Engineer I (Flexible/Hybrid)

Department of Environmental Quality; Winston-Salem (NC); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Job summary

Department of Environmental Quality in North Carolina is seeking an Engineer I (NS) to perform field inspections and regulatory support for Public Water Supply systems. The role involves traveling for inspections, reviewing plans, and ensuring compliance with drinking water regulations while maintaining current knowledge of applicable rules.

The position offers a hybrid telework option with routine office and remote workdays, and requires a BS in engineering or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Engineering students with an anticipated graduation date will be considered.
• Professional Engineer licensure/Engineer Intern certification is not required but is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct PWS field inspections, investigations, assessments, evaluations, and audits, including facility sanitary surveys and compliance monitoring.
• Provide technical and regulatory assistance to internal and external stakeholders on PWS subjects.
• Ensure PWS regulatory compliance; develop enforcement cases and coordinate enforcement actions.
• Review engineering plans and specifications for comment, consultation, or approval.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Agency Dept of Environmental Quality Division Water Resources Job Classification Title Engineer I (NS) Position Number 60091013 Grade NC16

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 is a REPOST of position 60091013. Previous applicants must reapply to be considered.

* Engineers with the Public Water Supply (PWS) Section of DEQ’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) are our professional “boots on the ground” who go out to the field to inspect facilities, investigate complaints, and provide technical and regulatory assistance. They understand, implement, and enforce the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, North Carolina Drinking Water Act, Rules Governing Public Water Systems, and related regulations. They provide environmental engineering and public health expertise to PWS systems, officials, and other interested parties. Field work requires occasional overnight travel; ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted and move wellhead covers and wellhead tops for inspection; ability to walk several miles through rough terrain, over hills or ditches, and tolerate exposure to loud noise, extreme weather conditions, insects, small animals, snakes, and chemical substances; and driving a state-owned vehicle, which requires a valid driver's license. Back in the office, PWS Engineers complete related data entry and document preparation/review, review engineering plans and specifications, and keep their knowledge of rules and regulations current. This requires proficiency with computers, internet research, word processing software and spreadsheets. Professional Engineer licensure/Engineer Intern certification is not required but is considered an asset.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct PWS field inspections, investigations, assessments, evaluations, and audits, including (but not limited to)
  • facility sanitary surveys
  • monitoring, reporting, and maximum contaminant level violations and rules violations
  • comprehensive audits of lead/copper and bacteriological monitoring programs
  • potential water sources for new and existing PWS
  • construction compliance/violations
  • compliance with emergency management plan and operation/maintenance plan requirements
  • public complaints
• Provide technical and regulatory assistance to and consult/confer with a variety of internal and external organizations/individuals on a range of PWS subjects and issues
• Ensure PWS regulatory compliance; develop enforcement cases and coordinate enforcement actions
• Prepare, review, and/or respond to correspondence and reports for various audiences
• Maintain current understanding of PWS concepts, technologies, and all applicable rules/regulations; provide training to internal and external associates
• Review engineering plans and specifications for comment, consultation, or approval

Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $76,755.00

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above. Job posting details will no longer be available after the position closes.

Supplemental Information

The Division of Water Resources: The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for protecting North Carolina’s drinking, surface, and ground water 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.

DWR's Public Water Supply (PWS) Section promotes public health by ensuring that safe, potable water is available in adequate quantities to the residents and visitors of North Carolina served by PWS systems by assuring that such systems are properly located, constructed, operated, and maintained. PWS systems provide piped drinking water to at least 15 connections or 25 or more people 60 or more days per year. The section has branches and programs for: implementation of the mandates of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act; review and approval of plans and specifications for new and expanding or improving PWS systems; inspections, investigations, and technical assistance; emergency responses and complaint investigations; source water assessment, protection, and wellhead protection; capacity development; and administration of an operating fee permit program.

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit https://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 an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Engineering students with an anticipated graduation date will be considered. Job offers will be contingent upon completion of their degree.

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.