Waterway Permit & Compliance Intake Specialist

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is hiring two Waterway Permit & Compliance Intake Specialists. These positions, located in Wisconsin, involve making regulatory decisions on permit applications and providing technical assistance to applicants. Remote work may be available after onboarding. The roles offer competitive pay and benefits, emphasizing a diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for training and growth.
Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring two Waterway Permit and Compliance Intake Specialist’s (Water Regulation & Zoning Specialist – Senior) in the Waterways Program, Division of External Services.

These positions may be headquartered in any DNR Service Center in WI, depending on space availability and the location of the selected candidate.

Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions.

The DNR is a great place to work! We are a workplace focused on diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Current employees value work-hour flexibility, casual office atmosphere, healthy work-life balance, and working for an organization that provides training and growth opportunities.

The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our citizenry. We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. The staff works in partnership with individuals and organizations to manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air, and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes at least 3.5 weeks of paid time off, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan! To learn more about the State’s complete compensation package, please visit the Total Rewards Calculator.

Position Summary

These positions work independently to make regulatory decisions on permit applications and potential violations. A high level of technical expertise and customer service is required to provide technical and interpretive assistance to permit applicants and direct them to regulatory compliance; process permit applications for required elements and fees; make permit decisions for a wide range of activities that propose to impact public trust resources; complete environmental enforcement actions on violations; function as the contact person for permit applicants, complainants, responsible parties to a violation, government agencies, other DNR programs, and other partners; and provide public information and interpretation of policies, procedures, and rules.

For more information, please see the Waterway Permit and Compliance Intake Specialist position description.

Salary Information

Starting pay for these positions are between $32.00 to $34.00 per hour (or $66,560 to $70,720 annually), in addition to excellent benefits.

These positions are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

These positions are included in the classification Water Regulation & Zoning Specialist-Senior within pay schedule/range 15-03. A 12-month probationary period may be required.

Job Details

Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in the United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Disabled veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Please send your letter of qualifications and resume outlining how you meet the required qualifications for the position listed above in the job announcement along with your DD-214, and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12-months) to the HR contact listed in this announcement for information on how to apply under this provision. Current state employees are not eligible for non-competitive appointment.

Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.

Travel: Some statewide travel is required to conduct site visits and meet with project partners. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Qualifications

Please make sure to address and describe EACH of the following qualifications applicable to your experience within your resume and/or letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:

Required qualifications include experience with the following:
• Project management (e.g., documenting, organizing and/or tracking processes and/or information, implementing project tasks with partners on a timeline, maintaining databases, etc.)
• Providing technical information and interpretation of program regulations, administrative code, and/or state statutes to a wide variety of audiences
• Working with environmental or other regulatory programs

Preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:
• Developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders (e.g., general public, project consultants, municipal partners, internal partners and customer programs, counterpart state and federal agencies, tribal governments, legislators, etc.)
• Reviewing, managing, or authorizing projects for compliance with laws and conducting project site investigations
• Drafting and implementing processes and/or standard operating procedures

How To Apply

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.) please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this JOB ID: 18003 to complete your application.

Click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job. Please review these instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials as you prepare to apply. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Patricia Buchholz in Human Resources at patricia.buchholz@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-2133.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Deadline to Apply

All applications must be received by 11:59pm central on Thursday, June 12th, 2025.