Environmental Supervisor - Water Planning Section

Looking for a responsible and highly motivated individual to supervise, develop and implement the Water Planning Section for the Planning and Aid Division of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). This position is responsible for coordinating a team focused on Clean Water Act (CWA) activities including Water Quality Standards, Impaired Waters, Total Maximum Daily Loads, Nonpoint Source Management, and Nonpoint Source Water Quality Grants. This includes 6 internal FTEs, 2 liaisons, and multiple external grant funded positions. Funding is through several different federal grants all with unique requirements. Products of these programs directly influence all other water programs within the department.

Hiring rate of position: $29.475 Minimum Permanent Hourly Rate

Location: 245 Fallbrook Blvd - Lincoln, NE

Schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Flexible Schedules

• Supervise the Water Planning Section team including hiring, conducting performance evaluations, assigning duties, developing goals, huddles, scheduling and monitoring work.
• Develop, prepare, negotiate, and apply for grant applications, contracts, and work plans for water quality programs. Work with on-line application for grants and reporting.
• Supervise projects to assure that contract conditions and workplans have been fulfilled. Represent agency and present information at public meetings, inter-agency meetings, national workgroups, designated board meetings, or other venues as needed.
• Manage section budget, approve payment of invoices and payment of bills.
• Coordinate activities with other agencies and interested groups/organizations. Provide information and training to interested groups and individuals.
• Review reports, correspondence, work plans, contracts, summaries, etc. developed by staff prior to publication or submittal. Assist with other energy and grant programs in the agency, as needed.
• Responsible for keeping informed of any modifications in federal guidelines for the programs. Responsible for informing management of key dates, deadlines, timetables, and other applicable information that will provide for optimum implementation of grant programs. Responsible for interpreting federal mandates as applied to grant programs and suggests future courses of action based on the mandates.

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 AND two years of professional experience in a related field. Plus, experience leading and/or supervising others related to environmental programs. Experience may substitute for education or a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED: Work experience in water quality, surface water and groundwater monitoring, impaired waters, TMDL development, Nonpoint Source Management. Management of grants and programs, finance, loan/mortgage, financial planning. Supervisory experience of professional staff including experience ensuring that environmental experience and knowledge of staff is applied consistent with standard environmental industry practice. Assigns and prioritizes multiple staff projects to ensure workload deadlines are met. Experience as a program coordinator, a team leader or technical expert on large, complex projects, or as mentor to other technical staff.

OTHER: Valid driver’s license or ability to provide independent transportation, ability to travel with occasional overnight stays, ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Knowledge of: financing projects, environmental laws, guidelines, rules and regulations; department programs related to environmental issues; federal grants procedures for writing and preparing grants; grant management, both in managing grants awarded to the agency and grants given to applicants. Program audit procedures necessary to ensure proper program implementation; state and federal government structure. Grant and contract management, banking and financial industry,

Data collection, analysis, organization, and report preparation processes Skill in: quantitative and analytical review as well as in planning and organizing; working independently; being accurate and detailed; making decisions; and working under pressure and meeting deadlines. communicating with individuals and groups with varying technical backgrounds to collect and relay information; listening to and understanding others; prioritizing workloads; managing various staff and section responsibilities; developing and managing federal grants; using analytical judgment to make decisions; public speaking and providing presentations.

Proficient use of computer software including Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, and GIS, preferred Ability to: train, supervise and evaluate subordinate employees; ensure program compliance with state and federal regulations; coordinate program efforts with other divisions and governmental entities; interpret federal program guidelines; explain the purpose and methods of programs supervised; recognize significant technical and regulatory issues and provide general direction to staff to resolve issues and that the issues are clearly articulated in oral and written communications; communicate on all levels of knowledge relating to environmental and financial issues; organize and coordinate the staff workload to maximize effective utilization of personnel and resources; react to emergency situations rapidly and properly to protect human health and welfare and to minimize adverse environmental effects; interpret environmental laws and programs in dealing with citizen concerns and educating the public.