The Environmental Assistance Coordinator is a position within the Nebraska Public Drinking Water Program, responsible for administration of the Program’s Public Water System Capacity Development and Water System Security programs.  Duties of this position include:  Coordinate, facilitate and provide proactive environmental assistance to public water system personnel, and the public, in order to promote and maintain compliant, self-sufficient systems through the development of Technical; Managerial; and financial capacity, as well as Water System Security. Responsible for oversight and on-going implementation of the State’s Capacity Development Strategy.   Must be an effective communicator, and be able to present information to groups and individuals. Frequent contact with public water system owners; board members; and operators, as well as coordination with federal agencies; other state agencies; local governments; trade associations; technical-assistance providers; local Emergency Planning Commissions; and non-governmental organizations are integral responsibilities of this position. Develop educational materials for the benefit and education of the owners and operators of Nebraska's public water systems so that they may improve and better maintain the technical, financial and managerial operation of their systems.  Develop and maintain databases involving Capacity Development, and Water System Security issues.  Write and submit all necessary reports and other documents that are required as part of these programs.  Represent the program at National conferences, as well as conferences and workshops within the state. Collaborate with Program staff to ensure public water system Capacity Development and Security needs are being addressed.

*Oversee and implement Nebraska’s Capacity Development Strategy.

*Contract and coordinate services to assist public water systems with technical, managerial, and financial concerns utilizing the 2% Set-Aside of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

*Coordinate with Training Coordinator to schedule bi-monthly 2% Technical Assistance Team/Training Coalition meetings.

*Provide educational training to public water system personnel regarding Capacity Development, Asset Management and other related activities.

*Develop and distribute weekly list of PWS’s that may need assistance to 2% Technical Assistance Team in order to avoid compliance issues.

*Submit annual New and Existing System Capacity Development report to US EPA.

*Produce annual report assessing the effectiveness of the Technical/Managerial/Financial assistance provided to PWS’s through the 2% Contract(s).

*Review and approve PWS Emergency Response Plans.

*Administer the Nebraska Public Water System Security Grant Program.

*Maintain the State of Nebraska Public Water System Emergency Operations Plan.

*Provide training to public water system personnel regarding emergency preparedness and emergency response planning (Disaster preparedness, NIMS/ICS, Pandemic Flu, COOP, etc.).

Master's degree in Business Administration, Community Planning or Environmental Studies with work

relating to environmental quality, engineering, physical or biological sciences.

OR

Bachelor Degree in the above or a related field, plus two years of work experience in a similar area. 

Education should include a broad background in disciplines and sciences related to the environment. 

Additional background in technical writing, resources planning beneficial.  Should be proficient or able

to attain proficiency in Word, Power Point, Excel and the Internet.  Some knowledge of soil science,

chemistry, geology, biology, statistics, technical writing, resource planning, and computer

programming preferred.

Other: 

Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation; ability to lift 30 pounds; regular and reliable attendance.

Preferences:  Experience working for a community/municipality.  Knowledge of business practices, to include financial management, planning, and personnel management; and their applicability to maintaining a sustainable public water system.  Experience operating and maintaining a community public water supply system, and a current Grade 1 – 4 Nebraska Water Operator License is also desirable.

Knowledge of:   Local, State and Federal environmental laws, regulations, and standards; biological, physical and chemical sciences; best management practices; fiscal considerations as they apply to the management and operation of a municipal public water supply.   

Skill in: Working with small communities and understanding small community dynamics.  Building teams and coordinating various interests in a synergistic manner.  Excellent oral and written communications is required. 

Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials and with the general public; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; organize, analyze and interpret data to draw conclusions and write reports.  Present and defend agency policy and procedures; prepare complex technical papers and reports; work independently and use the abilities of others to achieve objectives; use computers and other tools for data storage and analysis.