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Posted: January 27, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Environmental Engineer-Soil Conservation and Water Quality - Polk Co

State of Iowa

009 Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Fresh

Location

Salary

$36.44 - $56.11

per hour

Closes

February 11, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading the design, installation, and oversight of water quality projects like wetlands and edge-of-field practices to improve Iowa's environment, while also providing expert support for mine-related emergencies when needed.

The role requires working with landowners, contractors, and consultants to ensure projects meet standards and get necessary permits.

It's a great fit for an experienced engineer who enjoys hands-on fieldwork, technical problem-solving, and collaborating on conservation efforts in agriculture.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in civil, agricultural, or environmental engineering or a related field
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license in Iowa or eligibility to obtain one
  • At least 5 years of experience in environmental engineering, particularly in water quality or soil conservation
  • Knowledge of wetland design, edge-of-field practices, and Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
  • Experience with permitting processes, including US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 and DNR permits
  • Ability to perform site visits, review designs, and provide technical assistance to teams
  • Strong skills in project management, quality assurance, and emergency response for mining sites

Full Job Description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

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 Engineer Senior in the Water Resources Bureau.

Specifically, the selected candidate will serve as a lead engineering and technical expert overseeing installation of water quality infrastructure practices in support of the Iowa Water Quality initiative(WQI) and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy; and will serve the Mines and Minerals Bureau as a lead engineering and technical expert for mine related emergencies on an as-needed basis.

Duties of the selected candidate will include,but may not be limited;

  • Perform initial site visit and assist to verify eligibility of site for wetland development and suitability for practice installation prior to execution of a contract for outsourced engineering.
  • Attend meetings with landowners and engineering consultant to review preliminary design to ensure specifications are met.
  • Assist with review of final design and specification submit engineering consultant.

    Provide quality assurance and quality control with respect to project plans specifications furnished to IDALS by engineering consultants.

    Provide technical assistance as needed to representatives of engineering consultants.

    Assist with development and submittal of information needed for various permits, including US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 and DNR Floodplain and Water Storage permits.

    This includes cultural resources assessments needed to expedite permitting processes and potential modification of designs depending on potential findings.

  • Assist with review of construction bidding and contracting documents, attend pre-bid meetings and bid openings associated with water quality infrastructure projects bid by IDALS.
  • Perform periodic site visits during construction and assist with processing of contractor and consulting engineer pay requests.
  • Provide review of other edge-of-field practices and provide technical assistance to watershed coordinators and environmental specialists,andtechnicianswhoarecollectingfielddataforthose projects.
  • Complete design of smaller wetlands and edge-of-field projects where it is determined that in-house design will be more efficient and cost effective.
  • Visit completed sites in need of repairs or non-routine maintenance. Work with landowner and contractor to recommend appropriate remedy and ensure work is completed correctly.
  • Provide training and guidance technicians,SWCD employees, and environmental specialists on field data collection and survey techniques necessary for design and installation of water quality infrastructure practices.

For Mines and Minerals Bureau mine-related emergencies, duties will include,but not be limited to;

  • Assist Mines and Minerals Bureau staff with initial site visit to determine whether or not a site is a mine-related emergency and if additional site investigations is recommended to make that determination.
  • Assist with developing proposal for additional investigation where required based on the site conditions.
  • Make observations during drilling borings or tes pit operations that are used to further evaluate a potential emergency site and provide a report of the findings.
  • Assist with development of engineering plans and specifications for sites determined to be an emergency.
  • Make observations during reclamation of the emergency, verifying quantities for payment purposes, and preparing a final report of the mitigation of the emergency hazard.

Go to these links to learn more about the Water Resources Bureau.https://iowaagriculture.gov/water-resources-bureauand https://iowaagriculture.gov/video

Applicants may submit a cover letter and resume describing the irrelevant experience.Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process.

As an employee of IDALS you are a State of Iowa employees and eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Low Out pocket,high quality family medical insurance as low as $210.00 per month,single as low as $64.00 per month
  • Dental insurance is free for single and $48 per month for family coverage
  • $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, voluntary supplemental life for additional cost, and long term disability insurance at no cost
  • Exceptional retirement package include IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan
  • In addition to PERS a deferred compensation plan(similar to 401K)with a state match of up to $75.00 per month
  • Paid Leave Includes–9 holidays,sick,vacation,military leave,and jury duty leave

To learn more about benefits available as a State of Iowa Employee click here benefits to visit the web page.


E-Verify and Right to WorkThe 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.

Requirements

097 Civil Engineering 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or more of the following: • Survey crew • Construction inspector • Professional civil engineer Must be able to read blueprints, plans, and/or specifications.

OR

007 Agricultural Engineering 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both including knowledge in one or in a combination of the following areas: machinery and power systems, structural design, mechanical analysis or ventilation, and climate control.

OR

182 Environmental Engineering 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of engineering that is centered on the technology concerned with the reduction of pollution, contamination, and deterioration of the surroundings in which humans live.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, or Public Health Engineering and three years of full-time professional work in environmental engineering;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting thirty semester hours of accredited graduate level course work in Environmental, Sanitary, Civil, Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, or Public Health Engineering for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years;
OR
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.

Additional Information

Licensure as a Professional Engineer to practice in Iowa may be required at the option of the employing department within one year of employment.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/27/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/28/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-iowa-5209165