Environmental Specialist II - Livestock Compliance Section

The State of Nebraska is hiring an Environmental Specialist II for the Livestock Compliance Section in North Platte, NE. This role involves conducting inspections of animal feeding operations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, providing technical assistance, responding to public inquiries, and preparing reports. The position focuses on protecting Nebraska's environment, particularly water resources, through direct engagement with livestock producers and public education.
The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Environment and Energy - Agency 84

Location:
North Platte, NE

Hiring Rate:
$25.120

Job Posting:
JR2025-00015616 Environmental Specialist II - Livestock Compliance Section (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
05-13-2025

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 be based out of North Platte, Nebraska and conduct inspections of animal feeding operations in western Nebraska to evaluate compliance with state and federal regulations and permit conditions. The candidate will be working with livestock producers to ensure they meet current regulatory requirements for the proper control and land application of livestock waste. This will be done through inspections, on-site compliance visits, public outreach, and permitting of livestock waste control facilities. Other primary duties include preparing reports and documenting inspection observations including potential violations. Responding to complaints related to animal feeding operations, conducting extensive file reviews and supporting the department's filing process and facility databases.

Job Duties:

Provide technical assistance and information to the public on the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act, Livestock Waste Management Act, Title 130 - Livestock Waste Control Regulations, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, and other applicable rules and regulations.

Conduct on-site compliance evaluations of animal feeding operations in Nebraska.

Respond to inquiries and complaints by federal, State and local agencies, the professional community or the general public.

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

Review permit applications and annual reports for animal feeding operations.

Review EPA guidance documents, memorandum, Federal Register notices, Federal and State regulations, professional journals and trade magazines to stay informed about emerging issues.

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

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.

Help plan and implement training and certification programs in collaboration with the University of Nebraska and various federal and State agencies.

Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Nebraska's environment? Protection of Nebraska's water is more important than ever, and this position will be an integral part of its defense. If you want to work to help our state's water, 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.

It is a very exciting time at our agency! Some of the things you can look forward to as an employee with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy:

Flexible work schedules.

You will be doing work knowing you are making a difference for current and future generations.

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.

What you will do!

Working out of the North Platte Field office, you will be conducting inspections at animal feeding operations and livestock waste control facilities. You will spend much of your week in one or more of the 16 counties in western Nebraska that you will be responsible for ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations. You will write, edit and review reports and correspondence between the agency and livestock producers.

What's in it for you!

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same!

A competitive benefits package, including:

12 days of vacation during first year of service (accruals increase with years of service), 12 days of sick leave during first year of service (accruals increase with years of service), and 13 paid holidays per year. Permanent Teammate Benefits: Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance WellNebraska Health Plan Direct Primary Care (DPC) Mail order Rx (3 month supply) and Specialty Pharmacy program Virtual Visits and FREE Nurse line 24 hours a day 7 days a week Employee Assistance Program Retirement/Investment Plan Early Retirement Insurance Program (55 and older) Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Health Savings Account Flexible Spending Accounts Life and AD&D Insurance Tuition Assistance LinkedIn Learning Access to 16,000+ On-Demand Courses Direct Deposit of Payroll Nebraska State Employees Credit Union Deferred Compensation Plan Paid Holidays Vacation, Sick, Civil, and Injury Leave Military Training or Emergency Duty Leave Teammate Discount Program Charitable Giving through Payroll Deduction (Coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.)

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."

Location and address of position: Craft State Office Building, North Platte, NE

Work schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Flexible Schedules

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.

Other:

Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent transportation
Ability to travel overnight, approximately 25%

Selected candidate is subject to a physical exam and screening along with participation in the agency's medical monitoring program
Ability to lift to 35 pounds

Ability to climb 10 ft ladder
Ability to climb, bend and stoop
Ability to work in outdoor weather extremes during all seasons
Ability to walk on muddy, icy, and uneven terrains and steep slopes to accomplish tasks
Ability to walk long distances

Ability to sit for long periods of time

Ability to work in and around a livestock production setting
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

Preference: Bachelor's degree in animal science, livestock production, feedlot management, agronomy or other agriculture/livestock area. Experience working in the livestock industry.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of: Livestock production, feedlot management, basic farming practices, agronomy, animal husbandry.

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, technical writing skills, word processing, data organization, spread sheets, email.

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.

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.