in
State of Nebraska

ATTORNEY I, II or III

State of Nebraska See More Job Openings by This EmployerArrow
  • Full Time
  • Lincoln, NE
March 13, 2025 Attorney

Job Description

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Environment and Energy - Agency 84


Location:

Lincoln, NE


Hiring Rate:

$36.950


Job Posting:

JR2025-00014339 ATTORNEY I, II or III (Open)


Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

04-08-2025


Job Description:

NDEE’s mission is to protect and improve human health, the environment, and energy resources. NDEE’s legal staff support this mission by pursuing administrative enforcement actions, preparing referrals to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office or county attorneys, providing guidance to programs including development of regulations, and coordinating with EPA attorneys as needed. Attorneys monitor developments at both the state and federal level to provide guidance to the agency on emerging issues and assist in updating regulations as necessary. The complexity and autonomy of work increases when moving up through the Attorney classifications.


 

Job Duties:
•    Confer with agency leadership, staff, and other interested parties to seek resolution of cases or other legal/administrative actions or issues.
•    Contribute to or coordinate legal research and investigations to facilitate the administrative and enforcement requirements.
•    Drafts correspondence, motions, pleadings, findings of fact, conclusions of law, agency rules and regulations, orders, and other legal documents to provide legal assistance to other legal counsel or agency management.
•    Serve as hearing officer for public hearings.
•    Advise agency in drafting, reviewing, and analyzing potential legislative proposals.
•    Represent the agency in administrative hearings related to the enforcement of agency statutes.
•    Prepare analysis and legal documents for use by the Attorney General and/or County Attorney’s Offices in prosecuting civil or criminal cases. 

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ATTORNEY I:  Under direct supervision of Agency Legal Counsel, provides basic legal support to higher level agency attorneys in the research, administration, and enforcement of State environmental laws and federally delegated environmental programs; performs related work as assigned. Law school or work experience in environmental or administrative law preferred.

ATTORNEY II: Under general supervision of Agency Legal Counsel, provides legal services for an agency operating under a complex body of law in the research, administration, and enforcement of State environmental laws and federally delegated environmental programs; performs related work as assigned. One year experience in environmental or administrative law preferred.

Attorney III: Under general supervision of Agency Legal Counsel, provides legal services for and representation of an agency with a difficult operating under a complex body of law in the research, administration, and enforcement of the agency's statutory authority and obligations. State environmental laws and federally delegated environmental programs; performs related work as assigned. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise and three years practice in environmental or administrative law preferred.

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Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Nebraska’s environment?  If so, please consider a career with the State of Nebraska at the Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).  At NDEE, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Nebraska’s air, land, water and efficient renewable energy use.  Some of the things you can look forward to as an employee of NDEE:
•    A modern new building in Fallbrook with free onsite parking – 245 Fallbrook Blvd – Lincoln, NE
•    Easily accessible from I-80
•    Flexible work schedules
•    Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
•    Opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! 
•    Respected as a valued team member

What you will do!
The successful candidate will support NDEE’s mission by pursuing administrative enforcement actions, preparing referrals to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office or county attorneys, providing guidance to programs including development of regulations, and coordinating with EPA attorneys as needed. Attorneys monitor developments at both the state and federal level to provide guidance to the agency on emerging issues and assist in updating regulations as necessary. The complexity and autonomy of work increases when moving up through the Attorney classifications.  

What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 13 paid holidays a year. A brand-new office building in 2020 with free parking.  And you will be doing work knowing you are making a difference for current and future generations.
12 days of vacation during first year of service (accruals increase with years of service), 12 days of sick leave during first year of service (accruals increase with years of service), and 13 paid holidays per year.  Permanent Teammate Benefits: • Health Insurance • Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance • WellNebraska Health Plan • Direct Primary Care (DPC) • Mail order Rx (3 month supply) and Specialty Pharmacy program • Virtual Visits and FREE Nurse line 24 hours a day 7 days a week • Employee Assistance Program • Retirement/Investment Plan • Early Retirement Insurance Program (55 and older) • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability • Health Savings Account • Flexible Spending Accounts • Life and AD&D Insurance • Tuition Assistance* • LinkedIn Learning Access to 16,000+ On-Demand Courses • Direct Deposit of Payroll • Nebraska State Employees Credit Union • Deferred Compensation Plan • Paid Holidays • Vacation, Sick, Civil, and Injury Leave • Military Training or Emergency Duty Leave • Teammate Discount Program 
*Coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. 

For a complete listing of job duties, requirements and to apply go to statejobs.nebraska.gov

“The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or genetics.”  

Location:  245 Fallbrook Blvd – Suite #100 – Lincoln, NE 68521

Work Schedule:  Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flexible schedule and 10-hour workdays maybe allowed with management approval.


 

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
ATTORNEY I: Graduation from an accredited school of law and admission to the Nebraska Bar. 

ATTORNEY II: One year of experience as an attorney practicing law including preparing cases, advising clients, and/or interpreting laws and/or administrative policies.

ATTORNEY III: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing law including preparing and trying cases, advising clients, and interpreting laws and/or administrative policies.
 

Legal Requirements:  In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of l943, persons in this class must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.

Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and practice in environmental or administrative law.

Other:  
    You must attach a resume, transcript, and writing sample to your application.
    Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation
    Ability to travel overnight as needed
    Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance in the agency’s Lincoln office.  
    Submit a resume or list on the application specific detailed experience relevant to the position in years and months
    Submit a current list of at least professional references (previous employers) with valid telephone numbers


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 
Knowledge: State and/or federal statutory and case law and constitutional provisions pertinent to agency programs; the techniques of preparing or drafting legal document and forms; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; the principles and practices of legal research; the procedures of trial and administrative hearings; the principles and practices of criminal and civil law administration.

Skill In: preparing summaries, legal analyses, findings and conclusions, briefs and other legal documents, negotiating and communicating with others sufficient to persuade their acceptance of contentious goals or viewpoints; analyzing and interpreting various factors, perspectives, and options and applying critical thinking to resolve issues.

Ability To: prepare and communicate in person and by telephone, emails, summaries, and correspondence, the facts and arguments of a case to persuade others to accept the viewpoint presented; interact with legal associates, other governmental employees, the public, and representatives of parties involved in a case; formulate legal opinions and recommendations based on legal research and investigations; conduct legal research and investigations; identify critical elements of legal questions or issues and select appropriate course of action; prepare drafts of legal documents and forms; interpret and apply statutes, case law, decisions of judicial and administrative hearings, and administrative rules and policies.

*Minimum starting rate of position:    

  • $26.117 Hourly - Attorney
  • $30.186 Hourly – Attorney II
  • $36.950 Hourly – Attorney III
  • *Hiring classification dependent upon selected applicant's qualifications and experience. Minimum starting rate increases 5% after successful completion of six-month probationary period.


 


Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.



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