Salary: $24.62 Hourly
Location : Norfolk, NE
Job Type: PERM FULL TIME
Job Number: 25247261
Department: Department of Environment and Energy
Opening Date: 07/24/2023
Closing Date: 8/14/2023 11:59 PM Central
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 efficient renewable energy use. Some of the things you can look forward to as an employee of NDEE:
• A modern new building in Fallbrook with free onsite parking
• Easily accessible from I-80
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as one of the largest and most diverse employers in the State
• Flexible work schedules, including potential remote work
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same!
• Training and development based on your career aspirations
• Respected as a valued team member
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has a full-time opportunity available in the Field Services and Operator Training Section of the Drinking Water Program.
What you will do!
As part of the Field Services and Operator Training Section, of the Public Drinking Water Program, you will be playing a key role in ensuring that citizens of Nebraska have access to safe, reliable sources of drinking water. This section is responsible for the inspection of public water systems, provision of on-site technical assistance, and the training and licensure of water system operators. While you will have the opportunity to interact with water system personnel, and water professionals throughout the State, your primary responsibilities will be providing assistance and oversight to public water systems within a twelve-county region of northeast Nebraska. You will be doing work that impacts virtually every resident, and visitor, of the State of Nebraska.
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package. 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: 209 North 5th Street – Norfolk, NE
Work schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flexible schedule, remote work, and/or 10-hour workdays may be allowed with management approval.
Examples of Work
• Conduct surveys and inspections of public water systems to ensure compliance with State and Federal safe drinking water regulations.
• Provide on-site enforcement and guidance on violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to public water system operators and owners.
• Provide technical assistance to water system operators and owners on modifications necessary for water system compliance.
• Investigates complaints of potential health risks associated with a public water system.
• Attend public meetings to explain SDWA regulations and compliance requirements to public water system owners, local officials, and water consumers.
• Conduct inspections of new public water well sites to assist in determining suitability for both water quality and quantity.
• Oversee portions of the construction process of public water wells, storage facilities, distribution systems and water system facilities and assist with final inspections.
• Prepare technical reports of findings following water system surveys and inspections.
• Participate in developing coursework and provide instruction for water operators at conferences and in the classroom.
• Attend public functions to promote safe drinking water and education of the public relating to public water systems.
• Participate in diverse projects within the scope of the Department’s mission.
• Work independently.
Qualifications / Requirements
REQUIREMENTS: 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. NOTE: Experience may substitute for education or a year-for-year basis.
PREFERRED: Experience operating a public water system, including work with water production, distribution, storage, and treatment facilities, with current licensure as a water operator desired.
OTHER: Must have the qualifications necessary to obtain a Grade I Water Operator license as listed in Title 179 NAC 10-005,01(3)(a, b, c, d) within four years of hire. Valid driver’s license or ability to provide independent transportation; minimal overnight travel; ability to walk on uneven terrains and steep slopes; ability to bend and stoop; Ability to work Independently in the Norfolk area (Burt, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Thurston, and Wayne Counties). Regular and reliable attendance.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: General principles of hydrology, geology, engineering, mechanics, electricity, chemistry, and biology as they apply to the operation and evaluation of public water supply systems to include source water, treatment, storage, delivery, and protection of drinking water.
Skill in: Communicating with individuals and groups with varying technical backgrounds to collect and relay information; prioritizing workloads: working independently.
Ability to: Learn, interpret, and apply applicable Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to safe drinking water; read and understand water system plans and specifications; understand necessary operation and maintenance procedures, assess potential public health risks; provide guidance and technical assistance to operators and local officials; and prepare written reports of findings.
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! For more information on benefits currently offered to permanent teammates, please visit:
01
Do you have a 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 AND two years of professional experience in a related field. Plus, experience leading and/or supervising others related to environmental programs.
02
Please list degree(s) and the University/College(s) you received them from.
03
Please list your relevant work experience in detail with the number of years and months worked.
04
Do you have a valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation for yourself?
- a. Yes
- b. No
05
Do you have the ability to occasionally travel overnight?
- a. Yes
- b. No
06
Do you have the ability to walk on uneven terrains and steep slopes?
- a. Yes
- b. No
07
Do you have the ability to bend and stoop?
- a. Yes
- b. No
08
Do you have the ability to work Independently in the Norfolk area (Burt, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Thurston, and Wayne Counties).
- a. Yes
- b. No
09
Do you have the ability to maintain regular & reliable attendance?
- a. Yes
- b. No
10
Do you have four years’ experience as a licensed water operator for a community public water supply system, as a regulatory agent of public water systems or as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems OR other qualifications necessary to obtain a Grade I Water Operator license as listed in Title 179 NAC 10-005,01(3)(a, b, c, d) within four years of hire.
- a. Yes
- b. No
11
Please list in detail with years and months your experience operating and maintaining water production, distribution and/or storage facilities for a Community Public Water System.
12
Please list in detail your experience operating and maintaining a water treatment plant involving filtration and/or ion exchange system for a Community Public Water System.
13
Please list in detail your experience as a Water Utility Superintendent, Director, Manager, etc. for a Community Public Water System.
14
What Nebraska Water Operator Licenses do you currently hold? Check all that apply
- a. None
- b. Grade 6
- c. Grade 4
- d. Grade 3
- e. Grade 2
- f. Grade 1
15
Please list in detail any Post-High School Coursework/Degrees.
16
Please list in detail your experience as a regulatory agent, or as a provider of technical assistance.
17
Please describe in detail your experience working with the public/customers, including the years and months of experience.
18
Please list in detail your experience speaking with, or giving oral presentations to, public or peer groups (instructor/trainer, conference/workshop speaker, boards/councils, etc.).
19
Please list in detail your experience in coordinating and/or managing multiple duties and responsibilities with minimum supervision.
20
How would you describe your usage of Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, etc.).
- a. Daily
- b. Weekly
- c. Seldom
- d. Never
21
To be given credit, everything you say in these supplemental questions must be documented in the Work Experience or Education sections of the application form. Have you reviewed your application to be sure it contains enough information to support and verify your answers to these questions?
- a. Yes
- b. No
Required Question