Job Description:
Come join the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Environmental Section!
Are you interested in working with a team that is dedicated to environmental stewardship and a sustainable transportation system in Nebraska? As a Nebraska Department of Transportation employee, you will join a team of 2,000 dedicated professionals performing important work to provide Nebraska with a safe and efficient transportation system.
As a Student Work Study in the Environmental Section at NDOT, you will assist environmental biologists with threatened and endangered species surveys, habitat surveys, wetland and stream delineations, wetland mitigation site management, biological reporting documentation, and GIS work. You will gain experience with environmental field survey work, reporting and documentation, GIS skills, working with a variety of transportation professionals, and exposure to various resource and regulatory agencies.
NDOT Environmental Section website:
https://dot.nebraska.gov/projects/environment/
JOB DUTIES:
• Assist Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) biologists with threatened and endangered (T&E) species surveys, habitat surveys, wetland and stream delineations, wetland mitigation site management, biological reporting and documentation, and GIS work.
• Field work may include wetland plant identification, soil profile documentation, walking roadside and wetland areas to assist in plant identification, T&E species presence, suitable habitat, and documentation of field analysis by the biologist using survey forms and GPS, herbicide spraying for invasive species, and manually cutting woody vegetation.
• Tasks involve performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and may involve lifting, carrying, pushing, and or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Field workload will depend on time of year and survey needs and will be variable. Some overnight travel may be required. Field work includes projects across the state of Nebraska.
• Office duties will include assisting the environmental biologists in preparing documentation necessary for biological assessments, wetland delineations, Section 404 permit applications, and floodplain permit applications.
• Duties may also include performing cultural resources survey, documentation, and reporting, outfall monitoring and site and facility inspections, and other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS: Must be a three-fourths time student in good standing majoring in a discipline or field related to the work to be assigned. Must be eligible to work in the United States.
PREFERRED: Higher education in Natural Resources (ex: biology, fisheries and wildlife, botany, wetland science, soils, etc.) or related field. Education in GPS survey or geographic information systems (GIS). Experience using Microsoft Office programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
OTHER: Employment may be possible for up to 4 years with proof of enrollment in an accredited college. Class schedules must be submitted at the beginning of employment to verify enrollment and transcripts of grades. Students must take a 30-day break after completing 2080 work hours but may be reinstated after these breaks. Temporary, full time work may be available during breaks. Must be able to work at least 10 hours a week (or more to be determined by the employing agency based on the applicants’ class schedules) when classes are in session. A valid driver’s license is required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of environmental regulations such as Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act is beneficial. Effective communication and project management skills. Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must be able to collect, organize, and present information in a report format. Must be able to travel, some overnight, as needed to conduct habitat and species surveys. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.