The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is hiring an Environmental Specialist II – Groundwater Geologist to work on contaminated sites in Nebraska. As part of the Monitoring and Remediation Division, your job as a project manager will allow you to work with a multi-disciplinary team consisting of experienced geologists and engineers both at NDEE and with your counterparts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Working closely with experienced teammates and supervisors, you will perform project management and contractor oversight on site assessment projects in the Superfund Pre-Remedial and Brownfields Programs, and complete detailed, well-written technical reviews of investigations and remedial actions related to various environmental cleanup programs such as the Nebraska Voluntary Cleanup Program, Superfund Remedial Program, Integrated Waste Management Program, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Program. In this position, you will need strong written and verbal communication skills to discuss environmental issues with local and federal counterparts, communities, regulated facilities, consultants, the public, and other stakeholders. You’ll gain valuable experience in the investigation, evaluation, and remediation of contaminated sites, and know that you’re making a positive impact in communities by ensuring that everyone is living, working, and enjoying a healthy Nebraska environment.

Assignments may include working as an individual or part of a project team to manage and review projects in the following programs:

• Superfund Pre‑Remedial and Brownfields Programs: Create scopes of work for contaminant investigations based on existing file information and environmental data, prepare contractor task assignments, review work plans and cost estimates, conduct field oversight, review invoices, and ensure reports are prepared in accordance with NDEE and EPA guidance.
• Nebraska Voluntary Cleanup Program, Superfund Remedial Program, Integrated Waste Management Program, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Program: Perform detailed technical reviews of groundwater monitoring plans, geologic and hydrogeologic characterizations, contaminant investigation reports, and remedial action reports. In the Nebraska Voluntary Cleanup Program, this will include evaluating data gaps from previous investigations. In the Superfund Remedial Program, this will include the review of decision documents and contracts. In the Integrated Waste Management and RCRA Programs, this will include the review of Permit Applications and draft Permits. Inspections may need to be performed at any time to ensure that cleanup is occurring in accordance with approved plans.
• Based on the investigation results from any of the above programs, one of the primary duties of this position will be to inform the public about existing or potential contaminant impacts to groundwater, soil, or soil vapor, and make recommendations concerning future remedial actions to address contaminated sites. In addition, assignments may include writing, editing, and reviewing standard operating procedures, checklists, and guidance related to the above programs, and representing NDEE at meetings and in daily contacts with the public.

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. NOTE: Experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Completion of a Nebraska Water Well Monitoring Technician license and Occupational Safety and Health Administration 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response certification is required within six months of employment; a valid driver’s license or ability to provide independent transportation; overnight travel (approximately 10%); participation in the Agency’s Medical Monitoring Program; ability to lift 20 pounds; ability to climb 8-foot ladders; ability to climb steep slopes and over fences; ability to bend and stoop; ability to work in outdoor weather extremes; ability to walk on muddy, icy, uneven terrains; ability to work in an industrial setting; and regular and reliable attendance.

PREFERRED: Preferred requirements include the ability to focus on significant technical and regulatory issues, propose creative solutions to technical problems, manage multiple projects/priorities, complete detailed and accurate reviews of plans/reports, and write succinct review comments. Work experience pertaining to one or more of the programs listed above is preferred, particularly as it relates to interacting with regulatory agencies.

Knowledge of: State of Nebraska geology and groundwater resources; Federal and State environmental laws and regulations; and principles of geology, hydrogeology, chemistry, risk assessments, and statistics.

Skill in: Communicating technical and regulatory issues orally and in writing; managing multiple projects and priorities; and maintaining computer skills with Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Google Earth, and ArcGIS Pro.

Ability to: Apply environmental experience and knowledge consistent with standard environmental industry practice and maintain good working relationships with teammates and the regulated community.