Environmental Compliance Specialist

State of Iowa•Manchester - 52057 - Delaware County, IA

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an environmental compliance specialist position available at the Field Services and Compliance Bureau Field Office 1, located in Manchester, Iowa. Within this position you will be involved in furthering the DNR’s mission to conserve and enhance our natural resources by providing environmental compliance assistance and enforcement throughout the northeast Iowa region. College or university students that are pending graduation in May of 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science are eligible to apply for this position. After training, you will be tasked with conducting on-site inspections of regulated facilities, including animal feeding operations, public water supplies, wastewater treatment plants, air pollution sources and control equipment, storm water permitted facilities, solid waste disposal sites, and underground storage tank facilities. You will become adept in understanding state regulations, scientific principles, facilities, geography information systems, and environmental sampling and interpretation of scientific data. Additionally, you will be trained to address emergency response incidents and complaint situations as they arise. In turn, your role as an environmental compliance specialist will assist and direct regulated facilities to achieve compliance with environmental regulations. This position requires both verbal and written communication, including preparing reports of investigation, meetings with internal and external customers, e.g., regulated parties, federal, state, county, and local officials, environmental professionals, and your fellow team members.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in natural science OR an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental, radiation control, environmental health or food sanitation program for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.
Develop a working knowledge of DNR environmental regulatory programs, policies, and procedures.
Ability to use computer software programs at a moderate to advanced level.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, technical information, regulatory requirements, department policies, procedures, and guidance to public officials, industrial professionals, and others, sometimes within situations that may be difficult or confrontational.
Ability to work outdoors and withstand physically demanding work, including traversing rough terrain and stream banks and activities such as stooping, climbing ladders, and bending and lifting up to 25 pounds.
Possess or obtain a valid driver's license.
Ability to travel frequently during the work week with occasional overnight stays.
Ability to respond 24/7, on-site for emergency response calls during occasional periods when on emergency response duty.

Nice To Haves

College or university students that are pending graduation in May of 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science are eligible to apply for this position.

Responsibilities

Conducting on-site inspections of regulated facilities, including animal feeding operations, public water supplies, wastewater treatment plants, air pollution sources and control equipment, storm water permitted facilities, solid waste disposal sites, and underground storage tank facilities.
Assisting and directing regulated facilities to achieve compliance with environmental regulations.
Preparing reports of investigation.
Meeting with internal and external customers, e.g., regulated parties, federal, state, county, and local officials, environmental professionals, and your fellow team members.
Addressing emergency response incidents and complaint situations as they arise.
Responding 24/7, on-site for emergency response calls during occasional periods when on emergency response duty.

Benefits

Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
Nine paid holidays/year.
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)
Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).