<p>The work we do matters!</p> <p>Hiring Agency:</p> <p>Ethanol Board - Agency 60</p> <p>Location:</p> <p>Lincoln, NE</p> <p>Hiring Rate:</p> <p>$29.113</p> <p>Job Posting:</p> <p>JR2025-00016323 Projects & Research Manager (Open)</p> <p>Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):</p> <p>05-20-2025</p> <p>Job Description:</p> <p>The Nebraska Ethanol Board seeks applicants for a Projects & Research Manager. Under limited supervision from the Executive Director, the Projects & Research Manager services this state government agency through work including, but not limited to: directing and managing overall research and development activities, stakeholder relations, industry engagement, and technical and legislative content conception.</p> <p>In 1971 the Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Gasohol Committee-now the Nebraska Ethanol Board-the only state government agency in the U.S. devoted solely to the development of the ethanol industry. Today, the Nebraska Ethanol Board continues its mission to promote ethanol production and use in Nebraska, serving as a primary resource for ethanol producers, fuel retailers, developers, media, regulators, consumers, and policymakers.</p> <p>Look at what we have to offer!</p> <ul> <li>13 paid holidays </li><li>Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately </li><li>Military leave </li><li>156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement </li><li>Tuition reimbursement </li><li>Employee assistance program </li><li>79% employer paid health insurance plans </li><li>Dental and vision insurance plans </li><li>Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy </li><li>Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government </li><li>Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State </li><li>Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service </li><li>Training and Development based on your career aspirations </li><li>Fun, inviting teammates </li><li>A safe and secure environment </li></ul> <p>At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!</p> <p>Job duties</p> <ul> <li> <p>Lead the agency's technical research and development activities. Conduct literature surveys and solicit public and private research institutions for project opportunities.</p> </li><li> <p>Coordinate, plan, initiate, and complete strategic and visible research projects in the areas of ethanol, renewable fuels, and the broader bioeconomy.</p> </li><li> <p>Steward agency-funded research activities through the scientific peer-review process. Promote results by way of targeted media activities, search engine optimization, and communication with policymakers and industry stakeholders.</p> </li><li> <p>Advise the NEB Executive Director of new or emerging research topics by conducting individual research and analysis.</p> </li><li> <p>In lieu of the Executive Director as needed, serve as a subject matter expert to other state agencies including Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Department of Economic Development, etc.</p> </li><li> <p>In lieu of the Executive Director as needed, serve as a technical and information resource for the Nebraska Legislature and other officials with whom the Board works on public policy initiatives.</p> </li><li> <p>Engage with industry partners to maintain and further NEB relations with all relevant stakeholders.</p> </li><li> <p>Communicate directly with personnel at Nebraska ethanol facilities to foster productive relationships and learn how the NEB can assist these facilities, especially in relation to value-added trainings and research projects led by the NEB.</p> </li><li> <p>Periodically provide expert testimony at legislative and regulatory hearings.</p> </li><li> <p>Serve as subject matter expert on industry regulation and legislation, including by tracking state and federal rulemaking and legislation pertaining to agency functions, ethanol, and related industry issues.</p> </li><li> <p>Manage data collection and analytics to aid in state and federal policy development. This includes production, imports, exports, new emerging biofuels markets, co-product diversification, bio-campus joint ventures, and fuel usage in Nebraska. Will also compile cost savings and emissions reductions by Nebraska consumer-use of these products.</p> </li><li> <p>Spearhead low carbon fuel alternative and sustainability initiatives across Nebraska's 24 ethanol plants and 1,500 fuel retailers. Maintain database of fuel retailers selling ethanol blends.</p> </li><li> <p>Gather and analyze marketing information from various sources including fuel retailers and wholesalers, ethanol producers, agency staff, marketing publications and fuel databases in order to track sales trends and ethanol sales volume.</p> </li><li> <p>Serve as the NEB's in-house statistical, technical, and data expert by collecting, organizing, analyzing, and keeping current the NEB's repository of statistical information and data.</p> </li><li> <p>Write, publish, and disseminate technical issue briefs regarding pertinent topics in industry.</p> </li><li> <p>In conjunction with the Executive Director, engage in market research and development to generate business opportunities in Nebraska in ethanol, renewable fuels, agriculture, and the broader bioeconomy.</p> </li><li> <p>Supervise maintenance of comprehensive reports of ethanol industry production capacity.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with state agencies and private sector entities, especially for business development related to the biofuels sector.</p> </li><li> <p>Act as agency spokesperson with media outreach in lieu of Executive Director, as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Contribute as needed to NEB communications and media efforts, including but not limited to: media responses to state and national ethanol industry activity, opinion articles, talking points, press releases, social media posts, and website blog posts.</p> </li><li> <p>Engage, collaborate and foster relationships with allied industry groups and advocacy organizations. Participate in industry-wide steering committees and task forces, as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Assist with key annual biofuel events and industrial training seminars. Coordinate industry-training programs alongside the Executive Director and Board's technical advisors.</p> </li><li> <p>Travel to conferences, events and meetings both in and out-of-state, up to 25% of time required.</p> </li><li> <p>Keep abreast of current ethanol and agriculture trends and new information through participation in conferences, training sessions, phone calls, hearings, and meetings relating to areas of assigned responsibility.</p> </li><li> <p>Other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification.</p> </li></ul> <p>Requirements / Qualifications</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in project management, business administration, public administration, business information systems, or a field related to the functions of the hiring agency AND four years of experience as a project manager with the responsibility to oversee the coordination, planning, initiation, and completion of major/long-term projects OR Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP).</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications: Understanding of the academic research process and technical writing requirements. Strong public speaking capabilities with experience acting as a spokesperson for an organization. Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and government processes. Knowledge of agriculture, renewable fuels, and business recruitment.</p> <p>Other: This position requires travel. As such, the incumbent must be able to present a valid driver's license or another form of reliable transportation. Regular and reliable attendance is required.</p> <p>Benefits</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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</p> <p>Equal Opportunity Statement</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>