Environmental Engineer - Middle Cedar Watershed

About the role

IDALS seeks to fill the position of Environmental Engineer in the Field Services Bureau. This full-time position is located in the Middle Cedar Watershed (Franklin, Butler, Grundy, Black Hawk, Tama, Benton, or Linn County) and involves engineering and technical support for the installation of conservation practices and programs under the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

The selected candidate must possess a valid Iowa Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one and hold a degree in engineering. This role requires travel as part of regular job duties.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering and technical support for conservation practices and programs, including field survey work and site assessments to verify suitability for practice installation.
• Attend meetings with landowners, technicians, and engineers to review preliminary designs and ensure specifications are met.
• Perform quality assurance and control for project plans and specifications provided by engineering consultants.
• Assist with development and submittal of information for permits, including US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404, DNR Floodplain, and Water Storage permits, including cultural resources assessments.
• Assist with review of construction bidding and contracting documents, attend pre-bid meetings, and process contractor and consulting engineer pay requests.
• Conduct periodic site visits during construction and assist with processing pay requests.
• Review edge-of-field practices and provide technical assistance to watershed coordinators, environmental specialists, and technicians collecting field data.
• Visit completed sites in need of repairs or non-routine maintenance, recommend remedies, and ensure corrective work is completed.
• Provide training and guidance to technicians, SWCD employees, and environmental specialists on field data collection and survey techniques for water quality infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with IDALS, NRCS, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts on progress, issues, and work priorities.
• Participate in bureau staff meetings and provide regular updates on work duties and tasks.
• Provide written communication to regional basin coordinators, field representatives, and DSCWQ staff regarding requests for assistance and task completion issues.

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.
• Possession of a valid Iowa Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one.
• Must meet one of the following selective requirements:
  • Environmental Engineering: 6 months of experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in engineering focused on reducing pollution, contamination, or environmental deterioration.
  • Civil Engineering: 6 months of experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in survey crew work, construction inspection, or professional civil engineering, including the ability to read blueprints, plans, or specifications.
  • Agricultural Engineering: 6 months of experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in machinery and power systems, structural design, mechanical analysis, ventilation, or climate control.

Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a federal background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance with low out-of-pocket costs: as low as $187.00 per month for family coverage and $56.00 per month for single coverage.
• Dental insurance: free for single coverage and $45.00 per month for family coverage.
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, with options for voluntary supplemental life and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
• Retirement package including IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System), a defined benefit pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan with a state match of up to $75.00 per month.
• Paid leave including 9 holidays, sick leave, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave.