Environmental Specialist I - State Energy

The State of Nebraska is hiring an Environmental Specialist I for the Department of Environment and Energy in Lincoln, NE. This role involves coordinating the review of Dollar and Energy Savings Loan applications, maintaining databases, and communicating with lenders. Applicants should be passionate about environmental preservation. The position offers benefits like paid holidays, vacation, retirement match, and opportunities for professional growth. The job is not remote and is located in a modern office.
The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Environment and Energy - Agency 84

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$23.368

Job Posting:
JR2025-00016572 Environmental Specialist I - State Energy (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
06-10-2025

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 Environment and Energy (NDEE). At NDEE, 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 State Energy and Dollar Energy program. 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.

Let us show off what you get!
• 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
• 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!

Under general supervision, you will serve as an Environmental Specialist I in the Dollar and Energy Savings Loan (DESL) and Energy Planning Section. You will be responsible for coordinating the review and approval of DESL applications and provide communications and outreach to Nebraska lenders to raise awareness of DESL program.

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

Job Duties:
• This position coordinates the review and processing of DESL program applications and supporting documentation within a prescribed and desirable time frame. Maintains DESL program database and coordinates loan data collection. Works with internal departments as well as external organizations to obtain related documentation or obtain necessary information needed to complete loan applications and payments to lenders. Performs accurate loan payment calculations and adjustments for loan modifications and refinances. Monitors and maintains detailed records for DESL loans that have delinquent payments or have been reported to the agency by the lender as in default.
• Contacts lenders to schedule loan file reviews and on-site energy inspections. Conducts lender loan file reviews to verify compliance with DESL program requirements. Conducts onsite compliance, monitoring visits, project inspections with program recipients and documents and reports findings as necessary. Prepares professional reports, based on on-site inspections and loan file review.
• Assists with collecting, preparing, and entering energy, economic and environmental impact data related to agency programs into a database and conducts statistical analysis. Assists the Energy Technical advisor in implementing commercial and industrial energy conservation services and projects, and solar inquiries.
• Maintains frequent contact with and makes calls on existing or potential stakeholders in the Agency's programs, such as lenders, contractors, and service providers. Contacts private firms, citizen groups and individuals to encourage participation in energy conservation programs. Provides energy management assistance to persons in the private, commercial, and public sectors for all types of energy related problems, such as wind energy, solar energy, insulation, and various heating, cooling and conservation systems.
• Appears before groups to disseminate information on energy conservation through distribution of literature, preparation of displays, and answering questions. Participates in workshops, seminars, and other gatherings to promote energy conservation. Acts as liaison between the Department of Environment and Energy and various local agencies and private and commercial facilities.

Requirements/Qualifications

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

Other:
• Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent transportation;
• Occasional overnight travel 5 - 10%
• Ability to lift 30 pounds
• 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

Preferred: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, management, engineering, public administration, or related field plus two years of experience in finance, banking, business, accounting, or in energy, environmental and natural resources, or in business development fields.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Knowledge of: Banking and financial industry, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy production and/or conservation of natural resources. Data collection, analysis, organization, and report preparation processes; energy issues and trends; state and federal regulations pertaining to energy conservation programs; energy conservation concepts; technical and engineering processes.

Skills: Excellent written and oral communication; prioritizing workloads; analytical and judgment skills; computer application software skills. Quantitative and analytical review; planning and organizing; working independently; being accurate and detailed; making decisions; and working under pressure and meeting deadlines.

Ability to: Work with a variety of people with diverse interests and backgrounds; present new ideas and observations to a variety of people in an easily understood manner; call on potential program participants, financial institutions, and vendors

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.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.