State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Environment and Energy - Agency 84

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$28.893

Job Posting:

JR2025-00017363 Environmental Quality Program Specialist III (Open)

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

07-15-2025

Job Description:

Under limited supervision, as a member of the Field Services and Operator Training Section of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Public Drinking Water Program, coordinates the Water Operator Training and Licensing components of the Program, serving as the primary point-of-contact for public water systems, water operators, and training providers throughout the State.

Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Nebraska’s environment? Protection of Nebraska’s water is more important than ever, and this position will be an integral part of its defense. If you want to work to help our state’s water, please consider a career with the State of Nebraska at the Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). At NDEE, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Nebraska’s air, land, water, and energy resources.

It is a very exciting time at our agency! Some of the things you can look forward to as an employee with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy:

• A modern new building in Fallbrook with free onsite parking
• Easily accessible from I-80
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as one of the largest and most diverse employers in the State
• Flexible work schedules
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same!
• Training and development based on your career aspirations
• Respected as a valued team member

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has a full-time opportunity available in the Field Services and Operator Training Section of the Drinking Water Program.

What you will do!

As part of the Field Services and Operator Training Section, of the Public Drinking Water Program, you will be playing a key role in ensuring that citizens of Nebraska have access to safe, reliable sources of drinking water. This section is responsible for the inspection of public water systems, provision of on-site technical assistance, and the training and licensure of water system operators. You will have the opportunity to interact with water system personnel, and water professionals throughout the State, through administration of the various activities of NDEE’s Water Operator Training and Licensing programs. You will be doing work that impacts virtually every resident, and visitor, of the State of Nebraska.

What’s in it for you!

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same!

We offer a competitive benefits package:

12 days of vacation during first year of service (accruals increase with years of service), 12 days of sick leave during first year of service (accruals increase with years of service), and 13 paid holidays per year. Permanent Teammate Benefits: • Health Insurance • Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance • WellNebraska Health Plan • Direct Primary Care (DPC) • Mail order Rx (3 month supply) and Specialty Pharmacy program • Virtual Visits and FREE Nurse line 24 hours a day 7 days a week • Employee Assistance Program • Retirement/Investment Plan • Early Retirement Insurance Program (55 and older) • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability • Health Savings Account • Flexible Spending Accounts • Life and AD&D Insurance • Tuition Assistance* • LinkedIn Learning Access to 16,000+ On-Demand Courses • Direct Deposit of Payroll • Nebraska State Employees Credit Union • Deferred Compensation Plan • Paid Holidays • Vacation, Sick, Civil, and Injury Leave • Military Training or Emergency Duty Leave • Teammate Discount Program • Charitable Giving through Payroll Deduction *Coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

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

Location and address of position: 245 Fallbrook Blvd Suite 100 – Lincoln, NE, but willing to consider alternate NDEE office location.

Work schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flexible schedule and 10-hour workdays maybe allowed with management approval.

Dress Code: Business Casual

Job Duties:

• Administration of NDEE’s Water Operator Certification program to ensure conformance with national baseline standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• Develop curriculum for water operator training courses, containing varying degrees of complexity and breadth, reflecting the basic requirements for operation of the simplest to most complex water systems.
• Development and maintenance of valid and defensible water operator examinations.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate water operator licensure training courses, examinations administered by both the Public Drinking Water program, and outside training providers.
• Coordination of the initial issuance, renewal, and reinstatement process of water operator licenses.
• Review applications for continuing education hours from training providers, and individual licensed operators, for applicability to appropriate grades of water operator licenses, and compile continuing education hours obtained by water operators.
• Attend public meetings to explain SDWA regulations and compliance requirements to public water system owners, local officials, and water consumers.
• Develop and revise regulations and standard procedures establishing conformance with State standards recognized in the professional community, and/or required by federal standards.
• Prepare periodic program and/or administrative correspondence, reports, and publications as requested by NDEE Administration, and to meet reporting requirements of the USEPA.
• Attend public functions to promote safe drinking water and education of the public relating to public water systems.
• Participate in diverse projects within the scope of the Department’s mission.
• Work independently.

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

Preferred Qualifications: Experience operating a public water system, or working with public water system personal, on aspects including water production, distribution, storage, treatment facilities, and system management.

Other:

• Must currently possess a certified water operator license at, or equivalent to a Nebraska Grade III or higher, and have the qualifications necessary to obtain a Grade I Water Operator license as listed in Title 179 NAC 10-005,01(3)(a, b, c, d) within one year of hire.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation
• Overnight travel required – Approximately 12% overnight.
• Ability to work Independently from both assigned worksite, and varying locations throughout the State.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Submit a resume or list on the application specific detailed experience relevant to the position in years and months
• Submit a current list of at least professional references (previous employers) with valid telephone numbers

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of: General principles of hydrology, geology, engineering, mechanics, electricity, chemistry, and biology as they apply to the operation and evaluation of public water supply systems to include source water, treatment, storage, delivery, and protection of drinking water. Local, State, and Federal environmental laws, regulations, and standards related to public drinking water supplies.

Skill in: Communicating with individuals and groups with varying technical backgrounds. Building teams and coordinating various interests in a synergistic manner. Excellent oral and written communications is required. Prioritizing workloads working independently.

Ability to: Learn, interpret, and apply applicable Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to safe drinking water; provide guidance and technical assistance to operators and local officials; and prepare written reports of findings.

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.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.

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