Water Quality Specialist

The UAF Environmental Support Services unit provides developmental planning and environmental services to Fort Wainwright under an Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA). As part of this partnership, the Water Quality Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for water quality programs and supports Fort Wainwright in maintaining compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and other applicable federal, state, and Army environmental regulations.

This position manages and supports water quality permitting, compliance, reporting, and recordkeeping activities, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The Water Quality Specialist develops plans and procedures, monitors regulatory requirements, prepares required reports and assessments, provides training and guidance to installation staff, and identifies environmental program and project needs. This position also supports field activities as needed to ensure water quality requirements and best management practices are effectively implemented across the installation.

To thrive in this role, you will need a strong understanding of the Clean Water Act and knowledge of water quality management principles, sampling methods, environmental regulations, and permitting requirements. The successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to develop strategic plans, and the initiative to work independently while completing projects and regulatory requirements within established timelines. Strong organizational and public administration skills, along with proficiency using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications, are also important for success in this position.

Experience working in environmental services, natural resource management, conservation, or scientific fieldwork is highly desirable. Knowledge of Department of Defense systems, policies, procedures, and processes, as well as demonstrated experience working with the DoD or U.S. Army, is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a biological sciences, fish and wildlife conservation/management, resource management or other related environmental fields.
Ability to access military installations in Alaska.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Experience in conducting scientific field work is preferred.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, term-funded, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 81, based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed. 

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, Signers' Business Office, Sr. HR Coordinator at bmthimsen@alaska.edu

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity (CAUSE)-UAW. 

This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.