Environmental Specialist

State of Iowa•Des Moines - 50321 - Polk County, IA

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Water Quality & Beach Monitoring Specialist to support water quality monitoring, laboratory analysis, and Clean Water Act initiatives. The role helps safeguard public health and natural resources through field water-quality sampling, laboratory analysis for harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, and maintenance of high-integrity water-quality data across state water bodies. It combines technical, field, laboratory, administrative, quality-assurance, and collaborative field-leadership responsibilities. The specialist supports the Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator and the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section’s ambient monitoring work, including field sampling at designated waters and beaches. The position also assists with surface-water assessments for lakes, rivers, and streams; QA/QC checks across water-monitoring programs; technical audits of contract laboratories; and program administration, including seasonal field-staff training, contract and SOP development, and preparation of data summaries. Other related programmatic and operational duties may be assigned. The work involves field conditions that may include adverse weather, uneven terrain, long days, and overnight stays. The employee uses computers, databases, and software to collect and manage water-quality data and produces timely written and oral work products communicating science to the public. Applicants must be able to lift 50 pounds and have a valid driver’s license. Minimum qualifications are a bachelor’s degree in natural science from an accredited college or university, 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 required education. Applicants must also meet one of the listed selectives: Limnology or Water Resources. Students expecting to graduate in December 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related water-related degree are eligible to apply.

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 required education.
Meet the Limnology selective: six months’ experience or nine semester hours in a combination of limnology, aquatic ecology, or other water-science coursework covering freshwater chemical constituents and physical properties, lotic and lentic ecosystem ecology and aquatic plant and animal groups, and the ability to summarize and interpret water-quality data from these systems; OR meet the Water Resources selective: six months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination covering physical, chemical, and biological aspects of surface- and groundwater resources, such as hydrology, hydraulics, water-resources engineering, water chemistry, watershed dynamics, limnology, or stream or wetland ecology.
Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, on uneven terrain, and for long field days that may involve overnight stays.
Ability to lift 50 pounds.
Valid driver’s license.
Technical skills in water-quality sampling, field work, and GIS.
Computer skills and ability to use computers, databases, and software products to collect and manage water-quality data.
Ability to produce quality work products in a timely manner and communicate science orally and in writing.
Critical job competencies include accountability, integrity, high productivity, communication, teamwork, customer focus, interpersonal skills, self-management, and project management.

Responsibilities

Support the Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator and Section with field work for the ambient water-quality monitoring program, including sampling at designated waters and beaches.
Perform bench laboratory analyses focused on harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins and related water-quality parameters.
Assist Integrated Report program co-leads with collecting, formatting, and synthesizing data for surface-water quality assessments of lakes, rivers, and streams.
Collaborate with senior staff and supervisors on QA/QC checks across multiple water-monitoring programs.
Conduct site visits and technical audits of contract laboratories to assess compliance with quality standards and data-integrity protocols.
Assist with program administration, including training seasonal water-quality field staff, contract and SOP development, and data summaries.
Use computers, databases, and software to collect and manage water-quality data.
Produce timely written and oral work products that communicate science to the general public.
Carry out other related programmatic and operational duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive pay plan.
Insurance benefits beginning the first of the month after 30 days of employment.
Separate vacation and sick leave accruals beginning on the first day of employment, with annual rollover.
Nine paid holidays per 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 for vision, cellular service, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, and counseling.
Flexible work schedules, as approved by the supervisor.
Opportunities for hybrid telework, as approved by the supervisor.
Onsite workout/gym facilities at 6200 Park Ave.