Lake and Wetland Scientist

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a full-time Lake and Wetland Scientist to manage lakes and wetland monitoring programs. Responsibilities include overseeing program operations, maintaining water quality databases, conducting field sampling, and ensuring data accuracy. The position offers benefits and flexible scheduling but requires on-site work in Kansas. Compensation ranges from $25.68 to $28.31 per hour, depending on qualifications.
Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes:March 23, 2025

Required documents uploaded by:March 23, 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: Agency Only

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 (K0227542)

Lake and Wetland Program:Manages lakes and wetland monitoring program in accordance with written quality control requirements, standard operating procedures, and Kansas personnel and travel policies.Prime responsibilities include planning and oversight of program's operation, maintenance and safeguarding of program water quality databases, participating in field sampling and laboratory analytical activities (as needed), training and supervising staff assigned to monitoring program, part or full-time, scheduling site visits and selecting parameter sampling based on historic routines, current budgetary constraints, and immediate strategic need of agency, conducting quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) checks on current and historic data to ensure accuracy of data in representing condition of Kansas lakes and wetlands, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.

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

Data and Technical Support for Section and Bureau Programs: Participates in the preparation of various water quality assessment reports (including, for example 305(b) reports and 303(d) listing of impairments, in-house technical reports, public informational pamphlets, and peer-reviewed journal articles) utilizing knowledge of environmental statistics, data analysis and interpretation, descriptive writing, Kansas surface water quality regulation, and EPA requirements.Draft and final work products are reviewed by immediate supervisor, section chief, bureau director, and/or KDHE public information officer for conformance with bureau and departmental polices.As needed, lends technical assistance to other departmental water quality monitoring and assessment programs.

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:
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology or a
• related natural science.
• Two years of experience in a field of environmental/agricultural sciences or natural sciences/resources.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in freshwater ecology (or closely related field)
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• Statistical analysis and software
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Quality assurance/control procedures
• Oracle
• Graduate level coursework and research experience in freshwater ecology or a closely related field
• 5 yrs experience in the management of ambient surface water quality monitoring programs
• 5 yrs experience in aquatic chemistry and biology investigations
• 5 yrs applied experience in the development and publication of technical reports
• 5 yrs applied experience in the supervision of lab and field personnel
• Post Offer Qualifications:
• Employee must obtain and maintain Red Cross certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid.

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.