Environmental Specialist II - Integrated Water Planning

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency

Water, Energy, and Environment - Agency 84

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate

$25.686

Job Posting

JR2026-00025285 Environmental Specialist II - Integrated Water Planning (Open)

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

05-05-2026

Job Description

Do you have a passion for protecting Nebraska’s natural resources? Do you love knowing your work makes a difference in your community and state? Are you looking for a work environment that supports developing and applying new skills and technologies? Do you want to help implement Nebraska’s Water Quality and Quantity Task Force Goals in meaningful, measurable ways? Are you motivated by work that integrates water science, agricultural practices, planning, and stakeholder collaboration into real-world solutions? If you answered yes, then we might be the team for you!

We’re looking for the next great addition to the Water Planning Division (Division) at the Nebraska Department Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE). Our Division’s crucial work includes water quality and water quantity projects throughout the state and also includes collaboration with local, regional, statewide and federal stakeholders and partners. Our Division, which consists of an enthusiastic group of dedicated water quality and water quantity planning and technical experts, provides a supportive and collaborative work environment that offers many opportunities to learn and grow professionally while carrying out our essential work.

Before we dive into what we need, let us show off what you get!

• 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.

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) is seeking an Environmental Specialist II to support the Department’s Water Planning Program through activities including water resource planning, stakeholder coordination, data development, and implementation of integrated water management strategies. This position will also assist with advancing Nebraska’s Water Quality and Quantity Task Force Goals through coordinated work across both the Water Planning (WP) Program and the ONE RED (Opportunity for Nebraska: Reducing Emissions & Decarbonization) Program.

What You Will Do

I. Water Planning (WP) Program Responsibilities

• Supports regulatory planning, program evaluation, and statewide coordination activities.
• Coordinate nitrogen management education and implementation efforts in partnership with NRDs, UNL, and other stakeholders.
• Support alignment of DWEE and NRD water planning efforts related to water quality and quantity.
• Evaluate planning frameworks and assist with adaptive management adjustments.
• Develop and maintain data systems, inventories, dashboards, and benchmarking tools related to water measurement, nitrogen use efficiency, recharge, and water availability.
• Compile and analyze technical data to inform strategic planning, economic development discussions, and project prioritization.
• Support preparation of reports, technical summaries, and materials for Management and stakeholder review.
  
  

II. ONE RED Program Responsibilities

• Supports development and implementation of voluntary, incentive-based programs aligned with Task Force goals.
• Contribute to development of benchmarking tools and performance metrics.
• Support preparation of reports, technical summaries, and materials for Management and stakeholder review
  
  

III. Integrated Water Planning & ONE RED Responsibilities

• Supports coordination between regulatory and voluntary frameworks to ensure consistent statewide implementation.
• Develop and support statewide education, outreach, and communication materials related to water quality, water quantity, and public health.
• Assists in coordination with NRDs and partners to assess implementation capacity and identify opportunities to expand technical and engagement resources.
• Compile, analyze, and interpret performance data to evaluate progress toward Task Force goals.
• Identify implementation gaps and recommend program improvements.
• Support cross-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement to maintain alignment across planning and incentive efforts.
  
  

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.

Preferred Qualification

• Writing and editing reports and other documentation
• Records and data organization and management
• Creating meeting materials such as agendas, handouts, and minutes
• Stakeholder input or public participation processes
• Creating figures to explain a complex concept
• Quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis
• Natural resources or environmental planning
• Education and outreach
• Using GIS to create map graphics or solve a problem
  
  

Other

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation
• Some travel is required for this position, including occasional overnight travel. When not on approved, work-related travel, the employees’ work time will be completed at the DWEE’s Fallbrook office.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance
• The ability to work overtime and weekends if the need arises
• Ability to lift 35 pounds
• Ability to climb a 6 ft ladder
• 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 work in an industrial setting
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• 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 three professional references (previous employers) with valid telephone numbers and email
  
  

