Wastewater Environmental Engineer

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an exciting opportunity for a wastewater engineer who demonstrates technical skills, customer focus and a detail-oriented team player to join the Wastewater Engineering team in the role of an Environmental Engineer and help protect water quality. This vacancy is in the Wastewater Engineering Section of the Environmental Services Division's Water Quality Bureau. As a wastewater engineer, you will have the distinct opportunity to be an integral part of the engineering team that protects the environment and public health by providing engineering/technical review of construction permit applications and management of wastewater treatment and collection system infrastructure projects including approval of engineering planning reports, antidegradation alternatives analyses, plans and specifications and approve construction permits for non-funded wastewater projects and some Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) funded wastewater projects.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following job duties -

Municipal wastewater project management including:

Facility Plan approval:

• Technical review of facility plans addressing adequacy of design basis, conformance with design standards, state and federal rules, regulations, and standards and siting requirements.

• Follow the permitting process manual coordinating with cities and their consultants and other agencies as necessary.

• Coordinate activities with DNR field offices, Waste Load Allocation staff, and NPDES staff on project specific and siting issues. Coordinate with cities and various funding agencies for eligibility

• Prepare accurate and appropriate technical comments to assure conformance with design standards and sound engineering practices. 

• Process variances making reasonable and justified recommendations in accordance with rules.

Review and approve construction permit applications:

• Projects will conform to current adopted design standards.

• Document reviews and comments made, transmit clear and concise comments to the project owner and consultant. Meet as necessary to resolve technical issues.

• Follow the prescribed process in the permitting process manual.

• Issue construction permits.

• Site visits to treatment facilities to conduct inspections and compile reports

General Project Management:

• Manage assigned projects according to the permitting process manual.

• Use web-based tracking system for administrative management of project information.

• Perform professional project contacts and document actions

• Maintain project schedules by timely reviews and responses.

• Coordinate with applicants, their representatives, citizens and other agencies to expedite project approvals.

Other related duties as assigned which may include CWSRF assisted projects:

• Process CWSRF projects including the technical review of engineering reports and construction permit applications using the permitting process manual as applicable.

• Coordinate with municipalities, various funding agencies for funding eligibility including CWSRF and approval.

• Issue construction permits.

• Conduct construction inspections and compile reports.

• Other technical projects as assigned.

Essential Functions

1. Apply state-design standards, engineering principles and practices to manage wastewater treatment and conveyance design and operation practices.

2. Review technical, administrative, and regulatory documents to ensure compliance with permitting rules and requirements.

3. Interpret and comprehend technical project documents and information effectively.

4. Conduct in-depth technical reviews of projects and provide constructive feedback.

5. Perform complex civil and environmental engineering calculations.

6. Utilize educational background, knowledge, and experience in civil and environmental engineering principles to fulfill job responsibilities.

7. Utilize personal computers for document creation and generate reports using databases.

8. Work independently with minimal supervision.

9. Communicate fluently and tactfully, in both written and oral English, to engage with permittees, consulting engineers, stakeholders, and the public.

10. Prepare and deliver technical presentations to stakeholders.

11. Travel to remote sites for meetings and inspections, operating state vehicles or personal vehicles, and demonstrating mobility to inspect construction sites in challenging terrains.

12. Demonstrate initiative, provide excellent customer service, collaborate effectively in a team, and uphold high standards of ethical conduct.

13. Adapt to change, handle work pressures, and manage difficult situations with resilience and composure.

Critical Job Competencies

Position Specific Competencies: Accountability, Interpersonal Skills, High Productivity, Attention to Detail, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Focus, Integrity, Problem Solving, Project Management, Self-Management, Team Player, and Technical Engineering Skills.

What You Get From Us:

•             A competitive pay plan and rewarding work. 

•             Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment. 

               (Premiums can start as low as $61/month for single and $205/month for family coverage).

•             Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.

•             Nine paid holidays/year.

•             Employee Assistance Program.

•             Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.

•             Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.

•             Professional training opportunities.

•             Family friendly and professional work environment.

•             Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling). 

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering required. Preference will be given to degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering. 

Additional preference may be given to those with related work experience in design and/or design review of wastewater/water collection and treatment systems or advanced coursework and advanced degree in wastewater engineering. 

Valid Class C driver’s license in order to drive a state vehicle or personal vehicle and travel for job duties.

The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attach a Resume/Cover Letter to the online application to demonstrate how your qualifications and experience best fit the critical competencies, essential functions and job duties of this position. 

For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.

The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.