Salary: $27.46 - $36.34 Hourly
Location : Wasilla, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 54822
Department: Environmental Conservation
Division: Water
Opening Date: 08/03/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Water
Position Open To: Alaska Residents Only
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 14/16/18
Job Description
This position is open to Alaska Residents only.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
This position is being recruited for in Wasilla.
Pay will be determined based on level of selected individual.
Environmental Program Specialist 1 (Range 14) salary: $27.46
Environmental Program Specialist 2 (Range 16) salary: $31.54
Environmental Program Specialist 3 (Range 18) salary: $36.34
What you will be doing:
This permanent, full-time position with the Division of Water's Engineering Support and Plan Review Section team reviews wastewater system documentation to verify systems installed are protective of public health and the environment across Alaska, with a focus on the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The position includes working with homeowners, businesses, contractors, certified installers, and engineers on the installation, modification, and maintenance of onsite wastewater disposal systems (septic systems). We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who wants to make a difference in their community and across Alaska by ensuring wastewater disposal systems are properly constructed, maintained, and operated to improve or protect waters from contaminants found in wastewater. The position has hiring freeze waiver approval.
Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Division of Water, Water Quality team is a unique program within the Department of Environmental Conservation in the variety of approaches used to improve and protect Alaska's waters from pollution. The Water Quality team develops water quality regulations, addresses nonpoint source pollution, restores waterbody health, assesses surface water quality, and reviews onsite wastewater systems. We are a small, tight-knit group of scientists and engineers who are passionate about what we do.
This position will be in the Engineering Support and Plan Review section in the Water Quality program working to protect and restore water quality through a variety of mechanisms. You will help fulfill our mission by: working with qualified people on the installation of onsite wastewater disposal systems; working with owners/operators on how to maintain said systems; working with communities to address concerns regarding wastewater disposal, and; managing the registration paperwork with these systems.
The benefits of joining our team:
As a valued member of the team, you will work alongside dedicated staff to improve and protect Alaska's water quality by managing installation of onsite wastewater disposal systems, developing technical guidance documents and public outreach materials, conducting ongoing program development, and interacting with community organizations, stakeholders, and the public. Telework options and formal and informal training opportunities are provided.
The working environment you can expect:
This position is being recruited to work in the Wasilla DEC office to become the regional onsite wastewater disposal system expert and point of contact. The position includes working in an office environment, participating in partner organization meetings locally, and performing inspections of onsite wastewater systems throughout the region. The position may also participate in training sessions or outreach events locally or in other regions of Alaska.
We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:
- Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
- Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one's knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
- Compliance: Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
- Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Special Notice:
- Valid driver's license is required
- Department inspector credentials (obtain within 2 years of hire)
- Occasional travel is required; Working on a Saturday or Sunday may occur infrequently for community outreach events or event traveling.
Minimum Qualifications
Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions
This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications.
Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.
Competency Description
The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency's description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.
Environmental Program Specialist 1 (Range 14):
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies
- Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
- Research - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
- Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Equivalent to those typically gained by:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
Environmental Program Specialist 2 (Range 16):
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies
- Environmental Science - Knowledge of the interdisciplinary concepts, principles, theories, and methods of investigating the natural and physical environment, including examination of ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, atmospheric, and other related sciences in the protection and improvement of the environment and its resources.
- Scientific Research - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
- Critical Thinking - Analyzes and evaluates data to draw logical and well-reasoned conclusions.
- Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Equivalent to those typically gained by:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
AND
Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.
Environmental Program Specialist 3 (Range 18):
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies
- Scientific Research - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
- Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
- Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
- Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Equivalent to those typically gained by:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
AND
Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.
Additional Required Information
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW
- One professional writing example such as a technical report or outreach material;
- Unofficial copies of college transcripts;
- Three (3) professional references and current contact numbers, including at least one (1) from a current or former supervisor or professor
FLEXIBLY STAFFEDThis position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate's credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENTThe State's online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.
THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLYPlease be sure to check our to determine if you qualify.
EDUCATIONTo verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATIONEducation completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that
