Under general supervision, draft or assist in the drafting of wastewater, stormwater, pretreatment or other discharge permits that protect water quality in receiving water bodies in Nebraska.  This position is responsible for calculating waste load allocations (WLAs) for pollutants being discharged from municipal wastewater treatment facilities (WTFs) and industries across the state.  The individual in this position will write state Construction and Operating Permits for livestock operations and review general permit applications.

Determines the need for, reviews applications for and writes permits as required by discharge regulations for wastewater treatment.  Reviews permit applications and prepares draft permits for regulatory compliance, including water quality-based permit limitations and engineering review under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

Performs water quality modeling using mass balance, steady state, CorMix, or other methods to calculate waste load allocations to be used to create permit limits or determine the reasonable potential of discharged pollutants.

Communicates with programs, agencies, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), permittees and the public.

Meets with federal, State, and local government representatives and the general public to explain environmental quality program policies and programs. Communicates technical program information and conducts presentations at conferences and meetings.

Testifies at hearings as an expert witness to verify observations and conclusions from data collection and interpretation as required in legal actions.  Presents facts and general information about the permit development process and permit requirements at public hearings.

Develops strategies, modeling techniques, methods, protocol, and standards to implement environmental protection plans and programs for use within the State.  Utilizes and interprets hydrological models to evaluate and determine appropriate permit limits for facilities. Uses advanced statistical and computer modeling techniques to interpret environmental quality data and writes reports to identify problems and pollution abatement alternatives.

Write, edit, and review routine correspondence to/with animal feeding operations, consultants, and the public.

Develop guidance documents for use by the public explaining the applicable rules and regulations governing animal feeding operations.  Assist in the writing, review and revision of technical guidelines, regulations and Agency policies, procedures, and protocols to implement environmental plans and programs.

Prepare and present seminars, workshops, and public information sessions that aid in the education of the public regarding environmental regulations and policies that affect livestock producers. 

Attend recommended regulatory, management and other professional development training courses.

Review EPA guidance documents, memorandum, Federal Register notices, Federal and State regulations, professional journals, and trade magazines to keep abreast of emerging issues.

Review applications and write construction and operating permits for holding ponds, lagoons, and other livestock waste control facilities.

Reviews and makes recommendations for approval or denial of permits, certifications, facility plans, environmental impact statements, etc.; conducts compliance evaluations of permitted facilities to ensure continued conformance with permit provisions.

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.

Other: Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation.  Ability to travel overnight, approximately 10%. Ability to lift to 30 pounds.  Ability to climb, bend and stoop.  Ability to work in outdoor weather extremes during all seasons.  Ability to walk on muddy, icy, and uneven terrain.  Ability to walk long distances.   Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance. 

Knowledge of: the principles of agronomy, 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 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.