Full Time Water Sampling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $29.46 - $37.62 Hourly
Location : Lincoln, NE
Job Type: Full time/probationary or status
Job Number: 202600302
Department: Transportation & Utilities Department
Division: Water
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Central
Job Posting Information
Lincoln Water System (LWS), a division of the City of Lincoln's Transportation and Utilities Department (LTU), is seeking an Environmental Laboratory Specialist to support the Water Quality Section.
LTU employs nearly 600 team members dedicated to providing reliable transportation, transit, and utility services throughout the year. We value innovation, environmental stewardship, collaboration, and strong community partnerships.
This professional-level position plays a key role in helping the Lincoln Water System Water Quality Section maintain compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The position focuses on collecting and analyzing drinking water samples throughout the city's water distribution system to support regulatory and general water quality monitoring programs such as the Total Coliform Rule and the Lead and Copper Rule, as well as other Water Quality Section initiatives.
Work involves performing field sampling and water quality testing at locations across the Lincoln Water System service area, including City facilities, outdoor sampling hydrants, businesses, schools, private residences, childcare facilities, and other designated sites. The position also responds to water quality inquiries and concerns, exercising independent judgement in conducting appropriate field investigations and providing follow-up information.
This position is responsible for entering and reviewing water quality data in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); preparing regulatory and internal reports; and using digital tools such as Power BI, GIS, and other database systems to monitor water quality trends. The role requires strong computer proficiency, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and communicate technical information accurately.
This position includes a combination of field work and office work, which involves driving a City vehicle and collecting water samples indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. The position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, with occasional assignments in Ashland.
Hours: Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Nature of Work/Examples of Work Performed

• Perform regulatory and non-regulatory water sampling and field testing at City facilities, outdoor sampling hydrants, businesses, schools, homes, childcare centers, and other locations throughout the community.
• Investigate water quality concerns by visiting residences and businesses, conducting field analyses, and assessing potential causes of water quality issues.
• Provide water quality education to the public through community outreach, distribution of educational materials, and direct communication with consumers.
• Support lead-in-water mitigation and compliance activities, including Lead and Copper Rule sampling and responding appropriately to lead plumbing disturbances.
• Document sampling activities, test results, public interactions, and field observations using GIS, asset management platforms, reporting tools, and digital databases.
• Monitor and evaluate sampling locations to ensure they meet program criteria, represent system conditions, and comply with regulatory and internal requirements.
• Report unusual or concerning water quality results to supervisors for additional evaluation and follow-up.
• Perform calibration, basic troubleshooting, and routine maintenance of field analytical equipment.
• Enter, verify, and manage water quality data within the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to support accurate reporting and trend evaluation.
• Participate in ongoing water quality programs such as hydrant flushing optimization, routine distribution system sampling, auto-flusher monitoring, and surface water testing.
• Present water quality information to City staff, elected officials, or the public as needed.
• Obtain a Nebraska Water Operator Grade IV license within 12 months of employment and maintain a minimum of a Grade III Water Operator Certificate, as eligible.

Desirable Knowledge, Abilities & Skills/Desirable Training & Experience
Bachelor's Degree with major coursework in environmental science or technology, chemistry, biology, geology, hydrology, engineering, or closely related field with at least six months experience at a professional level in the environmental field; or Associate's Degree with major coursework in environmental science, chemistry (with qualitative and quantitative analysis), biology, microbiology or chemical engineering and a minimum of two years professional experience specializing in drinking water; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Nebraska Water Operator Certification/License preferred.
• Knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act regulations and EPA-approved testing methods.
• Experience with public communication and customer service.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, GIS, LIMS, and environmental data management systems.

Minimum Qualifications/Necessary Special Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in environmental science or technology, chemistry, biology, geology, hydrology, engineering or closely related field
• Two years of experience at a professional level in an environmental laboratory

Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills may be considered.
Necessary Special Requirement
Possession of a valid driver's license
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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTTo successfully complete your application, please make sure you read each statement below and check ALL boxes prior to submission.

• 1. This application is hand scored.
• 2. ALL questions must be fully answered to receive full credit.
• 3. "See Resume", or answers such as "See ___" are not acceptable responses and will not receive full credit.
• 4. Copied/Pasted answers will not receive full credit.
• 5. ALL employers and education referred to in answers must be listed in the Work History and Education sections of the application for verification and to receive full credit.
• 6. I understand I am responsible for the accuracy and completeness of my application.
• 7. I Acknowledge that I have read and understand each of the above statements.

02
Indicate if you have college-level coursework in the following:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Microbiology
• Environmental Science/Technology
• Chemical Engineering
• Geology
• Hydrology
• Related field (specify below)
• No coursework

03
If "Related Field" is selected, please specify:
04
Indicate if you have a degree in one (or more) of the fields listed in Question 2.:

• No Degree
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher

05
Do you have professional-level laboratory experience?

• No experience
• Yes, less than 6 months experience
• Yes, 6 months to 2 years experience
• Yes, more than 2 years experience

06
If yes, list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience.
07
Describe the laboratory work you performed.
08
Indicate if you have work experience performing the following:

• Performing potable water testing
• Process control testing
• Chemical analysis in the field
• Chemical analysis in the laboratory
• Quality control of analytical data
• Microbiological testing of water
• Water analysis using Standard Methods or EPA approved methods
• Collecting water samples for analysis
• No experience

09
If yes, please list the employers from your application where you obtained this experience.
10
Provide examples of your work experience for each item selected.
11
Indicate if you have experience with the following:

• Safe Drinking Water Act regulatory compliance
• Other State or Federal regulatory compliance
• Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• None of the above

12
If yes, list the employers from your application where you obtained this experience.
13
Provide examples of your work experience for each item selected.
14
Do you have experience using:

• Microsoft Excel
• Database software (LIMS, asset management systems, etc.)
• GIS
• Other related software
• None

15
List the employers where you obtained this experience.
16
Provide examples of your experience for each item selected.
17
Do you have experience working with the public?

• Yes
• No

18
If yes, please list the employers from your application where you obtained this experience.
19
Describe your experience working with the public.
20
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 driver's license from another state must obtain a valid Nebraska driver's 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 driver's 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 Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

21
For verification purposes, please list the state that issued the license and your driver's license number
Required Question