Agency Information: Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days (8am to 5pm)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $37,981 Per Year
• Hourly Pay Range: $18.26 Per Hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

This position will remain posted until filled. Location: Finney County

Job Summary:

This is a technician level position person for the Division of Water Resources (DWR) in our Garden City Field Office located in Garden City Kansas. This employee is expected to collect environmental data related to the water resources of the area and assist with the analysis of that data. This employee will specifically conduct a significant number of compliance field investigations of various water right conditions. This employee will need to be proficient in both written and oral communications. The employee will need to be familiar with scientific computer software, as well as word processing skills and basic database entry, to evaluate and communicate with other staff and the public. This employee will be required to apply regulation criteria to the water use community. This requires the employee to deal with stressful situations in the field when regulating water users. This individual will need to interpret environmental rules and regulations as well as adhere to policies developed by the DWR.

The employee must be able to evaluate field situations and apply his/her knowledge of water law, rules and regulations and policies to take some action in the field with regard to potential illegal activities. Other field activities may include investigation and monitoring of tailwater complaints, impairment of senior water rights, unlawful diversions, and compliance with conditions of a water right. This activity requires good observation skills and requires that the employee clearly communicate with both the water user and the appropriate DWR staff prior to taking any action. Such communications will often include verbal communications with the water user and a written technical report for DWR files.

The employee will need to be competent in the use and care of all types of water measurement devices used by the DWR. Such devices include all types of flow meters and technical equipment. The employee will need to be familiar with flow parameters and their relationships to the flow meter in order to make an accurate assessment of the flow rate. The employee will also be responsible for conducting physical measurements of water groundwater level depth measurements.

The employee is required to have an in-depth knowledge of water laws, rules and regulations and policies of the DWR. The employee will need to interpret and apply the information collected to various DWR applications and communicate their conclusions to other employees of the DWR staff. The employee must be able to read and understand written and oral instructions.

The employee will be in daily contact with the public water users, and at times, federal, state, and local government representatives. The employee will be assisting the public with the appropriate applications, forms and reports needed to be completed, some with sensitive deadlines. This activity requires good personal communications skills as well as people skills.

Qualifications:

• Post high school education or experience in environmental science or a related field. This may include Geology, Hydrology, Environmental Studies, or Resource Management. A strong technical background is preferred, with experience in the use of equipment related to field studies and fluid measurement.
• Valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of agriculture, water systems and Kansas Water Law
  • Preference is given for someone with previous knowledge of the KWAA and water rights

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
  • DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

• Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
  • Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
  • Cover Letter

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and Submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

• Instructions:
  • Job Search
  • Registration & User Account
  • Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.