Environmental Specialist

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: September 16, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: September 16, 2026

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9 . KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here . For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here .

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

About The Position

• Who can apply: External ( Open to Anyone)
• 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
• Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.
  
  

Compensation:

• Pay rate:
• $25.94-$28.59
• 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

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary: Position (K0229186)

The Bureau of Air, Permitting Unit, is seeking a candidate for an Environmental Specialist position. Responsibilities include review of construction and operating permit applications, source information, air emission calculations, and other documents provided by permit applicants for compliance with the Clean Air Act federal regulations and Kansas Air Quality Regulations.

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

Reviews air quality applications from assigned facilities for State Construction Permits; State Construction Approvals; Class I Operating Permits and Class II Operating Permits. Applications are reviewed to ensure compliance with provisions of the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs), and State of Kansas air quality regulations. Applications are reviewed to ensure all necessary air quality information is provided by permit applicant. Incumbent reviews technical air quality reports, environmental plans and specifications for the construction or modification of air pollution control facilities to determine if facility designers have made accurate and appropriate conclusions in their preparation of air permit applications. Air quality permit applications emission calculations are analyzed to ensure compliance with sound engineering practices and established air quality standards. Analysis of air quality control technology to reduce emissions and ensure compliance with environmental regulations in air permits is performed. Incumbent directly contacts environmental and engineering consultants, planners, and designers to resolve any questions. Verifies that all air quality regulations in permit applications are appropriate for the type and class of permit requested.

Develop permits including Class I and Class II Operating permits and Construction permits. Review must ensure that emissions from both new construction and modifications do not cause or contribute to violations of the NAAQS and assure new construction and modifications will comply with all applicable air quality regulations. Operating Permits consist in the development of a single document which contains all air quality requirements with which the source must comply. Permits are developed to ensure adherence to all federal and State regulations and Bureau of Air policies and procedures. Once a draft permit has been completed and gone through an internal concurrence process, the permit is issued to the applicant. All construction approvals, construction permits, and operating permits are reviewed by supervisor and section chief. All reviews occur at the time a draft permit has been submitted for concurrence.

Assured that all statutory, regulatory, contractual and procedural requirements have been satisfied prior to issuance of a permit, including notifications to EPA required by agreement with the EPA. This final step in the issuance of less complex and routine permits is to ensure that EPA air permit requirements have been met by verifying compliance with all aspects of the Clean Air Act, as indicated by the state's air pollution control strategies listed in the State implementation Plan submitted to EPA. These requirements are usually reviewed during the internal concurrence process; however, EPA does review and comment on some of these permits, in addition to auditing the Bureau of Air's permit program. During the permit concurrence process, work is reviewed by supervisor and section chief for compliance with Kansas Air Quality Act, related regulations and federal Clean Air Act requirements.

Qualifications

environmental laws

• 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:
• A bachelor's degree in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology or related natural science is preferred.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Education in an Environmental Science related curriculum
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Experience ability in interpretation and application of federal, state and local
• Experience ability to work with municipal and industrial officials, federal and state officials
• Knowledge of air pollution or other environmental pollution management
• Knowledge of business and administrative management methods and practices
• Knowledge of statistical and mathematical models applied to the analysis of environmental data
• Knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of environmental pollutants
  
  

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a state job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions .

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Tracey N. Benson

Email: Tracey.N.Benson @kdhe.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 in all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included in 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 determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How To Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

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.