Environmental Specialist I

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference?

DEQ has an open opportunity for an Environmental Specialist I.

It is full-time (40 hours per week) with State Benefits.

This position currently qualifies for a hybrid telework option with routine office and remote workdays. The 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.

The Environmental Specialist I position provides public health expertise to non-community public water supply systems and their owners/operators; implements and enforces the requirements of the federal and state drinking water acts and related regulations.   This position is located in the Public Water Supply Section's Mooresville Regional Office.

The Public Water Supply Section promotes public health by ensuring that safe, potable drinking water is available in adequate quantities to the residents and visitors of North Carolina served by the public water systems.  The Section ensures that these systems are properly located, constructed, operated, and maintained. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Sanitary surveys (inspections) of non-community public water systems.

• On-site field investigations and evaluations of non-community public water systems.

• Investigate and assist in resolving maximum contaminant level violations.

• Maintain, coordinate, and upgrade regional database for non-community public water systems.

• Provide on-site technical assistance to owner, operators, and citizens.

• Occasional overnight travel; and

• Prepare written correspondence/ reports to owners, operators, and customers of public water systems.

Other Requirements

• Ability to walk long distances over rough terrain during field investigations and may be exposed to chemical substances, insects, snakes, and inclement weather.

• Proficient with computer software such as Microsoft.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

The Division of Water Resources:

The Division of Water Resources 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; Groundwater Resources, and Water Planning. Learn more by visiting Division of Water Resources.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality:

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. Please visit our website at the Department of Environmental Quality for more information.

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.

Recruitment Range:  $44,588 - $63,308

This position is located at:  610 E Center Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position.   We will not review resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application.  Click these links for additional information: Introduction to the Job Application and Addressing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.  (Note: These links refer to Dept. of Public Safety process; this process is the same for DEQ.)

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Ability to apply the basic environmental concepts, practices, and theories involved in the design, development, review, permitting, and/or operations of projects/sites and their potential environmental and safety impacts.

• Ability to analyze, manipulate and evaluate information/data, including the use of software.

• Ability to formulate or assist in the development of management alternatives and recommendations.

• Ability to organize and direct moderately complex research or field studies.

• Ability to prepare written/verbal reports; and ability to work with considerable independence.

• Valid driver's license.

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 oshr.nc.gov/experience-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; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Graduating Senior students with applicable degrees listed above with an anticipated graduation date will be considered.  Job offers will be contingent upon completion of their degree.  The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.

DEQ uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to their applications.

If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an official transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.

If applicants earned a foreign degree, foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency, and must be submitted to Human Resources for verification. There are several organizations that perform this specialized service, feel free to use any service of your choosing. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options on their website that can provide credential verification: https://www.naces.org/members

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account and click "Application Status."  If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management.  If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.  If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Diane Patterson at diane.patterson@deq.nc.gov.

For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855-524-5627.

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