Environmental Specialist I - Surface Water - Cambridge Field Office

son; Cambridge (NE); On-site; USD 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

State retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Career advancement opportunities

Diversity and inclusion

Training and development

Safe work environment

Job summary

The State of Nebraska's Department of Water, Energy & Environment (DWEE) seeks an Environmental Specialist I for the Cambridge Field Office to collect, analyze, and report surface water data and regulate irrigators in their district. Frequent travel and field duties are required.

Minimum qualifications include an associate degree or two years related experience; valid driver's license; willingness to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors in temp extremes.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Associate 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 OR two years of work experience in a related area
• Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent transportation
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Submit a resume with detailed experience in years and months
• Submit a current list of professional references with valid contact numbers
• Be able to identify crops and irrigation equipment
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to climb a 10 ft ladder
• Ability to climb, bend & stoop
• Ability to work in outdoor temperature extremes
• Ability to walk on uneven terrains and steep slopes to accomplish tasks

Responsibilities

• Works with irrigators, Irrigation Districts, Natural Resources Districts, and others in the performance of field office responsibilities
• Field office responsibilities include streamgaging, streamgage maintenance, streamgage construction, irrigation meter reading, and surveying gage datum
• Conducts field investigations and dam inspections for implementing state law and regulations
• Preparation of inspection notifications and Water Administration letters
• Participates in hearings for agency regulatory purposes

Education

Associate degree or 2 years related experience

Job description

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency: Water, Energy, and Environment - Agency 84

Location: Cambridge, NE

Hiring Rate: $24.432

Job Posting: JR2026-00029313 Environmental Specialist I - Surface Water - Cambridge Field Office (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 10-06-2026

Job Description:

Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Nebraska's environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Nebraska at the Department of Water, Energy & Environment (DWEE). At DWEE, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Nebraska's air, land, water, and energy resources. If you answer yes, then we might be the team for you!

We are looking for an enthusiastic and positive team member as an addition to the Cambridge Field Office of the Water Administration Division. Our small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planners and technical experts provides a supportive and collaborative work environment that offers many opportunities to learn and grow professionally.

This position performs technical professional work in collecting, analyzing and reporting various surface and ground water data and regulating irrigators and other water users in the assigned field office area. This candidate will work with irrigators, Irrigation Districts, Natural Resources Districts, and others in the performance of field office responsibilities. Measure streamflow, conduct field investigations, inspect dams, assist with the preparation of orders, and participate in hearings for agency regulatory purposes. Frequent day travel within the field office service area and occasional overnight travel is required.

Benefits For You!

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave equating to 24 days your first year, accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the state
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

Work Location: Cambridge

Work schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Flexible schedule, 10-hour workdays allowed after six-month probation with management approval.

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority.

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or genetics.

Job Duties:

Works with irrigators, Irrigation Districts, Natural Resources Districts, and others in the performance of field office responsibilities. Field office responsibilities include, streamgaging streamgage maintenance, streamgage construction, irrigation meter reading, and surveying gage datum. Conducts field investigations, CREP investigations, and dam inspections for maintaining rules and regulations set by Nebraska State Law. Preparation of Dam inspection notification and Water Administration letters. Participates in hearings for agency regulatory purposes

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Associates 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 OR two years of work experience in a related area

Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent transportation

Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Submit a resume or list on the application specific detailed experience relevant to the position in years and months

Submit a current list of at least professional references (previous employers) with valid telephone numbers.

Be able to identify crops and irrigation equipment.

Ability to lift 50 pounds.

Ability to climb a 10 ft ladder

Ability to climb, bend & stoop

Ability to work in outdoor temperature extremes

Ability to walk on uneven terrains and steep slopes to accomplish tasks

Ability to