeps witnesses informed of on-going negotiations and works with the KDHE Legal personnel in preparation of witnesses and scientific documents and acts as a scientific expert witness for the Division of Environment in cases that go to hearing or court. Uses advanced technical knowledge of state and federal requirements for environmental compliance in wastewater. Independently analyzes and interprets scientific compliance data and other environmental reports to ascertain if the facts support the issuance of enforcement orders and recommends actions necessary to bring facilities into compliance.

Assists at the annual operator's school as moderator and speaker. Develops special reports from the Oracle and KEIMS databases upon request, etc. Cooperates with law enforcement personnel to enforce laws, rules, and regulations. Investigates potential violations and issue warnings or citations; apprehends violators; interviews violators and witnesses; secures evidence; prepares evidence and testifies in court concerning the state’s environmental wastewater pollution issues.

Qualifications
• Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 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 in biology, chemistry, geology or a related natural science.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in environmental, agricultural, chemical, biological, natural sciences/resources
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Word Perfect
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• Analyze federal laws, rules, requirements and guidelines
• Analyze data and make recommendations to solve specific problems
• Preparing legal documents
• Drafting, editing and reviewing contracts, letters, policies, orders and other documents
• Ability to multi-task on a daily basis
• Good technical writing skills
• Knowledge of water pollution biology, chemistry and bacteriology of wastewater
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations concerning water pollution
• Three years of professional experience in the study and resolution of environmental problems

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Ariana Paige

Email: Ariana.Paige@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.