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Environmental Engineer 1, 2 or 3 (Water Quality)

South Dakota State Government
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Job ID: 26279
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources - Office of Water
Location: Pierre
Salary: $30.00 to $42.55 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: EI, EII, or EIII
Closing Date: 03/12/2024

This is a full-time position with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information on the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

The mission of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is to protect and preserve the state’s agriculture, environment, and natural resources with the vision of a prosperous economy, diverse agricultural opportunities, clean air, clean water, and healthy families.

DANR’s Water Quality Program is looking for talented engineers to join our team. Engineers in the Water Quality Program assist with the implementation of the state’s Surface Water Discharge program (commonly known as the NPDES program). Persons in this position collaborate with a wide variety of industries such as mining, construction, and agriculture as well as public sector entities such as municipal wastewater operations. Our engineers work with the regulated community to solve technical problems and ensure protection of the water resource. You must be willing to travel within the state to conduct inspections and collaborate with program partners; likewise, you should be willing to travel in and out of state for training, conferences and other similar events. You must have a demonstrated ability as a technically minded problem-solver, with strong numerical and scientific capability. We are seeking highly motivated individuals who have a team player attitude, a strong desire to learn, and an interest in advancing their career.

Our team is responsible for helping grow South Dakota by working with municipalities and industries to promote economic development in an environmentally responsible manner. Entering public service provides you opportunity to become a steward of public policy and contribute to improvements that are vital to quality of life. You will join a team of engineers and scientists who work together to protect and improve South Dakota’s water quality by controlling pollution and protecting human health and the environment.

Information on the engineering career family and engineering positions is available at https://bhr.sd.gov/files/classspec/804001.pdf.

This work involves:

 

  • conducting engineering reviews of treatment technologies and best management practices to determine if the technology is adequate to treat and manage stormwater at construction and industrial sites;
  • modeling water quality to ensure South Dakota’s streams are protected from pollutants;
  • inspecting construction sites, industrial sites, and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure sites are properly operated and complying with state and federal requirements;
  • completing inspection reports, documenting non-compliance and working to achieve compliance as necessary;
  • working with the larger municipalities in South Dakota to improve the surface water quality through education and outreach;
  • assisting with the development of statewide General Permits
  • writing surface water discharge permits that ensure the beneficial uses of South Dakota’s waters are met and maintained.

 

Your daily work will be meaningful and you will contribute to something bigger than yourself.

Benefits of Working for DANR:
We offer a $2,500 hiring and retention incentive; the first half of the incentive will be paid to you by your second paycheck. The remainder of the incentive is paid after you have worked with us for 15 months.

The state of South Dakota offers a generous health benefits package, which includes health, vision, and dental insurance in addition to one of the top retirement systems in the nation.

The state of South Dakota understands the importance of having a work/life balance and this position includes paid vacation, sick leave, and family leave. You will work a 40-hour work week, which leaves you plenty of time to enjoy all that central South Dakota has to offer.

For entry-level engineers, we offer extensive training opportunities to build your skills and knowledge. DANR cares about its employees and their career development. For experienced engineers, we offer the opportunity for career advancement in both technical and managerial tracks. You will work with and under the direction of licensed Professional Engineers and we offer incentives to obtain your Professional Engineering license. In addition to this, DANR offers development opportunities for employees through the year. This is not just a job; it is an opportunity to build your career.

This position works in a field and office environment. Successful candidate must be able to sit, stand, traverse rough and uneven terrain, negotiate stairs, ladders and other obstacles commonly found in a manufacturing and construction work environment. Most work will be performed in an office setting though field work will be performed indoors and outside in the full range of temperature and weather conditions.

Licenses and Certifications:
Our department values professional licensure. We will give preference to candidates that have successfully passed the Engineer-In-Training/Fundamentals of Engineering exam or have the ability to obtain the license. We will provide the training and experience that allows you to pursue your Professional Engineering license. For applicants at the Engineer 2 or Engineer 3 level, not required but highly desired are applicants with additional certifications (CPESC, CPSWQ, etc).

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
For all levels our ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills. We are looking for someone who wants to serve the citizens of South Dakota by protecting and improving water quality and growing our economy. Only applicants that possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental, civil, geological, or related engineering field will be considered. Additionally, at the Engineer 1 level our ideal candidate would be someone with a strong sense of team and desire to protect the natural resource; at the Engineer 2 and 3 levels our ideal candidate is someone with additional professional experience in the field of wastewater engineering or stormwater engineering.

Knowledge of:

 

  • the principles and practices of environmental and civil engineering;
  • the causes and control of pollution;
  • emerging contaminants such as PFAS;
  • state and federal regulation such as the Clean Water Act.

 

Skill to:

 

  • include modeling of pollutant loads, stormwater flows or other applicable modeling academic or professional experience;
  • include current productivity and data management software such as PowerBI, ArcGIS, etc;
  • routinely communicate and coordinate with other engineers and scientists, other local, state, and federal agencies, and the public; therefore, good communication skills are essential.

 

Ability to:

 

  • make appropriate decisions by applying established engineering guidelines;
  • conduct detailed inspections of wastewater facilities, construction sites and other similar facilities;
  • provide effective customer service to a wide range of internal and external customers;
  • communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
  • work effectively with a team of engineers and scientists to protect South Dakota’s water quality.

 

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

 

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=OZE
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"