Environmental Specialist II (Flexible/Hybrid)

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

DEQ has an open opportunity for an Environmental Specialist II.

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 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.

The Environmental Specialist II will serve as a professional staff member involved in the complex multi-disciplinary areas of evaluating proposed impacts to surface water bodies and regulated riparian buffers from development proposals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform on-site compliance evaluation inspections of DWR-permitted NPDES, Non-discharge, and associated wastewater collection systems.

• Conduct office work related to documenting and preparing correspondence associated with compliance evaluation inspections, staff reports for permitting, entering data regarding spills, and preparing enforcement documentation.

• Perform regional activities required for processing new and renewing permits.

• Draft and prepare necessary documents related to the issuance of 401 Water Quality Certifications and Buffer Authorizations including compliance and enforcement documents and actions as necessary.

• Respond to citizen complaints related to the 401/buffer program area and any assigned county and handling these investigations with tact, consistency, and sound judgement, to address the diversity of public contacts encountered.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional or Assistant Regional Supervisor.

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:  $49,158 - $62,438

This position is located at: 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301, 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 Dept. of Environmental Quality.)

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

• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal and State laws or regulations as it pertains to environmental programs.

• Demonstrated experience in analyzing, interpreting, or evaluating data pertaining to water quality and/or environmental conditions.

• Demonstrated experience in reviewing or designing permit applications, project approval requests, and/or plans for evaluation or compliance with state and/or federal environmental programs.

• Demonstrated experience communicating technical information and/or recommendations to state, federal or local officials, other state agencies, stakeholders, or general public.

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 and two years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.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 Tamara Cherry at 919-707-9202 or tamara.cherry@deq.nc.gov.

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