Environmental Specialist I - Surface Water - Cambridge Field Office

About the job

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):
10-20-2026
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. Apply to join our team today!

“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.”

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

• 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

• Other:
• 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 wade in or around streams and lakes

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Knowledge of: hydrology and water principles; Nebraska water laws and related State statutes; agriculture and irrigation; streamgaging procedures including the operation and maintenance of streamgaging and sampling equipment; mathematics for computing stream discharge and surface and ground water records; physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water for water quality sampling; mathematics for computing discharge measurements and stream flow records.

Skill in: basic surveying techniques; maintaining and repairing scientific equipment; reading maps and utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS); communicating with the public on sensitive issues concerning water rights.

Ability to: operate, maintain, and repair field data collection equipment; interpret and explain relevant water laws; accurately collect data; measure streams; write accurate and concise investigative reports; use good judgment in all field situations, in adverse weather.

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.