Waste Processing Specialist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: January 13, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: January 13, 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.

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:

$25.68-$28.31

• 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 (K

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment-Bureau of Waste Management (BWM) is seeking an individual with strong organizational and analytical skills to review applications for waste permits and other requests for approval. This position will be responsible for handling a wide range of topics, so a desire for varied work is preferrable. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment offers a positive work environment with flexible work hours, competitive benefits, and work/life balance. The typical work week is 40 hours. Occasional travel may be required.

A successful candidate will process permit applications, modify permit documents, and handle other requests. Records will be appropriately filed and information updated in our environmental database. Job responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Reviewing technical and scientific literature

• Reviewing Kansas and other state or federal regulations
• Processing permit applications for solid waste processing facilities
• Managing existing solid waste processing permits
• Reviewing applications to land farm petroleum contaminated soil
• Reviewing applications to beneficially use industrial byproducts
• Act as a back-up to process special waste disposal authorizations
• Manage filing systems and database systems
• Creating reports from database information
• Assist with uncontaminated soil determinations
• Answer questions about management of medical waste

PERMITS: Reviews, under general supervision of the Chief of the Solid Waste Processing Unit, solid waste processing permit applications, plans/specifications, reports and associated documents regarding the design, construction, operation, and closure of land farm facilities requiring a permit, medical waste incinerators, medical waste autoclaves, medical waste transfer stations, antifreeze processing, oil filter crushing, wood waste processing, construction and demolition waste sorting, electronic waste processing, and any other miscellaneous solid waste activities deemed to be "processing". Such reviews will assure that all requirements are met prior to recommending the issuance of a permit by using knowledge of the applicable statutes and regulations and by using scientific knowledge of the relevant environmental factors involved in the proposed process. The permit process includes application review, permit writing, and conducting the public notice period. If the application is for a new facility and there is significant public interest, employee organizes and conducts a public hearing. Following the public process responses are prepared to any public comments received. If applicable, additional information is requested from the applicant to address the public comments. Subsequently, prepares a permit issuance package for departmental concurrence and after approval by senior management issues the permit.

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

BENEFICIAL USE: Reviews under general direction the beneficial use of solid wastes to ensure that human health and safety and the environment (soil, water, flora, and fauna) are not adversely affected. Reviews may include review of literature including technical guidance and scientific papers, review of health and safety limits for various compounds, and consultation with other professionals. Employee will work with the Chief of the Solid Waste Processing Unit to identify areas of beneficial use that would benefit from new policies and possibly new regulations to better address incoming applications.

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:
• 4 years of experience in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology or a related natural science
• 4 years of experience in natural science or an engineering related degree
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
• Database experience
• Excel VBA, SQL, or other coding experience
• Experience working with soil properties
• Environmental regulatory experience
• Experience with environmental sampling results
• 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 Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Tracey N. Benson

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 : "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 : "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 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 , scanned and emailed to , 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.

Salary : $26 - $28