Steam Monitoring Scientist

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a full-time Steam Monitoring Scientist to manage stream biological monitoring and fish tissue contaminant programs. Responsibilities include overseeing program operations, maintaining water quality databases, conducting field sampling, and ensuring data quality. The position offers benefits and requires eligibility to work in the U.S. The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, with flexible options available.
Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes:June 11, 2025

Required documents uploaded by:June 11, 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 .

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
• Sponsorship:KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

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 (K0076233)

Stream Biological Program: Manages stream biological 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, laboratory analytical and taxonomic activities (as needed), training staff assigned to monitoring program, part or full-time, scheduling site visits and selecting biological 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 biological condition of Kansas streams, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.

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

Fish Tissue Contaminant Program:Manages fish tissue contaminant program in accordance with written quality control requirements, standard operating procedures, and Kansas personnel and travel policies.Prime responsibilities include planning and oversight of monitoring activities, coordination of program operations with various cooperating agencies (e.g., EPA, USFWS, KDWPT), development and periodic revision of fish and shellfish consumption advisories (and other related public health advisories), maintenance and safeguarding of departmental fish tissue contaminant databases, training staff assigned to fish tissue contaminant monitoring, part or full-time, selecting fish tissue contaminant sampling based on historic routines, current budgetary constraints, and immediate strategic need of agency, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.

Qualifications
• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in environmental, agricultural or natural sciences/resources and two years of experience in a field of environmental/agricultural sciences or natural sciences/resources.
• 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:
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• Statistical analysis and software
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Quality assurance/control procedures
• Proficiency in fish and aquatic invertebrate taxonomy
• Oracle database
• 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 and aquatic
• 5 yrs experience in the development and publication of technical reports, including scientific report
• 5 yrs experience in the supervision of lab and field personnel.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in Freshwater Ecology or closely related field
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
• 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.