Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.
The Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a current resume and cover letter to their online application.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Water Quality Bureau is seeking a dynamic, self-starting, and highly collaborative professional to fill the role of Water Quality GIS Analyst (Geologist 3). This position is tailored for an energetic team player who enjoys working in a cross-functional environment and possesses the drive to take complex technical initiatives and independently run with them. Rather than operating in a data silo, you will serve as a vital storyteller and relationship-builder, bridging the gap between advanced spatial analytics and human-centric teamwork. You will work closely with a diverse team of internal water quality professionals, stakeholders, and state and federal agency partners to support the implementation of the Clean Water Act By turning complex monitoring data into clear, interactive visual tools, you will directly enhance public resource management with critical water quality spatial data.
Advanced Spatial Modeling & Clean Water Act Data Analysis
At the core of this role is the independent execution of high-level spatial analyses and data visualization using ESRI's ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and Spatial Analyst tools. The daily workflow involves processing LiDAR elevation data, applying basic remote sensing principles, and performing spatial modeling to simulate critical environmental processes such as erosion, sedimentation, nutrient transport, and runoff. You will be responsible for creating interactive online resources, paper and electronic maps, and digital story maps that translate Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment (WQMA) data into meaningful tools for public education and decision-making. Additional core responsibilities include managing data across various WQMA databases, maintaining detailed metadata, and collaborating with program staff to identify lake or wetland footprints and map impaired waters coverages for the biennial 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report.
Watershed Project Development & Field Implementation
This position demands a proactive approach to watershed project development, field implementation, and post-project evaluation. You will provide essential GIS data and technical guidance to watershed sponsors and project coordinators, utilizing tools like the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) and custom watershed characterization models. Furthermore, you will design mobile tools to collect field data and facilitate watershed fieldwork assessments targeting tillage practices, streambank and shoreline erosion, stream corridor characterization, and the location and condition of existing Best Management Practices (BMPs).
GIS Training, Technical Mentorship, & Liaison Duties
A defining aspect of this role is serving as an active technical mentor and educator for the bureau. You will regularly provide one-on-one coaching and organized training sessions to assist non-GIS professional staff and local project partners with basic to intermediate GIS needs and nonpoint source pollution reduction calculations. To build long-term capacity, you will author clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and build user-friendly map templates so that fellow staff can generate their own ongoing GIS products. Your communication and presentation skills will be utilized as you represent the Department at regional or national meetings, deliver formal presentations to public stakeholders, and serve as a liaison with other state and federal agencies. Finally, you will support data governance by collaborating with DNR staff and the Department of Management Division of Information Technology (DOM-DoIT) to establish unified enterprise data standards for all GIS-related projects.
Essential Functions:
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In relation to Water Quality Monitoring and Data: Performs high-level spatial analyses and produce documents using GIS software such as ESRI's ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, Spatial Analyst modeling tools, ArcGIS Online, and other platforms for data visualization.
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Utilizes computers and database computer software products for the purposes of managing watershed and water quality monitoring data, and project-based data sets, and for generating maps, reports, tables, charts, trends, story maps, and other data visualization products.
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Coordinates and develops mobile assessment tools for NPS and partners’ water quality improvement program projects
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Develops and maintains effective working relationships with staff, other state and federal agencies, , the regulated public, industry professionals, and local stakeholders
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Works closely with Water Quality Bureau Program staff to analyze data sets in order to effectively display and communicate water quality data. Create SOPs and templates so other bureau staff can produce their own ongoing GIS products for their projects.
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Work with water quality bureau staff on projects relating to the implementation of the Clean Water Act by utilizing GIS software and other computer software products.
Critical Job Competencies:
Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Communication Skills, Team Player, Customer Focus, Interpersonal Skills, Computer Skills, Self-Management Skills, Project Management, and Technical Skills in GIS Programs including but not limited to: ESRI's ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, Spatial Analyst modeling tools, ArcGIS Online, and other platforms for data visualization.
What You Get From Us:
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A competitive pay plan and rewarding work.
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Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
(Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage). -
Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually.
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Nine paid holidays/year.
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Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match.
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Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match.
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Professional training opportunities.
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Family friendly and professional work environment.
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Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling)
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The State’s total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information.
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Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor).
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Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor).
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Workout/Gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave.
Comments:
The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information.
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Pending Applicants: College or university students that are pending graduation in [MONTH} of 20[YY] with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science are eligible to apply for this position. (remove if not using)
Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from [email protected]. This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder.
DNR Application Tips
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employmentwebsite.
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
Iowa DNR Mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.
230 Geographic Information Systems (Department of Natural Resources)
18 semester hours of education or 1 year of experience that demonstrates the applicant has competencies in the following areas: • Ability to create, edit, import, export, project, and georeferenced GIS data. • Demonstrated proficiency with the major ESRI software products. These products include ArcView, ArcInfo, ArcGIS. • Utilize user-developed and/or ESRI scripts and extensions for incorporation and utilization in projects. • Ability to conduct spatial analyses and queries in order to answer complex questions relating to spatial data. • Ability to produce cartographic documents which clearly present outputs from spatial analyses. Document formats should at a minimum include hardcopy as well as the following digital formats .pdf, .tif, and .jpg. • Ability to work with, or train, others to use GIS to attain a common goal Applicant must provide specific work examples to demonstrate each of the competencies. The examples should include a thorough explanation of the project goal, the process utilized and the result of the process.
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762 Water Resources
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of surface and ground water resources including the following: • Surface water hydrology • Ground water hydrology • Hydraulics • Water resources engineering • Natural resources conservation engineering • Water supply engineering • Water quality engineering • Erosion and sediment transport • Surface or ground water chemistry • Watershed dynamics • Limnology • Stream or wetland ecology The Water Resources selective is distinct from the Water Supply, Waste Water, Water Quality, and Chemistry selectives in that the Water Resources selective applies to the management, engineering, and quality analysis of surface and groundwater resources in the natural environment rather than the processing of water in a waste water or drinking water treatment plant or the analysis of water samples in a laboratory.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in geology, physical geography, or a closely related geological science, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in geology.
2) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a natural science, computer science, math, or engineering field, and experience equal to four years of full-time work in ground water, soils, environmental geology, geographic information systems, or other related earth science specialty.
3) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. One year of full-time work experience in geology; and b. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in geology, physical geography, or a closely related geological science equals one year of full-time experience; and c. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in in geology, physical geography, or a closely related geological science equals one year of full-time experience.
4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Geologist 2.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)
