Environmental Specialist II - Integrated Water Planning

Job Title

Environmental Specialist II
- Integrated Water Planning (Open)

Water, Energy, and Environment
- Agency 84

Lincoln, NE (245 Fallbrook Blvd – Suite #100 – Lincoln, NE)

$25.686

06-30-2026

We’re looking for the next great addition to the Integrated Water Planning Division at the Nebraska Department Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE). 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!

The Integrated Water Planning Division at DWEE collaborates with local, regional, state, and federal stakeholders on water quality and quantity projects.

• Integrated Water Management
• Interstate Water Compacts, Decrees, and Agreements
• Section 319 Nonpoint Source
• Section 401 Certifications
• Source Water Protection
• Wellhead Protection
• Water Quality Standards
• Water Quality Integrated Report

• Perform hydrogeological and water quality analyses, apply groundwater and watershed models, and interpret monitoring data to develop scientifically supported findings that inform planning, regulatory, and resource management decisions.
• Collect, organize, and review water quality and quantity datasets from multiple sources; integrate data, spatial analyses, and modeling results to evaluate trends, uncertainty, and program effectiveness.
• Use GIS tools to spatially analyze environmental conditions, trends and potential risks, review technical reports and data submittals for QA/QC and regulatory compliance, and develop figures to communicate scientific results. Perform technical components of water quality and quantity plan and program development, evaluation, and implementation across the Division’s core programs.
• Coordinate with project sponsors, NRDs, municipalities, utilities, and other partners to support plan development, track implementation, and ensure deliverable compliance.
• Review and evaluate grant applications, track deliverables, and prepare program outcome reports; contribute to operational workplans supporting statewide policy and Water Quality and Quantity Task Force goals.
• Maintain and manage large multi-source datasets, GIS-enabled databases and other data products; apply established metrics and benchmarking tools; and use programming tools (e.g., Python, Arc Py) to automate data processing and reporting workflows.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and written products — including technical reports, fact sheets, and outreach materials — for audiences ranging from technical colleagues to the general public.
• Represent DWEE at public meetings and outreach events; coordinate stakeholder engagement processes; manage workplans; and prepare meeting agendas, materials, and notes.

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.

• Hydrogeological analysis, including groundwater and surface water interaction studies
• Groundwater modeling (MODFLOW, particularly MODFLOW
  6)
• Computer programming (Python, Arc Py, MATLAB, R, or Fortran) for data processing and automation
• GIS proficiency (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online) including spatial analysis and database management
• 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…