Environmental Engineer - Wastewater

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hiring an Environmental Engineer specializing in wastewater management. This role involves reviewing construction permits, managing wastewater treatment projects, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Key responsibilities include technical reviews, site inspections, and stakeholder communication. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and experience in wastewater systems. The position is located in Iowa and requires travel for site inspections.
About the position

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a dedicated Environmental Engineer specializing in wastewater management to join their Wastewater Engineering team. This position plays a crucial role in protecting water quality and public health through the engineering and technical review of construction permit applications and the management of wastewater treatment and collection system infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing and approving facility plans, construction permits, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. This role requires a detail-oriented individual who can effectively coordinate with various stakeholders, including municipalities, funding agencies, and other departments within the DNR. As an Environmental Engineer, you will engage in municipal wastewater project management, which includes the technical review of facility plans to ensure they meet design standards and regulatory requirements. You will also be responsible for processing variances, issuing construction permits, and conducting site visits to treatment facilities for inspections. The position demands strong project management skills, as you will manage assigned projects according to the permitting process manual, maintain project schedules, and coordinate with applicants and other agencies to expedite approvals. In addition to technical responsibilities, the role requires excellent communication skills to prepare and deliver technical presentations to stakeholders and engage with permittees and consulting engineers. The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative, provide exceptional customer service, and collaborate effectively within a team environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the environmental protection efforts of the state while working in a supportive and professional atmosphere.

Responsibilities
• Conduct technical reviews of facility plans for wastewater projects to ensure compliance with design standards and regulations.
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• Coordinate with cities, consultants, and other agencies throughout the permitting process.
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• Prepare technical documents and recommendations for project approvals.
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• Review and approve construction permit applications, ensuring adherence to design standards.
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• Conduct site visits to wastewater treatment facilities for inspections and reporting.
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• Manage assigned projects according to the permitting process manual and maintain project schedules.
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• Coordinate with funding agencies for project eligibility and funding processes.
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• Process CWSRF projects, including technical reviews and construction permit applications.
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• Provide constructive feedback during in-depth technical reviews of projects.
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• Prepare and deliver technical presentations to stakeholders.

Requirements
• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, preferably in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
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• Valid Class C driver's license for travel and site inspections.
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• Experience in design and/or design review of wastewater/water collection and treatment systems is preferred.
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• Ability to read blueprints, plans, and specifications.
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• Strong understanding of state and federal wastewater regulations and standards.

Nice-to-haves
• Advanced coursework or degree in wastewater engineering.
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• Experience with project management in a municipal setting.
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• Familiarity with web-based project tracking systems.

Benefits
• Competitive salary range of $61,110.40 - $94,806.40 annually.
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• Insurance benefits starting the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
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• Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that roll over annually.
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• Nine paid holidays per year.
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• Employee Assistance Program.
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• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
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• Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
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• Professional training opportunities.
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• Family-friendly work environment.
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• Employee Discount Programs for various services.