Environmental Engineer - Tmdl Modeling Engineer

Salary : $59,321.60 - $92,040.00 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-02994
Agency: 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 03/06/2024
Closing Date: 3/26/2024 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact: Noah Poppelreiter, noah.poppelreiter@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-669-8752
To Apply: The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
Job Description
Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and Selective Requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.
Looking to be an integral part of the team that creates the foundation for improving Iowa's surface waters? The DNR is excited to present an opportunity to work for the State of Iowa as a TMDL Modeling Engineer. TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) are the watershed-wide models that act as the starting plan to improve waterbodies that are impaired for various pollutants. As a TMDL engineer, your job duties will include:

1. To work under and with the DNR's TMDL Senior Engineer to create the TMDLs assigned to you;
2. To compile and model data to provide the hydrological, physical biological, and chemical background of a watershed;
3. Specifically, to model data using various water quality models such as SWAT, WASP, QUAL2K, and STEP-L;
4. To craft the various allocations for the point source, nonpoint source, and ambient pollutants entering the watershed;
5. To use your training and experience related to pollutant transport and decay; hydrology; water quality monitoring; agricultural engineering concepts; agronomic principles; statistics; and other applicable sciences to finalize the TMDL;
6. To review other TMDLs created by section staff;
7. To facilitate the submission of the TMDL to the EPA for federal review and approval; and
8. To work with the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment section and the Water Quality Bureau at large with other tasks related to improving Iowa's impaired waterways.

TMDLs are highly technical documents. As such, this posting is intended for applicants with a degree in environmental, agricultural, or civil engineering. May 2024 graduates are welcome to apply. Additionally, due to the high number of impairments on lakes in the state, the DNR welcomes applicants with degrees in limnology AND experience with modeling tools to apply as well.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application to demonstrate how your qualifications and experience best fit the critical competencies, essential functions and job duties of this position. College or university students that are pending graduation in May 2024 with a Bachelor's Degree are eligible to apply for this position.
Essential Functions
1. Compile and model data used in the creation of TMDLs.
2. Create TMDL based on date, models, training, and experience.
3. Use ArcGIS or similar products.
4. Use advanced watershed and water quality models, such as SWAT, WASP, QUAL2K, and STEP-L.
5. Interpret and comprehend technical project documents and information effectively.
6. Comprehend and/or perform complex mathematical and engineering calculations.
7. Utilize computers for document creation, report generation using databases, and document submission.
8. Communicate fluently, both in written and oral English, to engage with permittees, consulting engineers, stakeholders, and the public.
9. Apply complex physical and biological interactions with pollutants using engineering principles.
10. Work professionally with supervisory support during the drafting and review process of creating TMDLs.
Critical Job Competencies
Position Specific Competencies: Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Team Work, Customer Focus, Communication skills, Self-Management, Technical Skills (TMDLs); Interpersonal Skills, Computer Skills, Project Management;
1. Degree in civil, environmental, agricultural, or related engineering is required. Can be waived with a degree in limnology and demonstration of modeling experience.
2. Experience in utilizing watershed and/or water quality models is required.
3. Experience with GIS is required.
What You Get From Us:
• 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 $61/month for single and $205/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.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 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).
For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Iowa DNR Mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
Selectives
762 Water Resources
6 months' experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of surface and ground water resources including the following: • Surface water hydrology • Ground water hydrology • Hydraulics • Water resources engineering • Natural resources conservation engineering • Water supply engineering • Water quality engineering • Erosion and sediment transport • Surface or ground water chemistry • Watershed dynamics • Limnology • Stream or wetland ecology The Water Resources selective is distinct from the Water Supply, Waste Water, Water Quality, and Chemistry selectives in that the Water Resources selective applies to the management, engineering, and quality analysis of surface and groundwater resources in the natural environment rather than the processing of water in a waste water or drinking water treatment plant or the analysis of water samples in a laboratory.
AND
007 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.
OR
097 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.

OR
182 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.
OR
973 Limnology
Six months' experience or nine semester hours in a combination of limnology, aquatic ecology, or other water science coursework that provide the applicant with the following:
• Knowledge of the chemical constituents and physical properties of freshwaters.
• Understanding of the ecology of lotic and lentic ecosystems and basic familiarity with the aquatic plant and animal groups of these ecosystems.
• Ability to summarize and interpret water quality data from lotic and lentic systems.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
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;
OR
Licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners.
For additional information, please click on this
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Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:
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Health and Wellness:
Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.
Retirement Planning:
We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind.
Paid Time Off:
Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.
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Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
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01
Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03
Have you graduated 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?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you currently hold a Licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners?

• Yes
• No

05
Does your application demonstrate that you have 6 months' experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of surface and ground water resources including the following:

• Surface water hydrology
• Ground water hydrology
• Hydraulics
• Water resources engineering
• Natural resources conservation engineering
• Water supply engineering
• Water quality engineering
• Erosion and sediment transport
• Surface or ground water chemistry
• Watershed dynamics
• Limnology
• Stream or wetland ecology?

The Water Resources selective is distinct from the Water Supply, Waste Water, Water Quality, and Chemistry selectives in that the Water Resources selective applies to the management, engineering, and quality an...