Environmental Specialist I - Wastewater

Environmental Specialist I - Wastewater

Salary

$22.52 - $28.75 Hourly

Location

Lincoln, NE

Job Type

Full time/probationary or status

Job Number

202600496

Department

Transportation & Utilities Department

Division

Wastewater

Opening Date

09/02/2026

Closing Date

9/13/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Posting Information

The City of Lincoln is seeking a motivated, reliable, and team-oriented Environmental Specialist I to join the Lincoln Wastewater System, a division of the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) department. In this role, you will be responsible for the collection, preservation and transportation of industrial and domestic wastewater samples; installation, calibration and maintenance of flow measuring equipment; assist with tracking chemical spills and unusual waste discharges; and assist in special water quality studies.

If you enjoy hands-on fieldwork, solving problems outdoors, and contributing to the safety and sustainability of your community, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career.

What You'll Do

• Collect, transport, and document wastewater samples following established standards.
• Assist with installing, calibrating, and maintaining flow and atmosphere monitoring equipment.
• Perform daily fieldwork safely and efficiently while identifying and reporting unusual conditions.
• Support environmental investigations, including smoke testing, I/I studies, spill assessments, and stream or facility inspections.
• Maintain equipment, prepare work sites, and ensure vehicles and tools are organized and operational.
• Collaborate with your team, uphold professional standards, and contribute to a positive, accountable work environment.
• Assist with additional Sanitary Engineering tasks and research activities as needed.

Work Environment

This is an active, hands-on role requiring:

• Working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Descending ladders up to 30 feet.
• Lifting up to 75 pounds.
• Accessing creeks, streambeds, and industrial sites.

Why Join Us?

You'll be part of a dedicated team committed to protecting public health, the environment, and our community's infrastructure. This role offers:

• Opportunities to learn specialized environmental skills.
• Professional development and certifications.
• Meaningful work that supports the quality of life in Lincoln.

Hours: Full time, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a vocational/technical school with major coursework in environmental science or technology, biology, chemistry or related field and six months of experience in the wastewater treatment field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills.

Necessary Special Requirements

Possession of a valid drivers license when operating a vehicle is necessary to the satisfactory performance of assigned duties.

We value each City of Lincoln employee and one way we demonstrate this is by providing an attractive and competitive total compensation package that adds value to our employees professional and personal lives. The following benefits are available for this position:

• Pay increases are available upon completion of the 6-month new employee probationary period, and annually thereafter based on performance.
• We encourage a healthy work-life balance by offering 11 days of vacation leave and 12 days of sick leave annually that you begin accruing upon hire; plus 11 paid holidays and 2 personal convenience days.
• All medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family begin the first of the month following hire, no need to wait!
• 30 days of Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Programs offering work/life services, wellness coaching, short-term counseling, legal assistance, and financial coaching.
• Up to 4 days of Funeral and Bereavement Leave
• $70,000 of Life Insurance
• $1,250 of Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(a) Retirement Plan. If you make a 7% contribution, the City will contribute 9%
• Employer provided Post Employment Health Plan for eligible medical expenses that occur after you leave City employment.
• Optional benefits include:
• Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Allstate Voluntary Plans
• Supplemental Term Life
• Deferred Compensation Plans

01

APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGMENT: 1. This application is hand scored. 2. All questions must be fully answered to receive full credit. 3. Copied/pasted answers may not receive full credit. 4. "See resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses may not receive full credit. 5. All employers, work and volunteer experience, and education referred to must also be listed in the Work and Education sections of the application for verification and to receive full credit. 6. I am responsible for the accuracy and completeness of my application.

• Acknowledge

02

I understand this work involves lifting equipment and items weighing up to 75 pounds.

• Acknowledge

03

I understand this position involves descending by ladder to depths of up to 30 feet.

• Acknowledge

04

Indicate if you have postsecondary coursework, certificates, or degrees in one or more of the following:

• Course work only - Environmental Science/Technology
• Associates Degree or equivalent two years college - Environmental Science/Technology
• Bachelors Degree or higher - Environmental Science/Technology
• Course work only - Biology
• Associates Degree or equivalent two years college - Biology
• Bachelors Degree or higher - Biology
• Course work only - Chemistry
• Associates Degree or equivalent two years college - Chemistry
• Bachelors Degree or higher - Chemistry
• Course work only - Related Field
• Associates Degree or equivalent two years college - Related Field
• Bachelors Degree or higher - Related Field
• None

05

If checking Related Field, please specify the coursework completed. If not, enter "N/A".

06

Do you have experience in the water and/or wastewater field including collecting water and/or wastewater sample?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 1 year experience
• Yes, more than 1 year experience

07

If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If no, enter "N/A".

08

If yes, please give examples of your work experience. If no, enter "N/A".

09

Do you have experience implementing a sampling plan, taking field notes, and/or completing a Chain of Custody Form?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 1 year experience
• Yes, more than 1 year experience

10

Please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If none, enter "N/A".

11

Please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

12

Indicate if you have knowledge of or work experience in the following:

• Installation, operation, and maintenance of automated sampling equipment
• Installation, operation, and maintenance of flow metering equipment
• Installation, operation, and maintenance of hazardous atmosphere monitoring equipment

13

Please list the employers from your application where you acquired this knowledge/experience. If none, enter "N/A".

14

Please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

15

Do you have experience troubleshooting tools and equipment?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 1 year experience
• Yes, more than 1 year experience

16

If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If none, enter "N/A".

17

If yes, please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

18

Indicate if you have experience in the following:

• Personal computers and/or engineering software
• Record keeping, documentation and data collection/management software
• Computerized maintenance management and/or asset management software
• Spreadsheet, database, and word processing software

19

If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If none, enter "N/A".

20

If yes, please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

21

Please list the type of software in which you are proficient.

22

Do you have experience reviewing, implementing, and practicing safety procedures and/or conducting inspections of work sites/facilities?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 1 year experience
• Yes, more than 1 year experience

23

If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If none, enter "N/A".

24

If yes, please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

25

Indicate if you have experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with:

• Government officials
• General public
• Co-workers
• No experience

26

Please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If none, enter "N/A".

27

Please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

28

Do you have experience complying with OSHA standards on confined space entry?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 1 year experience
• Yes, more than 1 year experience

29

If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If none, enter "N/A".

30

If yes, please give examples of your work experience. If none, enter "N/A".

31

Do you currently possess one of the following Nebraska Certified Water or wastewater Plant Operator License?

• None
• Grade I
• Grade II
• Grade III
• Grade IV

32

Please list any other relevant licenses, certificates, or training.

33

I understand, as a condition of my employment for the position for which I am applying with the City of Lincoln/Lancaster County, that I must at all times be legally licensed to operate a motor vehicle. I understand state law requires operators possessing a drivers license from another state must obtain a valid Nebraska drivers license within 30 days of change of residence. Further, I understand that I must notify my immediate supervisor the next working day following a motor vehicle conviction which results in loss, revoked, impounded or suspension of my drivers license. Further, I understand that this document is an official City/County record, and that falsification of this document, or failure to properly notify the City/County of driving convictions or loss of driving privileges will result in discipline, up to and including termination. This applies any time driving privileges are revoked, suspended or limited in any way by any court or the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles or any other Administrative agency of the state of Nebraska or any other state jurisdiction. Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

34

For verification purposes, please list the state that issued the license and your drivers license number.

Required Question

Employer City of Lincoln/Lancaster County

Address 555 South 10th Street, Room 302

Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508

Phone (402) 441-7597

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/lincolnne/default.cfm