<p>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 Specialist Senior in the Mines & Minerals Bureau.</p> <p>The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is currently seeking a motivated individual to fill the role of Environmental Specialist Senior. As an integral part of the Mines and Minerals Bureau team, this individual plays a crucial role in improving water quality, and re-creating wildlife habitat by serving as a lead worker for planning, developing, and managing projects for Iowa's Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program. This position includes frequent field work, working with private landowners, engineers, contractors, and developing grant applications and completing reports. </p> <p>Duties of the selected candidate will include, but may not be limited to;</p> <p>Program and Project Implementation, Construction and Maintenance:</p> <ul> <li>Works with engineering consulting firms and contractors to carry out and complete reclamation projects. </li><li>Conducts stakeholder meetings including landowners, public entities, and partnering agencies for collaboration on project development. </li><li>Make recommendations for maintenance needs on completed projects. </li><li>Reviews site inventories and environmental assessments completed by staff  </li><li>Overseas professional service contracts for engineering consulting firms for the development of construction project specifications and designs. </li><li>Attend monthly construction contract meetings, reviews completed work and approved pay applications in accordance with contract documents. </li></ul> <p>Program and Project Planning, Development, Design and Inventory:</p> <ul> <li>Serves on the contract selection committee for the Division, as assigned for the selection of design firms for projects. </li><li>Conducts meetings with stakeholders, engineers, and private landowners. </li><li>Maintains relationships with local government subdivisions in counties where MMB reclamation projects are undertaken. Develop public notice documents </li><li>Assists with preparation of annual grant applications and collects information for annual reporting requirements </li><li>Conducts inventory activities of sites in preparation of developing the required environmental clearances from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Society, and other regulatory agencies. </li></ul> <p>Administration:</p> <ul> <li>Serves as lead worker for planning and developing projects and program elements for Iowa's AML Program. </li><li>Directs staff time and coordinates workload for collection of data and input for environmental assessments. Reviews and analyzes data and inputs with regard to environmental priorities and concerns of other agencies. </li><li>Monitors and tracks professional service contracts for consultant deliverables concerning reclamation project design and construction. </li><li>Reviews monthly invoices and assigns cost codes for processing claims for payment submitted by environmental consultants, engineering firms, contractors and other vendors. </li></ul> <p>Essential Functions:</p> <ul> <li>Ability to perform project site visits and traverse sites. This may require walking in steep and/or uneven terrain in all weather conditions; moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds; reaching above the shoulders and below the waist; walking or traveling manually up to 2 miles per day. </li><li>Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences and clients </li><li>Maintain valid Iowa drivers license </li></ul> <p>Go to this links to learn more about the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Mines and Minerals Bureau https://iowaagriculture.gov/  and https://iowaagriculture.gov/mines-and-minerals-bureau</p> <p>Applicants may submit a cover letter and resume describing their relevant experience. Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process. </p> <p>As an employee of IDALS you are a State of Iowa employee and eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:</p> <ul> <li>Low out of pocket, high quality family medical insurance as low as $187.00 per month, single as low as $56.00 per month </li><li>Dental insurance is free for single and $45.00 per month for family coverage </li><li>$20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, voluntary supplemental life for an additional cost, and long term disability insurance at no cost </li><li>Exceptional retirement package includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan </li><li>In addition to IPERS a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month </li><li>Paid leave includes - 9 holidays, sick, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave </li></ul> <p>To learn more about benefits available as a State of Iowa Employee click here benefits to visit the web page.</p> <p>E-Verify and Right to Work</p> <p>The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.</p> <p>Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a Natural Science and three years of full time professional scientific experience in an environmental program in the areas of water supply, waste water, animal feeding operations, hazardous substances, radiation, sewage treatment, solid waste, geology, history, archeology, flood plain, air pollution, dam safety, or underground storage tanks;</p> <p>OR</p> <p>an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required full-time professional work for each 30 semester hours of the required education;</p> <p>OR</p> <p>an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting thirty semester hours of accredited graduate level coursework in a Natural Science, history, or archeology for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years;</p> <p>OR</p> <p>employees with current continuous experience in the State of Iowa Executive Branch that includes twenty-four months of full-time work as an Environmental Specialist or Environmental Engineer.</p> <p>For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.</p>