Senior Wetlands Specialist
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
About Indiana Department of Environmental Management:
Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.
Role Overview:
This position exists within the Wetlands Section of the Office of Water Quality of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. This position is responsible for administering the 401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC) & the State Regulated Wetland Program.
Main responsibilities include:
- Use applicable laws, regulations, and technical expertise to administer state regulatory programs, including Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program (401 WQC) and the State Regulated Wetlands (i.e. Isolated Wetlands) Program and communicate with the public.
- Apply knowledge of biology, hydrology, plants, soils, stream characterization, and related wetland sciences and administrative expertise to assist in the development and implementation of wetland laws, regulations, and policies.
- Coordinate wetland program activities with stormwater program staff and as necessary investigate/document stormwater issues in the field to achieve efficient administration of both programs with an overall goal of compliance. Coordinate activities with other IDEM program areas and local, state, and federal agencies.
- Review applications for federal permits or licenses to ensure that permitted activities comply with state water quality standards.
- Review applications related to 401 WQC and state regulated wetlands to ensure that permitted activities, in aggregate, promote a net gain in high quality wetland and assure that compensatory mitigation will offset the loss of wetlands allowed by the permitting program.
- Provide internal and external consultation and training on permit requirements and technical wetland principles and theories.
- Prepare presentation materials and conduct outreach in response to public requests and program priorities.
- Participate on local, regional, and state committees related to program goals and objectives.
- Determine the applicability of complaints to program priorities; prioritize and follow-up on complaints and, where necessary, complete an investigation, update the complaint, and as appropriate issue an inspection report.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Check out our Compensation Calculator to see how much this salary is worth after employer funded benefits!
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Interprets laws, regulations and guidelines for assigned environmental program areas.
- Develops and modifies existing state programs to adapt to changes in federal or state legislation-mandated policy changes.
- Coordinates review of environmental projects and/or program area to meet program needs and objectives.
- Maintains a tracking system to ensure that projects are currently working through the appropriate program processes in acceptable timeframes.
- Prepares and provides a variety of written communications including responses to letters of inquiry from concerned citizens, elected representatives, government officials, and regulated entities.
- Chairs or facilitates a variety of work-related committees as needed.
- Utilizes programs and electronic database systems to meet program area needs. Serves as a subject matter expert on applicable systems in program area.
- Researches, analyzes, and reports on priority projects and their progress.
- May perform audits on environmental programs or facilities and make recommendations for corrective action or improvements.
- Provides technical assistance and/or evaluates compliance to environmental regulations and programs.
- Coordinates review of requests for variance and exemptions from environmental program regulations
- Reviews program plans for completeness, economic and technical feasibility, and environmental impact.
- Designs and directs projects regarding specific and complex environmental issues, providing technical expertise for analysis, interpretation, and logistics of projects.
- Prepares progress reports for management and senior leadership and provides consultation to management and staff.
- Reviews and evaluates technical work reports and supporting data for acceptability and conformance with federal requirements, laws and regulations, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Assigns and reviews work of lower-level staff members.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
- a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, or a related field
- Six (6) years of work experience in an environmental or environmental public health field
Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
- Extensive knowledge of theories, practices and principles of Environmental Management and related areas
- Thorough knowledge of theories, practices, and principals of physical sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) as they relate to program area
- Thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations as they apply to program area and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations
- Ability to conduct surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, read plans, interpret findings, and make recommendations
- Ability to establish long- and short-term project management goals and objectives
- Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action
- Ability to effectively interact with local, state, and federal groups and government representatives orally and in writing
- Ability to prepare accurate and thorough reports
- Ability to develop and define procedures and accomplish objectives within the appropriate and established deadlines
- Ability to interpret and implement public policy as it relates to program specific environmental rules or laws
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis