Environmental Specialist II

Agency

Dept of Environmental Quality

Division

Water Resources

Job Classification Title

Environmental Specialist II (NS)

Position Number

60035372

Grade

NC14

About Us

The primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and works to advance in all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina's needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life.

Description of Work

This Environmental Specialist II (ES II) position works with the Division of Water Resources’ Collection System Programs (inspections, compliance, and sewer extension permitting) as well as another program area (wastewater, buffer/401/wetlands) within the Mooresville Regional Office. The ES II serves as a professional staff member involved in the complex multi-disciplinary areas of field investigations, compliance determinations resulting from inspections and data reviews, enforcement actions, permitting, and providing technical assistance to permittees to attain compliance with rules and permit conditions.

This position requires: occasional overnight travel; ability to perform tasks required for physical inspections; ability to walk several miles through rough terrain, over hills or ditches, during field investigations and tolerate exposure to loud noise, extreme weather conditions, insects, small animals, snakes, and chemical substances; proficiency with computers, internet research, word processing software and spreadsheets; and driving a state-owned vehicle, which requires a valid North Carolina driver's license. Some emergencies may require a response to occur after hours and/or weekends, on a limited basis.

Key Responsibilities:

-- Take the lead role in Collection System compliance inspections for the regional office. Among many tasks, this includes physically inspecting various components of the collection system (e.g., pump stations, aerial crossings, high priority lines, right-of-way maintenance, manholes, etc.) and reviewing associated documentation.

-- Participate in compliance evaluation inspections for either wastewater (NPDES/Non-discharge) or the buffer/401/wetlands program.

-- Organize and conduct on-site compliance evaluation inspections across the region; consult and make recommendations regarding issues of non-compliance with rules and permits.

-- Consult and make recommendations on permitting decisions regarding program areas covered by the employee.

-- Conduct office work related to documenting and preparing correspondence associated with compliance evaluation inspections, evaluations of submitted compliance data, staff reports for permitting, entering data regarding SSOs and other spills, preparing enforcement documentation, and preparing any permits for regional issuance.

-- Respond to citizen complaints related to sanitary sewer collection systems and any assigned geographic area/county and handling these investigations with tact, consistency, and sound judgement, to address the diversity of public contacts encountered.

-- Outreach, training, program development, and other duties as assigned by the Regional and/or Assistant Regional Supervisor.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $52,592.00 - $55,500.00

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above.

Supplemental Information

The Division of Water Resources:

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for protecting North Carolina’s drinking, surface and groundwater for all waterbodies including lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and aquifers. This environmental stewardship is accomplished through actions including permitting issuance, investigations, regulatory compliance, and enforcement, monitoring and field assessments, certifications, laboratory analysis and testing, planning, water quality standards management, educational outreach, and other efforts. The Division comprises six sections: Water Quality Regional Operations, Water Sciences, Public Water Supply, Water Quality Permitting, Water Quality NPDES Permitting, and Water Planning.  Click here to learn more about the Division of Water Resources. 

The Water Quality Regional Operations Section focuses on service to the regional surface water and groundwater concerns of citizens, local governments and business communities. Regional office staff issue permits for sewer extensions, wetland and stream impacts, and well construction. Regional offices personnel also conduct permitted facility inspections and incident investigations.

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

This position currently qualifies for a hybrid telework option with routine office and remote workdays. The NC Department of Environmental Quality trusts our employees to be self-motivated and successful in hybrid/remote roles. Telework options are subject to change at the discretion of management.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and two (2) years of experience related to the area of assignment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Deborah J Williams

Recruiter Email:

[email protected]