Job Description
Job Description
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a highly motivated Environmental Specialist to help manage regulatory activities for the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Third-Party Compliance Inspection Program. This program plays a vital role in safeguarding public health and the environment by ensuring that underground petroleum storage systems meet federal and state environmental regulations.
This position is ideal for an individual with a regulatory background and technical knowledge of environmental science who excels at compliance oversight, data management, and stakeholder engagement. The Department is also interested in teaching these skills to a recent or pending college graduate.
What You'll Be Doing/Key Responsibilities You will be a central authority for UST compliance and enforcement, focusing on both active sites and leaking UST (LUST) cleanup efforts.
Compliance & Oversight - Manage Third-Party Inspection Program: Oversee the integrity and consistency of third-party inspection reports, address inspector deficiencies, and track inspection frequency across all active UST sites.
- Enforcement Action: Utilize various compliance measures, including delivery prohibition, Notices of Violation, and legal referrals, to ensure owner/operators meet all operational requirements (IAC Chapters 567 - 134, 135, and 136).
- Technical Assistance: Provide expert guidance on UST rules and technical standards, including leak detection, cathodic protection, and installation requirements, to owners, contractors, and consultants.
- Database Management: Track all compliance activities and schedules in the Tanks database, assisting in data maintenance and program performance improvements.
Leaking UST (LUST) & Closure Review - Cleanup Oversight: Review complex technical reports (e.g., Tier 1, 2, and 3 risk-based corrective action reports) for LUST sites to ensure compliance with cleanup goals and regulatory guidance.
- Review Documentation: Review and process closure reports to determine if additional assessment and/or corrective actions are necessary.
Coordination & Reporting - Inter-Office Communication: Schedule and lead meetings with Central and Field Office staff to clarify policy, exchange knowledge, and achieve consensus on program operation.
- EPA Liaison: Assist the supervisor in maintaining a positive relationship with EPA Region 7, ensuring program work plans meet grant obligations and preparing semi-annual performance reports.
Why Join Our Team? This position offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of environmental protection, utilizing technical standards and regulatory authority to make tangible, lasting improvements to Iowa's environment. You'll operate as a key expert in a complex, high-impact program area.
Essential Functions - Review UST facility biennial compliance inspection reports to determine compliance with operational standards.
- Respond to identified compliance deficiencies or violations with compliance letters or enforcement action.
- Conduct follow up to confirmed or suspected petroleum releases as reported through inspections, by notifying DNR field personnel, and requiring UST owner/operator to repair equipment and conduct environmental investigation as necessary.
- Provides technical assistance to licensed UST professionals including technical presentations at training events for licensed UST professionals.
- Investigates deficiencies in workmanship by licensed UST professionals and prepares documentation for disciplinary action when warranted.
- Facilitates meetings between Central Office and Field personnel to review and clarify policy issues, exchange
experience and knowledge on technical and procedural matters, and identify work priorities.
- Compiles and summarizes UST compliance data for semi-annual reporting to EPA.
- Assist supervisor in the development of grant work plans annually to meet EPA obligations.
- Reviews various UST and LUST reports for completeness and compliance with departmental rules and guidance.
- Reviews, interprets, and effectively communicates information about federal and state laws, rules, regulations,
standards, and guidance.
- Writes professional review letters, documents, and electronic mail correspondence in English using proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
Critical Job Competencies Accountability, Attention to Detail, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Focus, High Productivity, Integrity, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Project Management, Self-Management, Team Player, and Technical Skills - Underground and Leaking Underground Storage Tanks.
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 $64/month for single and $210/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.
- 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)
- The State’s total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
- Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
- Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).
- Workout/Gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave.
Comments 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.
College or university students that are pending graduation in December 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science are eligible to apply for this position.
Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from info@governmentjobs.com . This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.
DNR Application Tips
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.
Minimum Qualification 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 the required education.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .
Job Tags
Full time, For contractors, Work at office, Remote work, Flexible hours,