Environmental Engineer

State of Iowa•Des Moines, IA

49d•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you a soon-to-be or recent graduate looking to launch your career with meaningful public service and gain immediate, hands-on experience while working alongside a dedicated, experience team? Are you an Environmental Engineer looking for a change that offers a compelling sense of mission and better work-life balance and flexibility? If so, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Engineer to join our dedicated team within the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites section of the Land Quality Bureau. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the protection of Iowa's environment and public health. In this position, you will play a key role in supporting the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites team within the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Program, the Industrial Landfill Program, the Coal Combustion Residue Program, and the Construction & Demolition Landfill Program. Your work will be centered around technical review and project management for Solid Waste Sanitary Landfills. You will spend most of your time acting as a technical reviewer. This involves reading and evaluating engineering plans, site reports, and environmental monitoring data for existing or proposed landfills before they can be permitted. You'll also conduct site visits as needed and be responsible for managing your projects to ensure they continue working towards completion or resolution. This position requires both verbal and written communication, including coordinating with DNR field office staff on project-specific and site issues; meetings with internal and external stakeholders e.g., solid waste agencies and their representatives, engineers, vendors, citizens, and private and public entities; and providing responses to public inquiries and requests for technical and regulatory information regarding your programs. College or university students that are pending graduation in December 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical, or Public Health Engineering are eligible to apply for this position.

Requirements

College or university students that are pending graduation in December 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical, or Public Health Engineering are eligible to apply for this position.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical, or Public Health Engineering
Licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners
Accountability
Common Sense
Communication Skills
Computer Skills
Customer Focus
High Productivity
Integrity
Interpersonal Skills
Project Management
Self-Management
Team Player
Technical Skills (solid waste/engineer)

Responsibilities

Read and comprehend plans and specifications for solid waste management operations and, as related to this understanding, perform technical calculations
Use computers and basic computer software products for the purposes of data management, performing analytical functions, and generating reports, tables, and charts
Present engineering and technical facts, data, and conclusions clearly and concisely, both orally and in written documents
Develop, read, comprehend, and analyze laws, rules, reports, and related technical documents
Travel with some overnight stays
Organize and manage numerous project files
Effectively communicate with applicants and the public
Must have the capacity to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress

Benefits

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 $64/month for single and $210/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.
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)
The State's total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation.
Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).
Workout/Gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave.