Environmental Specialist II
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Natural Resources - Agency 29

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$25.120

Job Posting:
JR2024-00011365 Environmental Specialist II (Open)

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

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? 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 of Natural Resources (NeDNR). Our small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planners and technical experts provides a supportive and collaborative work environment that offers many opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

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

• Workplace flexibility
• 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!

The Water Planning Division at NeDNR works with local, regional, state, and interstate partners and stakeholders on integrated management of surface water and groundwater and on interstate water agreements. Our vision is advancing collaborative water management across the state of Nebraska based on sound science, and our mission is to sustain and protect Nebraska's water supplies and water users for both the near and long term. The Division's work blends hydrogeological modeling and analyses with water policy and planning.

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing hydrologic analyses, related technical support, and related planning support. An Environmental Specialist II is expected to develop their knowledge of: hydrologic models, processing tools, governing state laws and plans the Department currently uses, including those related to: MODFLOW groundwater models (including the latest version MODFLOW 6), CROPSIM and/or other watershed models, and surface water operations models.

• Assist the Water Planning Division (Division) of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources with the development and implementation of integrated surface water/groundwater management plans and interstate compacts, decrees, and agreements.

• Develop and perform hydrogeological analyses, including:
  • Analysis of groundwater/surface water interactions
  • Groundwater modeling with MODFLOW, including the latest version MODFLOW 6
  • Soil water balance modeling, including CROPSIM, or regionalized watershed modeling
  • Surface water operations modeling including with STELLA software
  • Geospatial processing

• Retain proper documentation and maintain archives of completed hydrogeological analyses.

• Develop large and high-level hydrogeological technical data required for the integrated surface water/groundwater management planning process.
  • Determine the type of technical data needed to support and implement integrated surface water/groundwater management plans
  • Acquire and organize pertinent data such as surface water diversions and use, water rights information, and changes in irrigated acres and land use/land cover
  • Maintain and follow established procedures for the management of GIS data
  • Assist in editing spatial and tabular data, spatial analysis, image analysis, map layout design, web mapping, and/or image classification that support land and water data development in Nebraska
  • Develop and maintain databases and information management systems to ensure reliable storage and efficient retrieval of the Division's data and records

• Communicate with a variety of audiences:
  • Assist with preparation and delivery of presentations that explain surface water/groundwater interactions and the associated impacts on the integrated management planning process to a wide range of technical audiences
  • Prepare and edit educational and public relations materials such as maps, graphics, newsletter articles, technical reports and memos, PowerPoints, and handouts to disseminate information about the Division's activities
  • Assist with maintaining and managing content on the Division's website
  • Represent the Department and Water Planning Division at public education and outreach events
• Meeting Organization and Support
  • Participate in internal and external meetings regarding tasks performed by the Water Planning Division
  • Take, edit, and distribute meeting notes/minutes
  • Assist in preparing meeting agendas
  • Assist in preparing meeting materials
  • Create Outlook meetings and perform all associated planner tasks for these meetings

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 on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in natural resources or environmental planning; expertise in groundwater modeling in MODFLOW (specifically MODFLOW 6); computer programming proficiency in Python, MATLAB, R, or Fortran; proficiency in ArcGIS; experience with quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis and database creation and management; experience in technical writing and communicating complex hydrological data with the public and technical audiences; and experience with creating figures to explain complex concepts.

Other: A valid driver's license. The ability to work overtime and weekends if the need arises. Some travel is required for this position, including occasional overnight travel. When not traveling, the employee's work time will include a mixture of teleworking and in-office work.

NeDNR will not sponsor non-immigrant work visas for this position.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Hydrogeology, hydrology, natural resource sciences, agricultural sciences, and/or natural resources planning processes, policies, rules, and regulations
• Methods for collection, maintenance, and analysis of technical datasets
• Basic field-scale irrigation and agricultural practices used across Nebraska
• The interconnection of agricultural practices, land use, and the hydrological cycle
• Basic subsurface geology and characteristics of primary/secondary aquifers in Nebraska
• Hydrogeologic processes
• Basic remote sensing techniques and its application of land use/land cover delineation
• Water use measurements and assessment technologies
• Database creation and management
• Statistical and mathematical models as applied to the analysis and interpretation of hydrogeological data

Skill in:

• Developing and analyzing groundwater models in MODFLOW
• Computer programming to automate processes
• Managing large datasets
• Applying hydrogeological analysis techniques
• Synthesizing alternative solutions or conclusions
• Communicating results of hydrogeological analyses
• Writing and editing publications for a general audience
• Meeting or event planning (in-person and via virtual platforms- Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
• Creation of figures and presentations using computer software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign, CorelDraw, Prezi, ArcGIS, and/or Geocortex
• Using ArcGIS software to construct, maintain and distribute File Geodatabases.
• Organizing information and records using tools such as records management systems (e.g., OnBase), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, OneNote, and intuitive filing structures
• Constructing documentation files that accurately outline methods used to complete projects, such that utilized methods can be easily repeated and evaluated in the future
• ArcGIS Model Builder and/or Python/Arcpy programming a plus

Ability to:

• Clearly convey technical information to the public and colleagues
• Organize, write, review, and edit technical reports and memorandums, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, outreach materials, and other documents
• Independently compile, and analyze information as necessary to identify, substantiate, and solve a scientific or technical problem and prepare reports based on that analysis
• Efficiently self-manage and operate in a remote setting/virtual workplace
• Improve skill deficiencies/interest in developing said skills with on-the-job training
• Learn various modeling and programming techniques as well as application of analytical tools
• Interpret data obtained from instruments and equipment
• Organize and analyze surface and groundwater systems and other available hydrogeological information and reach sound conclusions
• Read, interpret, and apply Nebraska's surface and groundwater laws, rules and regulations, and integrated management plans
• Apply critical thinking skills and logic
• Select, compile, and analyze information as necessary to identify, substantiate, and solve a scientific or technical problem
• Communicate technical information to other technical experts and the general public through presentations and technical reports

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.

---