Water Quality Infrastructure Engineer - Polk Co

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) exists to connect Iowans with programs and information about crops, food safety standards, livestock and more. We work together with local farmers markets and Iowa farmers to continue to support the robust industry and culture Iowa has focused around agriculture. IDALS seeks to fill the position of Environmental Engineer Senior in the Water Resources Bureau. Specifically, the selected candidate will serve as a lead engineering and technical expert overseeing installation of water quality infrastructure practices in support of the Iowa Water Quality Initiative (WQI) and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, or Public Health Engineering and three years of full-time professional work in environmental engineering; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting thirty semester hours of accredited graduate level course work in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, or Public Health Engineering for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years; OR licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners.
• Civil Engineering: 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or more of the following: Survey crew, Construction inspector, Professional civil engineer.
• Must be able to read blueprints, plans, and/or specifications.
• Agricultural Engineering: 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both including knowledge in one or in a combination of the following areas: machinery and power systems, structural design, mechanical analysis or ventilation, and climate control.
• Environmental Engineering: 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of engineering that is centered on the technology concerned with the reduction of pollution, contamination, and deterioration of the surroundings in which humans live.
• Licensure as a Professional Engineer to practice in Iowa may be required at the option of the employing department within one year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial site visit and assist to verify eligibility of site for wetland development and suitability for practice installation prior to execution of a contract for outsourced engineering.
• Attend meetings with landowners and engineering consultant to review preliminary design to ensure specifications are met.
• Assist with review of final design and specification submittal from engineering consultant.
• Provide quality assurance and quality control with respect to project plans and specifications furnished to IDALS by engineering consultants.
• Provide technical assistance as needed to representatives of engineering consultants.
• Assist with development and submittal of information needed for various permits, including US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 and DNR Floodplain and Water Storage permits. This includes cultural resources assessments needed to expedite permitting processes and potential modification of designs depending on potential findings.
• Assist with review of construction bidding and contracting documents, attend pre-bid meetings and bid openings associated with water quality infrastructure projects bid by IDALS.
• Perform periodic site visits during construction and assist with processing of contractor and consulting engineer pay requests.
• Provide review of other edge-of-field practices and provide technical assistance to watershed coordinators and environmental specialists, and technicians who are collecting field data for those projects.
• Complete design of smaller wetlands and edge-of-field projects where it is determined that in-house design will be more efficient and cost effective.
• Visit completed sites in need of repairs or non-routine maintenance.
• Work with landowner and contractor to recommend appropriate remedy and ensure work is completed correctly.
• Provide training and guidance to technicians, SWCD employees, and environmental specialists on field data collection and survey techniques necessary for design and installation of water quality infrastructure practices.

Benefits

• Low out of pocket, high quality family medical insurance as low as $210.00 per month, single as low as $64.00 per month
• Dental insurance is free for single and $48.00 per month for family coverage
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, voluntary supplemental life for an additional cost, and long term disability insurance at no cost
• Exceptional retirement package includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan
• In addition to IPERS a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month
• Paid leave includes – 9 holidays, sick, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior