Environmental Engineer

Full Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.

Are you a soon-to-be or recent graduate looking to launch your career with meaningful public service and gain immediate, hands-on experience while working alongside a dedicated, experience team?

Are you an Environmental Engineer looking for a change that offers a compelling sense of mission and better work-life balance and flexibility?

If so, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Engineer to join our dedicated team within the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites section of the Land Quality Bureau.

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the protection of Iowa's environment and public health.

In this position, you will play a key role in supporting the Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites team within the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Program, the Industrial Landfill Program, the Coal Combustion Residue Program, and the Construction & Demolition Landfill Program.

Your work will be centered around technical review and project management for Solid Waste Sanitary Landfills. You will spend most of your time acting as a technical reviewer.

This involves reading and evaluating engineering plans, site reports, and environmental monitoring data for existing or proposed landfills before they can be permitted.

You'll also conduct site visits as needed and be responsible for managing your projects to ensure they continue working towards completion or resolution.

This position requires both verbal and written communication, including coordinating with DNR field office staff on project-specific and site issues; meetings with internal and external stakeholders e.g., solid waste agencies and their representatives, engineers, vendors, citizens, and private and public entities; and providing responses to public inquiries and requests for technical and regulatory information regarding your programs.

**College or university students that are pending graduation in May 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, Biomedical, or Public Health Engineering are eligible to apply for this position.**

Essential Functions

Read and comprehend plans and specifications for solid waste management operations and, as related to this understanding, perform technical calculations;

Use computers and basic computer software products for the purposes of data management, performing analytical functions, and generating reports, tables, and charts;

Present engineering and technical facts, data, and conclusions clearly and concisely, both orally and in written documents;

Develop, read, comprehend, and analyze laws, rules, reports, and related technical documents;

Travel with some overnight stays;

Organize and manage numerous project files;

Effectively communicate with applicants and the public;

Must have the capacity to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress;

Critical Job Competencies

Accountability, Common Sense, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Focus, High Productivity, Integrity, Interpersonal Skills, Project Management, Self-Management, Team Player, and Technical Skills (solid waste/engineer).

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.

Ensure you are kept up-to-date of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from info@govermentjobs.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.

E-Verify and Right to Work
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.

Qualifications

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;Licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.