Environmental Specialist II - Groundwater - Water Well Standards

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Water, Energy, and Environment - Agency 84

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$25.686

Job Posting:

JR2026-00022569 Environmental Specialist II - Groundwater - Water Well Standards (Open)

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

02-18-2026

Job Description:

Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Nebraska’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Nebraska at the Department of Water, Energy & Environment (DWEE). At DWEE, 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. If you answer yes, then we might be the team for you!

We are looking for an enthusiastic and positive team member as an addition to the Groundwater Section at DWEE. Our small but enthusiastic group of technical experts provides a supportive and collaborative work environment that offers many opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

This position is the Coordinator for the Water Well Standards Program. This position oversees approximately 800 water well professionals via testing, continuing education, regulation, and disciplinary action. The position currently serves as the Executive Secretary for the Water Well Standards and Contractors’ Licensing Board and acts as Chief Administrative Coordinator of the Board’s activities including scheduling and leading meetings. This position works closely with 3 Water Well Inspectors within the state on disciplinary, compliance, testing, regulation development, and presentations. Field work including sampling, and compliance visits are also part of this team members’ duties.

Benefits for you!
• 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
• A new modern building in Fallbrook with free onsite parking
• Easily accessible from I-80
• Respected as a valued team member
• Business Casual Dress Code
• Monday – Friday – After a 6-month Original Probation Period - Flexible schedules and 10-hour workdays may be allowed with management approval

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: 245 Fallbrook Blvd – Suite #100 – Lincoln, NE

Work schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flexible schedule, 10-hour workdays allowed after six-month probation and/or with management approval.
For a complete listing of job duties, requirements and to apply go to statejobs.nebraska.gov
“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.”

 

Job Duties:

• Lead and manage the development, writing, review, and revision of Title 178 Regulations (soon to be Title 134) and proposed State legislation concerning water well standards and licensure
• Analyze program needs and develop policies and procedures for implementation 
• Manage and audit the integrity of the statewide licensing and CEU programs for water well professionals, including reviewing complex applications, issuing licenses, interpreting challenging regulatory requirements, fee audits and preparing determination letters
• Act as the principal technical expert and representative for the Water Well Standards Program;
• Testify as an expert witness in licensing legal actions
• Facilitate partnerships with external stakeholder groups; and present program data and technical guidelines to the Board, professionals, and the public
• Develop, execute, and coordinate complex enforcement and disciplinary strategies for habitual or serious regulatory and statutory violations in collaboration with field inspectors and legal counsel
• Prepare enforcement documents and present findings and recommendations directly to the Board for ruling
• Plan, manage, and report on the Water Well Standards Program expenditures, resources, and annual work plan requirements, coordinating Board travel and ensuring quorums are met for official proceedings
• Responsible for issuing official public notices and writing/editing program newsletters, bulletins, and reports to inform the regulated community and the public
• Oversee candidates through the licensure process
• Prepare and proctor exams for all testing locations
• Conduct drinking water testing for well owners at trade shows and educational outreach events.
• Maintain essential equipment inventory.

 

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. Experience may substitute for education or a year-for-year basis

Other Requirements For Position: 

• Valid driver’s license or ability to provide independent transportation
• Ability to travel with occasional overnight stays.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb a 20-foot ladder.
• Ability to climb, bend and stoop.
• Ability to walk on muddy, icy, uneven terrains and steep slopes to accomplish tasks.
• 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 number

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge of: State of Nebraska geology and groundwater resources; governmental and private sources of information relating to groundwater and wells in the environment; drilling and well construction techniques involved in the withdrawal of groundwater.

Skill in: Communicating with individuals and groups with varying technical backgrounds to collect and relay information; listening to and understanding others; prioritizing workloads; using analytical judgment to make decisions; public speaking and providing presentations.

Ability to: Learn and apply applicable local, State and federal laws, regulations and standards; establish and maintain effective working relationships with licensed individuals; communicate technical information to the public; assume a major role as an agency representative in statewide water well standards program.

 

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.