Environmental Specialist Supervisor

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting Closes: October 19, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: October 19, 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.

If you are an OPT or STEM OPT applicant, please note that all individuals must maintain valid employment authorization and an unexpired EAD.

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 Range: $28.59-$31.53
• 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 (K0076233)

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Monitoring, Assessment, and Science Section, part of the Bureau of Water, is seeking an Environmental Specialist Supervisor to serve as the Stream Biology and Fish Tissue Unit Chief. This unit oversees the collection of aquatic macroinvertebrate specimens and in some cases, water quality samples, to assess biodiversity, habitat health, and surface water quality, which includes the capture of fish and tissue sampling to assess fish tissue contaminants. This position supervises staff who conduct field sampling, habitat assessment, interpret and perform statistical analysis of water quality data, and the identification of water quality problems and environmental pollutant sources. Manages planning and implementation of annual data collection efforts, data interpretation and report writing, data entry in state’s water quality database, and the annual submission to federal water quality database. Assists with the preparation of annual reports, such as the biennial Section Integrated report. The incumbent may participate in field work and special projects, as needs arise, travel of 2-3 days per month is anticipated.

Stream Biological Monitoring Program: Directs the management of the stream biological monitoring program in accordance with written quality control requirements, standard operating procedures, and Kansas personnel and travel policies. Prime responsibilities include planning and oversight of program's operation, supervising staff involved with monitoring efforts and coordinating monitoring to serve the needs of other programs, including TMDL evaluations, nonpoint source WRAPs projects, and NPDES surveillance, maintenance and safeguarding of program aquatic biological databases, participating in field sampling, laboratory analytical and taxonomic activities (as needed), training staff assigned to monitoring program, part or full-time, scheduling site visits and selecting biological sampling based on historic routines, current budgetary constraints, and immediate strategic need of agency, conducting quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) checks on current and historic data to ensure accuracy of data in representing biological condition of Kansas streams, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.

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

Stream Probabilistic Biological Monitoring Program. Directs the management of the stream probabilistic biological monitoring program in accordance with written quality control requirements, standard operating procedures, and Kansas personnel and travel policies. Prime responsibilities include planning and oversight of program's operation, supervising staff involved with monitoring efforts in support of National Rivers and Streams Surveys conducted in coordination with EPA. maintenance and safeguarding of program aquatic biological databases, participating in field sampling, laboratory analytical and taxonomic activities (as needed), training staff assigned to monitoring program, part or full-time, scheduling site visits and selecting probabilistic biological sampling based on historic routines, current budgetary constraints, and immediate strategic need of agency, conducting quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) checks on current and historic data to ensure accuracy of data in representing biological condition of Kansas streams, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.

Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Operations: Manages fish tissue contaminant program in accordance with written quality control requirements, standard operating procedures, and Kansas personnel and travel policies. Prime responsibilities include planning and oversight of monitoring activities, coordination of program operations, supervising staff involved with monitoring efforts and coordination with various cooperating agencies (e.g., EPA, USFWS, KDWP), development and periodic revision of fish and shellfish consumption advisories (and other related public health advisories), maintenance and safeguarding of departmental fish tissue contaminant databases, training staff assigned to fish tissue contaminant monitoring, part or full-time, selecting fish tissue contaminant sampling based on historic routines, current budgetary constraints, and immediate strategic need of agency, and documenting QA/QC assessment of data annually.

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 environmental, agricultural or natural sciences/resources and two years of experience in the field of environmental/agricultural sciences or natural sciences/resources.

• Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelors in biology, chemistry, or environmental science.
  • Masters in a relevant field of environmental science, ecology, or natural resource management
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Statistical analysis and software
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Quality assurance/control procedures
  • Proficiency in fish and aquatic invertebrate taxonomy
  • Oracle database
  • Federal data exchange programs and databases
  • Experience with the management of ambient surface water quality monitoring programs and aquatic
  • Previous supervisory experience
  • Experience working with databases, statistical, GIS, and computer software

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

Employees must obtain and maintain Red Cross certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid.

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@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 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.