Water Specialist

Salary: $1,700 - $2,078 semi-monthly

Job Location: This position is with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, Kansas City Regional Office, and will be located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Why you’ll love this position:

The Water Section protects environmental quality in 19 counties in West-Northwest Missouri by helping people and organizations use our natural resources responsibly for the benefit of all Missourians. The Kansas City Regional Office encompasses both urban and rural communities that allows for a wide-ranging variety of regulatory scenarios. You can make a positive impact by helping Missouri’s regulated community understand, and comply, with wastewater environmental rules and regulations.

This position will provide technical assistance to wastewater treatment systems and operator certification training for wastewater operators to ensure all our citizens and visitors have safe water. A successful candidate will combine a positive attitude with a solid foundation of scientific and technical knowledge, have good written and verbal communication skills, and will be adept at research and deductive reasoning. This position works to train operators and help them improve the operation of wastewater treatment facilities.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources protects our air, land, water, and mineral resources; preserves our unique natural and historic places; and provides recreational and learning opportunities; while promoting the environmentally sound and energy-efficient operations of businesses, communities, agriculture, and industry for the benefit of all Missourians.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and coordinate the resources for the mandatory operator certification training for wastewater operators in the Kansas City region that entails developing training resources, for virtual, classroom, in-plant, and one-on-one training, and administering State of Missouri operator certification tests.
• Investigate permit violations, follow-up on compliance schedules, and work with team members and facilities to help prevent enforcement action.
• Communicate feedback to management and the Water Protection Program on policies based on field observations and suggest changes in their development.
• Provide compliance assistance to facilities in person, over the telephone, email, and other electronic means.
• Communicate with the public, including receiving concerns from the public, investigating those concerns, and communicating your findings with the concerned parties.
• Review, monitor, and evaluate operator training materials provided by trainers other than Department team members.
• Provide technical and regulatory assistance to Department team members, consulting firms, professional operators, and other wastewater officials.
• Conduct orientation and on-the-job training of other employees in wastewater treatment and collection theory and processes of operation and control.
• Respond to other duties as assigned, including infrequent response to environmental emergencies.

All you need for success:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of 2-4 years of relevant experience. Professional experience in wastewater operations may substitute for required college education.
• Requirements include a Level “C” or higher drinking water or wastewater operator certification.
• Knowledge of applicable environmental laws, regulations, and other requirements and practices related to wastewater treatment facilities, and knowledge of regulatory processes.
• Experience with sampling and analysis of various environmental media, environmental inspection work, training of staff, experience and/or formal education in wastewater, and emergency management.
• Ability to travel within the region and state to conduct work and attend trainings.
• Ability to climb stairs, traverse rough and uneven terrain, lift and carry up to 50 pounds of equipment, while working in an office, outdoors, and/or in various industrial environments.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, software, and databases.
• A valid driver’s license is required for this position.
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels.
• Commitment to customer service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possession of a current Missouri Class “A” certificate of competency for wastewater treatment or drinking water treatment. Individuals with water or wastewater operator certification from another state are encouraged to apply if the certificate is active, in good standing, and it was achieved by successfully passing the examination in that state. Missouri certification may be possible through reciprocity for states with comparable certification requirements.
• Four years of in-plant operating experience in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater system classified by the Department of Natural Resources as a Level “A”, “B”, “C” or equivalent.
• Self-motivation and the ability to perform work activities without oversight.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

More reasons to love this position:

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position please contact:

Terrie Williams, 816-251-0747 or terrie.williams@dnr.mo.gov

or

Aarick Roberto (DNR Recruiter), (573) 522-1503 or Aarick.Roberto@dnr.mo.gov

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.