Job Description
Reference Number: 5579
Department: Law
Closing Date: 12/10/2026
Job Level: 15
Location: Omaha, Nebraska (preferred) or Spring, Texas
The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $240,000.
Note: It is your responsibility to ensure accurate and updated information is provided when applying for this position. Be sure to add/modify your work history prior to submitting your application.
Description
Union Pacific, a Fortune 150 company, has an open position for an Environmental General Attorney/Sr General Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska or Spring, Texas. The General Attorney – Environmental Law serves as a legal advisor on environmental, health, safety, and sustainability matters affecting the railroad’s operations. This role provides strategic counsel, manages regulatory risk, oversees environmental compliance programs, and represents the company in federal and state enforcement actions, administrative proceedings, and complex environmental litigation. The attorney partners closely with Environmental, Safety, Engineering, Real Estate, Operating, and Government Affairs teams to ensure the company’s activities comply with environmental laws while supporting safe, efficient, and profitable railroad operations.
This role will be filled as either a General Attorney or Sr General Attorney depending on the experience level of the successful candidate.
Accountabilities
- Regulatory Compliance & Permitting: Advise on compliance with EPA, state environmental agencies, FRA, PHMSA and OSHA requirements. Interpret and apply statutes. Oversee permitting strategies for facilities, yards, terminals, fueling operations, and others. Counsel internal clients on environmental requirements for construction and expansion of railroad infrastructure.
- Enforcement, Investigations & Incident Response: Develop legal strategy for federal and state enforcement actions, notices of violation, and administrative orders. Direct internal investigations of significant incidents.
- Environmental Litigation & Claims Management: Manage CERCLA cost allocation matters, cost-recovery and property contamination disputes. Oversee litigation involving environmental torts and environmental impacts. Supervise outside counsel and ensure cost-effective, strategically aligned litigation management.
- Hazardous Materials & Operational Risk: Provide legal guidance on hazardous materials transportation and emergency response obligations. Advise on environmental impacts resulting from derailments and emergency response coordination. Support risk-management teams on environmental liabilities.
- Real Estate, Land Use & Property Management: Counsel on environmental issues related to property acquisition, easements, rights-of-way and legacy contamination. Oversee environmental due diligence for real estate transactions, industrial development projects, and public-private partnerships.
- Sustainability, Climate & Emerging Regulatory Issues: Interpret emerging climate-related regulations and sustainability reporting obligations. Support corporate strategy on environmental stewardship and long-term environmental risk mitigation.
- Internal Advisory & Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as a legal advisor to Environmental, Safety, Engineering, Real Estate and Operating leadership. Support and represent the company on industry association and regulatory stakeholder meetings.
Qualifications - Required
- A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Minimum of 10 years of expertise in environmental law, preferably involving heavy industry, transportation, energy or infrastructure
- Expertise in CERCLA, RCRA, CWA, CAA and hazardous materials transportation law
- Demonstrated experience with federal and state environmental enforcement actions
- Strong litigation management skills, including complex multiparty environmental matters
- Ability to provide clear, practical, legal advice in fast-moving operational environments
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills
Qualifications - Preferred
- Background in environmental aspects of real estate, land use, and infrastructure development
Physical and Mental Job Requirements
Work Conditions
What we offer:
- A strengths-based, engagement-focused, and performance-oriented culture
- Ongoing learning, development, and Educational Assistance (including little to no out-of-pocket cost for online and in-person courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Metropolitan Community College)
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%, plus additional automatic 3% (contribute 6% and UP will contribute 9% [6% + 3%])
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 20% match up to 5%
- Medical, dental and vision insurance, company-paid disability, life, and AD&D insurance
- Health Savings Account (with company contribution) Dependent Care Savings Account and Transportation Spending Account
- Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs
- Adoption/Surrogacy Assistance, paid Maternity and Parental Leave
- Competitive compensation including eligibility for annual merit, bonus, and equity programs dependent on job level and personal and company performance
Union Pacific strives to attract all available talent. We are committed to creating an environment where all people can be their best, personally and professionally, as we remain a merit and performance-based company.
The final salary of the selected candidate for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, specialty and training. This position also includes additional compensation and benefits offered by Union Pacific.
This position is eligible for participation in the Union Pacific Annual Compensation Program. This is a pay-for-performance program which administers annual salary adjustments, cash incentive bonuses and stock equity as determined by individual performance, company performance and program guidelines. Additionally, this position is eligible for health and welfare benefits, retirement, financial planning benefits and paid and unpaid leave. For more information regarding Union Pacific’s nonagreement employee benefits, please visit our management benefits page.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Omaha, NE |
| Industry | Transport and Storage - Materials |
| Salary | $130,000–$240,000 Per Year |
| Company Size | 10,000 employees or more |
| Year Founded | 1862 |
| Website | https://www.up.com/index.htm |
About Company
One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal.
Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
Skills
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