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Principles and applications of hydrogeology, hydrology, natural resource sciences, agricultural sciences, and natural resources planning processes, policies, rules, and regulations.
• Analytical and critical thinking frameworks used to evaluate scientific data, assess uncertainty, and support defensible conclusions in natural resource and water management.
• Relational database concepts, including schema design, time-series data, and data normalization.
• Principles of environmental and water resources data management, including data structures, common file types, QA/QC standards, and long-term data stewardship.
• The interconnection of agricultural practices, land use, and the hydrologic cycle.
• Methods for aggregating, anonymizing, and summarizing data for public reporting while maintaining data privacy. Remote sensing principles and applications for land use and land cover delineation.
• Basic field-scale irrigation and agricultural practices used across Nebraska. Water quality and quantity measurements, monitoring approaches, and assessment technologies.
• Water chemistry, nutrient cycling, and nutrient management concepts.
• Principles of performance measurement, indicator development, and metrics used in natural resource and water planning programs.
• Best practices for public-facing data visualization, accessibility, and usability.
• Principles and applications of groundwater and surface water modeling used in integrated water management.
• Basic subsurface geology and characteristics of primary and secondary aquifers in Nebraska.
• Integrated water resource management principles
• Nitrogen management practices and irrigation systems
• Performance measurement and program evaluation frameworks
• Nebraska surface and groundwater laws
• Voluntary conservation and incentive-based environmental programs
• Methods for collection and analysis of multidisciplinary datasets
  
  

Skill In

• Using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and related GIS tools to create, edit, analyze, store, and publish spatial and tabular data.
• Designing, maintaining, and documenting GIS-enabled relational databases that support dashboards, data clearinghouses, and policy or planning reporting.
• Developing interactive, public-facing dashboards and data products that clearly communicate trends, metrics, and program progress.
• Managing, integrating, and maintaining large datasets from multiple organizations and formats.
• Developing standardized metrics, indicators, and scoring frameworks to support project prioritization, benchmarking, and performance tracking.
• Using computer programming languages and tools (e.g., Python, ArcPy, or similar) to automate data processing, QA/QC, metric calculations, and recurring reporting or dashboard updates.
• Implementing and automating QA/QC procedures for spatial and tabular datasets used in analysis, reporting, and public-facing applications.
• Identifying opportunities to proactively improve data workflows, analyses, or reporting processes through automation, standardization, or improved documentation.
• Preparing clear, repeatable technical documentation, user guidance, and training materials for dashboards, data systems, and recurring workflows.
• Communicating technical information, project status, and timelines clearly to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
• Creating figures, maps, presentations, and publications using software such as Microsoft Office applications, Adobe InDesign, ArcGIS, and similar tools.
• Coordinating and supporting meetings, workshops, and events in both in-person and virtual formats.
• Organizing and maintaining records, files, and project information using records management systems and intuitive digital filing structures.
• Conducting hydrogeologic and data-driven analyses and synthesizing results into clear findings and conclusions.
• Translating statewide policy goals into operational work plans
• Coordinating cross-program initiatives
• Developing dashboards, tracking systems, and benchmarking tools
• Writing technical reports and public-facing materials
  
  

Ability To

• Independently identify, analyze, and solve scientific or technical problems using sound judgment, available data, and established methods.
• Apply critical thinking, logic, and professional judgment to evolving technical and policy-related challenges. Interpret and evaluate data obtained from monitoring instruments, models, and other technical sources.
• Read, interpret, and apply Nebraska surface water and groundwater laws, rules, regulations, and integrated management plans.
• Clearly convey complex technical information to the public, colleagues, decision-makers, and technical experts through presentations, reports, and other communication products.
• Organize, write, review, and edit technical reports, memorandums, outreach materials, meeting agendas, and meeting summaries.
• Develop and manage workplans, prioritize tasks, and meet project deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Work independently while effectively coordinating across teams, divisions, agencies, and external partners.
• Solicit, understand, and incorporate input from stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds.
• Organize and analyze water quality, water quantity, and hydrogeologic information to reach defensible conclusions.
• Adapt to changing program needs and assume new technical responsibilities as projects transition from development to long-term operation.
• Maintain professional growth by identifying skill gaps and engaging in on-the-job learning and training opportunities.
• Interpret Task Force goals and align technical work accordingly
• Integrate regulatory and voluntary program approaches
• Analyze implementation effectiveness and recommend improvements
• Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Manage multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Exercise professional judgment under general supervision
  
  

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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.