The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Water, Energy, and Environment - Agency 84

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$28.893

Job Posting:

JR2026-00026135 Environmental Specialist III - NPDES Compliance (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

06-02-2026

Job Description:

Under limited supervision, is a lead inspector of DWEE permitted National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Nebraska Pretreatment Program (NPP) facilities. This position will also have oversight over the pretreatment and stormwater programs in the section. They will be a subject matter expert and the primary trainer in the section. They will present at conferences and attend regular meetings regarding ongoing permitting and compliance with NPDES topics. Other primary duties include preparing reports and documenting inspection observations including evaluating potential violations. Reviews draft permits, conduct file reviews, respond to complaints.

Please let us tell you what you will get as a State employee!
• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave equating to 24 days your first year, accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the state
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

Location and address of position: 245 Fallbrook Blvd – Suite 100 – Lincoln, NE

Work schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flexible schedule may be allowed with management approval.

 

Job Duties:

• Researches professional standards and publications, governmental regulations, criteria, and proposals pertinent to environmental topics to assist in development of agency programs, plans, guidance, procedures, and policies; Develops, reviews, coordinates, and communicates environmental policies, programs, and guidance to internal employees, consultants and public agencies; Develops and presents training materials on environmental topics for internal employees, contractors, consultants and public entities.
• Uses databases and analysis techniques to interpret and summarize environmental data to identify problems and develop solutions and make recommendations;; Interprets and generates plans, maps, reports and GIS database resources to identify and locate environmental features and conditions
• Attends professional scientific conferences and programs and utilizes professional research literature to stay current and maintain expertise.
• Investigates data, researches historical, administrative, and legal documents, evaluates geological, hydrological, economic, social environmental, legal and structural data and models to make recommendations concerning the compliance with State and federal regulations and permit conditions.
• Coordinates with Federal and State agency representatives during environmental reviews; Coordinates and attends agency meetings to participate in identification and assessment of environmental issues associated with programs, projects, and facilities; Attends meetings, preparing responses to comments on reports, proposals, or other statements; Confers with landowners and representatives of Federal, State and Local agencies to share project/program impact information, to negotiate courses of action, and to achieve mutual objectives;
• Prepares reports necessary to communicate with agency staff the environmental issues associated with the assigned program, project, and/or facility
• Use Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) for data collection and interpretation.
• Provides oversight, auditing, policy, enforcement at the program level, Identify, classify, and permit Significant Industrial Users (SIUs).
• Help complete annual reports required for the state and EPA
• Train new inspectors on the NDPES Program
• Conduct inspections of NPDES and NPP permitted facilities.
• Be the go-to for high profile and unique NPDES situations
• Receive and respond to complaints regarding water quality concerns.
• Conduct pre-inspection file reviews, document inspection results, and maintain facility database.
• Review draft permits and provide feedback on compliance issues.
• Document violations and support Department enforcement process.
• Write, edit, and review technical papers and reports to respond to inquiries and complaints and to provide data required or requested by federal, State, and local agencies, the professional community, or the general public.
• Analyzes data, statistics, charts, and tables to prepare reports, technical papers or correspondence for presentation to the general public and/or the regulated community.
• Meets with federal, State and local government representatives and the general public to explain environmental quality program policies and programs.
• Testifies at hearings as an expert witness to verify observations and conclusions from data collection and interpretation as required in legal actions.
• Reviews EPA guidance documents, memorandums, Federal Register notices, federal and State regulations, professional journals, and trade magazines to keep abreast of emerging issues.
• Participates to prepare and present environmental seminars, events, workshops, and public information sessions that aid in the education of the public regarding environmental regulations and policies. 

 

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in the physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental science, geology, biology, agronomy, civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, hydrology, community and regional planning, or a related field AND two years of professional experience in a related field. Experience may substitute for education or a year-for-year basis.

Other:

• Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent transportation
• Ability to lift 30 pounds
• Ability to climb, bend and stoop
• Ability to work in outdoor temperature extremes
• Ability to walk on uneven terrains and steep slopes to accomplish tasks
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• A cover letter and resume with relevant information with your experience clearly listed as it pertains to this position 
• Submit a current list of at least three professional references (previous employers) with valid telephone numbers and email

For a complete listing of job duties, requirements and to apply go to statejobs.nebraska.gov

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge Of: Applicable federal and state laws and administrative regulation, policies, and standards of the agency of the programs relevant to the assigned duties; the principles of ecology, geology, hydrology, biological, physical or chemical sciences; statistical and analytical methods; statistical and mathematical models as applied to the analysis and interpretation of technical data spreadsheet and database management computer software; the techniques of research, planning, implementation, and evaluation applicable to programs within the hiring agency; Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook); equipment used for measuring, testing, and recording scientific data; rules and regulations of other pertinent resource/regulatory agencies.

Skill In: Applying several natural sciences to your work; understanding and performing scientific analysis techniques; explaining the results of these analyses to decision makers; understanding and comprehending written documents; coordinating Agency activities with individuals, other state agencies, and the federal government; communicating with individuals and groups with varying technical backgrounds to collect and relay information; listening to and understanding others; conflict resolution; prioritizing workloads; using analytical judgment to make decisions; using specific software and databases such as Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System; public speaking and providing presentations; using logic to identify alternative solutions or conclusions.

Ability To: Learn, comprehend, and apply local, state, and federal environmental laws, regulations and standards; learn, apply and uphold agency policies and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials and with the general public; organize, analyze, and interpret data to draw conclusions and write reports; write and prepare technical papers and reports; use computers and other tools for data storage and analysis; work outside in varying elements and terrains.

 

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.