Water Regulation & Zoning Specialist

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring a Water Management Specialist & a Floodplain & Shoreland Zoning Specialist at the Senior level, in the Division of External Services.

The Floodplain & Shoreland Zoning Specialist may be headquartered in any DNR Office in WI, depending on space availability and the location of the selected candidate.

The Water Management Specialist would be stationed out of the La Crosse, Dodgeville, Fitchburg, Madison, Milwaukee or Waukesha offices, depending upon space availability and the location of the selected candidate.

Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions. Therefore, when you apply, please be select all counties in which you are interested in working.

The DNR is a great place to work! We are a workplace focused on diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Current employees value work-hour flexibility, casual office atmosphere, healthy work-life balance, and working for an organization that provides training and growth opportunities.

The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our citizenry. We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. The staff works in partnership with individuals and organizations to manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air, and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes at least 3.5 weeks of paid time off, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan! To learn more about the State’s complete compensation package, please visit the Total Rewards Calculator.

Position Summary

The Water Management Specialist will administer the Waterway Protection program in the assigned geographic area. This position is responsible for protection of the public trust and public rights in navigable waters of the state. This position also administers the state’s wetland protection programs mandated by the federal Clean Water Act.

The Floodplain & Shoreland Zoning Specialist has the responsibility for working on major projects or assisting in completing program activities to fulfill requirements for managing Wisconsin’s floodplain and shoreland programs. Floodplain Program goals are to protect life, health, and property, and Shoreland Zoning has the goal of protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and natural beauty.

For more information, please see the Water Management Specialist or Floodplain & Shoreland Zoning Specialist position descriptions.

Salary Information

Starting pay is between $31.00 to $35.00 per hour (or $64,480 to $72,800 annually), in addition to excellent benefits.

These positions are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

These positions are included in the classification Water Regulation & Zoning Specialist-Senior within pay schedule/range 15-03. A 12-month probationary period may be required.

Job Details

Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in the United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Disabled veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Email the HR contact listed in this announcement for information on how to apply under this provision.

Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.

Physical/Environmental Factors: These positions require bending at the waist, kneeling, crouching, climbing, balancing and lifting. For a full description of physical and environmental factors please review the full position description.

Travel: Routine travel within the assigned geographic area is expected along with occasional overnight travel for meetings and trainings.

Qualifications

Please make sure to address and describe EACH of the following qualifications applicable to your experience within your resume and/or letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:

Required qualifications include experience with the following:

  • Surface waters, wetlands, water quality, hydrology, stormwater, fish and wildlife management, and/or forestry
  • Interpreting engineering plans, maps (topographic, land survey aerial photo, GIS), using databases, and writing technical reports and letters
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., internal partners and customer programs, regulated parties, counterpart state & federal agencies, tribal governments, legislators, general public, municipal partners, etc.)

Preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:

  • Working with Waterway, Wetland, Shoreland, or Floodplain Regulations or zoning ordinance development
  • Reviewing, managing, or authorizing projects for compliance with laws and conducting project site investigations
  • Working with environmental or other regulatory programs

How To Apply

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.) please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this JOB ID: 15515 to complete your application.

Click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job. Please review these instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials as you prepare to apply. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Patricia Buchholz in Human Resources at [email protected] or (608) 266-2133.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.