The Environmental Quality Program Specialist II position contributes to the fulfillment of the agency’s mission to protect, preserve, and enhance Nebraska’s air, land, and water resources.  Specifically, this position manages Water Quality Standards for Nebraska surface water resources.

• Update Title 117 by conducting the Clean Water Act mandated triennial review and proposing new or revised criteria, making sure waterbodies are designated correctly, and proposing other needed changes.
• Custodian of the GIS database that displays water quality standards and where they apply in Nebraska.
• Ensure Title 117 is properly implemented in other departmental programs by reviewing permits, certifications, and assessments
• Oversee nonpoint source pollution prevention grants and assist with 319 program administration.
• Assist other programs as needed: surface water and groundwater monitoring, data assessment, integrated report, TMDL development, modeling, water quality certifications, managing CWA section 319 non-point source project grants, GIS projects, etc.

Bachelor of Science Degree in the physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental science, geology, biology, agronomy, civil engineering, environmental engineering or a related field consistent with the duties of the position, including soil science, chemistry, geology, hydrology, limnology, biology, statistics, technical writing, resource planning and computer programming field AND one year of full-time professional experience in a related field, consistent with the duties of the position.  NOTE:  Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.

OTHER:  Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation; ability to travel overnight; ability to lift 20 pounds; ability to climb, bend and stoop; ability to work in outdoor temperature extremes, ability to walk on uneven terrains; ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Knowledge of: the principles of ecology, geology and hydrology; biological, physical and chemical sciences; statistical and analytical methods; word processing, spreadsheet and database management computer software.

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 local, State and federal environmental laws, regulations and standards; learn, apply and uphold agency policies and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials and with the general public; read and interpret topographic and geologic maps; organize, analyze and interpret data to draw conclusions and prepare reports and technical papers; use computers and other tools for data storage and analysis; work outside in varying elements and terrains.