Professional Geologist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: July 4, 2022
• Required documents uploaded by: July 4, 2022

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency head is Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. We are made up for three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health care finance (which includes KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof. This allows us to take a holistic approach to the health and well-being of all Kansans.

http://www.kdheks.gov/

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Hourly/Annually Pay Range:

• Geology Trainee - $20.13 per hour
• Geology Associate - $23.31 per hour
• Professional Geologist - $56,118.40 annually

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0241487)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a Geology opening.This position is responsible for managing soil and groundwater pollution sites within the Storage Tank Section; evaluating monitoring data; and tracking general progress to ensure projects are completed within time frames established by state law and budgets. Reviews project-specific documents within program guidelines that include 30-day review time frames. Provides field oversight and regulatory management of soil and groundwater pollution sites to assure the public is adequately protected and work complies with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations. The position is based in the KDHE Topeka office.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Serve as project manager in the (groundwater) Monitoring Unit where ongoing investigation, monitoring and clean-up are occurring. Evaluate investigative, monitoring and general remedial progress to ensure projects are completed. Review site specific data and information to determine the appropriate course of action which will provide adequate protection to the public. Interact with consultants and the public regarding sites under the employee's management. Review and interpret reports to determine if contaminant plumes are being monitored adequately. Reviews and evaluates geologic and hydrogeologic technical work plans, proposals, and reports for completeness, accuracy, and technical adequacy. This includes analysis and interpretation of geologic and other technical data to identify and develop solutions to project specific environmental problems in the state.

Renew monitoring scopes of work. Review site monitoring information to determine what the appropriate course of action will be for sites up for renewal and to renew the scopes of work as needed. Develop renewal letters and cost sheets and negotiate costs with the assigned vendors. Prepare approval letters with cost sheets and send them to the Trust Fund applicants. Complete the renewal process within a time frame established by the supervisor and determined from the date the previous scope of work was finalized. Establish an adequate balance between cost and providing adequate protection to the public. Determine site closure for sites that meet the Tier 2 Risk Based Corrective Action criteria established by the section. Work directly with Trust Fund vendors and applicants.

Develop additional scopes of work for assigned sites as needed. Identify problematic issues and prioritize work accordingly for managed sites. Problematic issues may include well repairs, well plugging, well installation, additional data collection, and free product recovery activities. Approve additional scopes of work in a timely manner that will ensure that the overall goals of the monitoring program are preserved. Track the completed additional scopes of work and ensure the work is completed in accordance with the Monitoring Request for Proposal (MON RFP). Identify scopes of work that have not been completed correctly and initiate enforcement actions. Communicate and work with vendors, district office staff and other staff within the section to accomplish this task.

Develop Monitoring Bid packages. Review monitoring, summary, investigation and other site specific information to establish recommendations for sites to be let for bid. Develop site specific information, cost sheets and appropriate documentation for each bid package. Conduct comprehensive technical evaluations to ensure the bid package adequately defines and monitors existing contaminants and site conditions. Conduct the necessary site reconnaissance. Respond to technical inquiries concerning the monitoring bid packages. Work with previous project managers, applicants, bidding vendors, spreadsheets and word processing software to complete the bid process.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • High School, GED
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in geology/hydrogeology/earth science/geoscience or other related field.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and databases
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Experience communicating effectively and professionally with the public and internally with fellow staff.
  • Experience working with the Kansas Storage Tank Program and related Federal and State regulations
  • Experience working with the petroleum contaminated tank sites
  • Experience managing a large number of sites and prioritizing work load
  • Experience working with the Kansas Risk-Based Corrective Action evaluation process.
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • The employee will be required to take the OSHA 40-Hour Personal Protection and Safety Course for handling hazardous materials within the first year of employment.
  • The incumbent shall be certifiable by a doctor for use of a respirator within the first year of employment.

Recruiter Contact Information

• Name: Sharon Dew
• Email: Sharon.c.dew@ks.gov
• Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• Transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.