Environment Section Chief

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: Open Until Filled

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: 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
• Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

Compensation:

• Annual Pay Range: $85,000
• 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:

The position (K0224236)

Plans, organizes and directs the operations of the Radiation Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (ECL), Chemical Terrorism and Blood Lead Program staff. Supervises and directs unit managers to promote teamwork and cross-training for the section's staff; oversees the analytical work of the section to ensure that accurate environmental data is provided to all customers, both within and outside of the agency; monitors the status and function of laboratory instrumentation, equipment, and expendables necessary for requirements of the Division of Environment; and participates in senior laboratory management meetings.

Serves as Chemical Terrorism Coordinator for the Laboratory Response Network and CDC. Approve data submission and submit quarterly reports of the unit's activities. Serve as Technical Supervisor for the blood lead testing program. Supervise unit and maintain a consistent QA program following CLIA requirements.

Implements, maintains, and monitors a rigorous quality assurance program consistent with current recommendations to assess and assure reliability and quality of laboratory data for EPA, TNI and CLIA. Evaluates and directs corrective actions as needed. Plans and directs the development or modification of analytical methods to assure current and acceptable methods are being used to meet state and federal regulatory requirements. Develops and implements a maintenance program and procedures to maximize analytical performance and instrument life. Specifies maintenance activities and ensures these activities are carried out and documented according to plan.

Supervises managers and directs supervision of professional and technical staff in the performance of their work. Makes work assignments. Reviews daily operations to assure efficient, timely and accurate chemical analyses. Reviews performance and conducts evaluations of technical and professional staff and indicates areas needing improvement or provides positive feedback. Determine staffing and training needs. Responsible for recruitment, training, review and supervision of qualified laboratory staff. Interviews, evaluates and selects candidates for employment.

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

Responds to verbal and written communications with professional personnel in private industry, federal, state and local governmental agencies to resolve problems and answer questions. Represents the Environmental Section at meetings and conferences to provide technical information and resolve problems. Coordinates assigned functions and activities of the EC Lab with other bureaus and divisions of the agency.

Review and update standard operating procedures annually. Provide direction for a quality assurance program for the laboratory section that meets all drinking water and NELAC certification requirements and ensures tests are performed in accordance with current good laboratory practices.

Qualifications

• Education:
• 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 or 4 years of experience in chemistry or environmental science with a minimum of 5-year hands-on experience performing environment testing, preferably EPA standard methods, in a public or commercial laboratory.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience managing regulated environment laboratories.
  • Thorough knowledge of EPA, TNI/NELAC, LRN, and CLIA regulations.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
  • Advanced experience in MS Office Suite, including MS Excel and MS Outlook.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced Degree in chemistry or environmental science
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Two years of related laboratory management experience
  • Five years of analytical chemistry laboratory experience
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • 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. A 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 you 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 a 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: Kyle Sanders

Email: kyle.sanders@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.

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 a 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.