Environmental Specialist II - Waste Compliance

The State of Nebraska is hiring an Environmental Specialist II - Waste Compliance in Lincoln, NE. The role involves conducting inspections of hazardous and solid waste facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations, preparing reports, and providing assistance to the regulated community. The position requires some overnight travel and includes benefits such as paid holidays, vacation, and health insurance. The work aims to protect Nebraska's resources for future generations.
The work we do matters!

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

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$25.686

Job Posting:
JR2026-00024505 Environmental Specialist II - Waste Compliance (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
04-14-2026

Job Description:
You will be doing work knowing you are making a difference for current and future generations. The agency is seeking a detail-oriented team player to help protect, preserve, and enhance resources in Nebraska. The successful candidate will conduct inspections of hazardous waste generators and evaluate compliance with state and federal hazardous waste (RCRA) regulations and permit conditions. Conduct inspections of solid waste permitted facilities to review compliance with state regulations and permit conditions. Other primary duties include preparing reports and documenting inspection observations including potential violations. Respond to complaints related to solid waste and hazardous waste potential improper disposal, conduct file reviews and supports the department’s filing process and facility databases (Approximately 50% of work). Job duties also could include inspections at wastewater treatment facilities and inspections for Air Quality issues (such as community open burn sites and associated open burning complaints).

This position also oversees the implementation of compliance assistance program for the hazardous waste and solid waste regulatory programs and assists other programs in the Agency on special projects (Approximately 50% of work). Duties are to answers questions from, and provide assistance to, the regulated community, government and the public. This position gives presentations for how to comply with and understand the Department’s hazardous waste and solid waste regulations. This position conducts compliance assistance visits across the state as requested. This position also has specialized duties managing DWEE environmental databases that manage information shared and entered or uploaded to U.S. EPA on an annual and biennial basis. This position requires some overnight travel.

Benefits for you!
• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave equating to 24 days your first year, accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% 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
• A new modern building in Fallbrook with free onsite parking
• Easily accessible from I-80
• Respected as a valued team member
• Business Casual Dress Code
• Monday – Friday – After a 6-month Original Probation Period - Flexible schedules and 10-hour workdays may be allowed 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. Apply to join our team today!

Location: 245 Fallbrook Blvd – Suite #100 – Lincoln, NE

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.
For a complete listing of job duties, requirements, and to apply, go to statejobs.nebraska.gov

“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:
• Assess compliance with hazardous waste and solid waste regulations at industrial, commercial, and municipal facilities through inspections.
• Coordinate related enforcement activities as assigned.
• Conduct complaint investigations and respond to actual or potential sources of environmental pollution. Maintain hazardous waste facility database to measure program objectives Resolve issues concerning facility information discrepancies.
• Organize and interpret data for program reporting and decision making. RCRAINFO, IIS, BRS, etc.
• Testifies at hearings as an expert witness to verify observations and conclusions form data collection and interpretation as required in legal actions.
• Conducts pre-inspection file reviews, documents inspection results, and maintains facility database. Provide technical assistance to the public, the regulated community, and other governmental agencies concerning solid waste and hazardous waste management and the corresponding regulations.
• Documents violations and supports Department enforcement process.
• Reviews draft permits and provide feedback on compliance issues. • Review special waste classification and alternative disposal requests.
• Prepare correspondence and detailed reports concerning program activities using word processing, spreadsheet and specialized agency databases.
• Writes, edits and reviews technical papers and reports to respond to inquiries and complaints and to provide data required or requested by federal, State and local agencies, the professional community or the general public.
• Analyzes data, statistics, charts and tables to prepare reports, technical papers or correspondence for presentation to the general public and/or the regulated community. • Meets with federal, State and local government representatives, and the general public to explain environmental quality program policies and programs.
• Collects environmental quality data as necessary to meet program objectives. • Reviews EPA guidance documents, memorandums, Federal Register notices, Federal and State regulations, professional journals and trade magazines to keep abreast of emerging issues. • Participates as part of a team to prepare and present environmental seminars, events, workshops and public information sessions that aid in the education of the public regarding environmental regulations and policies.
• Under indirect supervision oversee implementation of the hazardous waste and solid waste compliance assistance program, making maximum use of available resources.
• Conduct strategic program planning activities to ensure success of the hazardous waste and solid waste compliance assistance program through assistance visits as requested.
• Attend and make presentations related to the hazardous waste and solid waste regulations at various meetings and conferences; explain compliance assistance programs and encourage proactive action be initiated.
• Partner with local, state, federal and private organizations in a synergistic manner to provide environmental assistance and advice on the hazardous waste and solid waste programs.
• Coordinate activities and work of the hazardous waste and solid compliance assistance program - including agency staff, other state agencies, and staff from partner organizations.
• Manage grants and contracts, as assigned, to ensure conditions and obligations are met.
• Provide training individually, and at meetings, workshops, and conferences for both the regulated community and public related to the hazardous waste and solid waste regulations.
• Prepare news articles, reports and contracts working with internal Public information staff.
• Develop educational and informational material including guidance documents and factsheets that explain how to comply with the hazardous waste and solid waste programs.
• Attend/conduct meeting with local, state, regional and national representatives.
• Research technical/programmatic questions from the regulated community and public to provide accurate information on the hazardous waste and solid waste programs.
• Prepare correspondence and detailed reports concerning program activities using word processing, spreadsheet and specialized agency databases.
• Writes, edits and reviews technical papers and reports to respond to inquiries and complaints and to provide data required or requested by federal, State and local agencies, the professional community or the general public.
• Analyzes data, statistics, charts and tables to prepare reports, technical papers or correspondence for presentation to the general public and/or the regulated community.
• Meets with federal, State and local government representatives, and the general public to explain environmental quality program policies and programs.
• Collects environmental quality data as necessary to meet program objectives. Reviews EPA guidance documents, memorandums, Federal Register notices, Federal and State regulations, professional journals and trade magazines to keep abreast of emerging issues.
• Participates, as part of a team, to prepare and present environmental seminars, events, workshops and public information sessions that aid in the education of the public regarding environmental regulations and policies.

Requirements/ Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: 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.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's Degree with 2 years of relevant experience.

Other (Required For This Position):
• Valid driver’s license or 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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.