Job Description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM):
Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

Role Overview : 

The Program Manager serves within the Office of Program Support (OPS) at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and reports directly to the Section Chief of the Recycling, Education, and Quality Assurance Section.

This position manages the Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP), the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program, and the State Materials Management Plan. The Program Manager supports statewide efforts to strengthen recycling markets by helping expand recyclable material manufacturing and promoting the use of recyclable materials in production and recycling processes. The Program Manager provides technical assistance to staff, businesses, communities, and industry partners and serves as a key resource on solid waste and recycling initiatives.

The Program Manager coordinates public hearings for the Recycling Market Development Board and related meetings and oversees state and federal grant programs from start to finish, including reviewing applications, evaluating proposals, preparing funding recommendations and reports, and conducting field monitoring to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements in collaboration with IDEM program areas. This position also serves as a liaison to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, grantees, and potential applicants, providing program guidance and application support.

The role collaborates closely with OPS team—including Operations, Compliance and Technical Assistance, the Community Recycling Program Manager, the E‑Cycling Program Manager, the Environmental Engineer, and the Quality Assurance Program Manager—as well as with the Offices of Land, Air, Water, Finance, and Legal Counsel.

A valid IN driver's license is required.

 
Salary Statement : 

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Interprets laws, regulations and guidelines for recycling program areas

• Develops and modifies existing state programs to adapt to changes in federal or state legislation-mandated policy changes.
• Support the planning and implementation of related federal, state, and local initiatives that align with program goals.
• Implement, administer, and coordinate the Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP), the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program, and the State Materials Management Plan.
• Develop recycling initiatives for grant programs, including updating, revising, or creating grant funding categories.
• Plan and manage the full grant cycle, including application development, review, evaluation, and award processes.
• Conduct preliminary reviews of grant applications and evaluate proposals for eligibility, feasibility, and impact.

• Maintains a tracking system to ensure that projects are currently working through the appropriate program processes in acceptable timeframes.
• Promote grant opportunities to targeted audiences, including economically challenged counties.
• Coordinate proposal reviews and monitor application progress through completion for board presentations.
• Present finalized project proposals to the Recycling Market Development Board for funding approval.
• Monitor approved projects through contract execution, payment processes, and final development phases.
• Conduct field monitoring visits, in coordination with Environmental Engineers and other IDEM staff, to ensure compliance with program requirements.
• Prepare progress reports to leadership on local and national recycling issues, client inquiries, and legislative initiatives.
• Serve as the recycling market development representative to regional and national organizations, conferences, boards, and other events.
• Administer Indiana Recycling Market Development Board meetings.
• Maintain a tracking system to ensure the state’s allocation of grant funds aligns with schedules from initial request through planning, design, construction, and final close‑out audit.
• Prepare and provide various written communications, including responses to inquiries from citizens, elected officials, and governmental representatives.
• Update, revise, or create new grant application forms.
• Develop the Annual Report for dissemination to the agency and legislature.
• Create promotional materials or concepts for the agency media office regarding funding opportunities, project successes, and general recycling news.
• Provide assistance in developing recycling success‑rate measurement methods.
• Monitor recycling market trends and collaborate with the U.S. EPA on regional market opportunities.
• Work with local units of government, businesses, and citizens to support recycling efforts.
• Consult with recycling businesses on material needs and specifications for purchasing or manufacturing recyclable materials.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for internal staff, businesses, communities, and recycling industries.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You’ll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, or a related field.
• Six (6) years of work experience in an environmental, grant funding program administration or environmental public health field.
• A valid IN driver’s license required
• Related certifications and coursework may be considered toward meeting education or experience requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of theories, practices, and principles of environmental management and related scientific areas.
• Extensive knowledge in grants management, program management and processes for awarding state and federal funds.
• Extensive knowledge of grant program cycles, requirements, and processes, including the ability to ensure compliance and alignment with statutory and policy frameworks.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and policies related to solid waste management and pollution prevention or source reduction.
• Working knowledge of technical terminology and market trends related to recycling programs.
• Working knowledge of agency rules and sub political procedures for board operations.
• Ability to conduct surveys, inspections, and investigations; review and interpret project information; and provide clear recommendations.
• Ability to interpret and implement public policy relates to specific environmental rules or laws.
• Ability to establish and achieve long‑ and short‑term project management goals.
• Ability to balance and complete multiple projects within deadlines.
• Ability to interact effectively and communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, with local, state, and federal officials, government representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare accurate and thorough reports and regulatory documents.
• Ability to develop and define procedures and accomplish objectives within established timelines.
• Proficiency in computer skills.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Difficulty of Work:

The program manager uses financial and technical data, laws, regulations, and procedures, and must adapt and apply knowledge to broad and complex issues. In this role, the program manager generally works independently during the initial review of projects and is required to formulate ideas, use initiative and creative thinking, develop alternatives, and make decisions and recommendations for projects and programs based on complex regulations and laws, funding considerations, and multiple interrelated factors.

The program manager must then collaborate with additional agency staff and applicants. The work often involves engaging with organizations that may have conflicting objectives—such as projects with strong economic potential but unresolved compliance issues—requiring a high level of decision‑making, problem‑solving, and diplomacy.

Correct interpretation and implementation of legislation and regulations is essential to ensure alignment with program policy and statutory requirements, as well as the legality of project contracts.

Responsibility:

The program manager makes a major contribution to the program area as a technical expert. The position has the authority to recommend approvals of grant requests involving multi‑million‑dollar expenditures. General goals and objectives are discussed with the supervisor (Section Chief), and the supervisor is advised of significant issues as they arise to ensure program continuity.

The program manager’s work is reviewed upon completion for compliance with agency policy and attainment of objectives. The program manager’s decisions carry a high degree of responsibility. Failure to effectively manage projects could impact agency policy or budget, including potential financial loss to the State of Indiana.

Personal Work Relationships:

The program manager works with a wide variety of individuals including the public, consultants, agency personnel, the regulated community and representatives of federal, state and local government for the purpose of providing information and to review, discuss and solve problems relating to grant processing, project development and disseminating program information.

This individual will be expected to partner with agency personnel and related stakeholders working towards completion of assigned functions. Exceptional customer service is provided to agency partners and/or the general public. Partnerships with relevant public agencies, federal, state & local governments may be required.

Working Conditions:

This role performs work in a standard office environment. Up to 15% of duties may include outdoor field work through site visits evaluating purchased manufacturing equipment. Only standard issue safety gear (boots, hard hat, goggles) is required.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

   

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov .

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