ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST I (INSPECTOR)

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Telework opportunities

Paid leave benefits

Job summary

The State of Maryland seeks an Environmental Compliance Specialist I for the Water and Science Administration. This entry-level role focuses on environmental regulatory compliance across multiple program areas, including water pollution control and pretreatment programs.

You will learn compliance processes, work in the field across several counties, and report to the Baltimore Office regularly. Candidates gain experience through field inspections, site visits, and collaboration with state and

Qualifications

• Four years of experience performing inspection or investigation work related to State, federal or local regulation, code or standard compliance.
• Substitution of sixty credit hours in earth science, environmental science, geology, civil or environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, agronomy, forestry or related discipline plus two years of related experience.
• Bachelor's degree in earth science, environmental science, geology, civil or environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, agronomy, forestry or related discipline may substitute the required experience.
• Possession of U.S. Armed Forces Environmental Engineering/Natural Resources experience may substitute for the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections at permitted sites and investigate complaints.
• Review permits/plans, engineering drawings, DMRS, Monthly Operating Reports and historical records.
• Perform on-site compliance consultations across wastewater, industrial, construction, agricultural, wetland, and dam safety sites.
• Apply compliance assistance and pollution prevention strategies, including self-inspections, environmental audits and source reductions.
• Inspect installation, operation, and maintenance of pollution control devices and verify compliance.

Skills

Inspection experience

Regulatory compliance

Outdoor work familiarity

Public communication

Education

Bachelor's degree substitutions for experience in earth science/environmental disciplines

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

MDE is committed to a mission of protecting and restoring the environment for the health and well‑being of all Marylanders, with a vision of healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities and ecosystems throughout the state.

As part of our continuous efforts to optimize performance and drive success the Environmental Compliance Specialist I is eligible for an annual promotion. The incumbent may advance to a higher grade within the classification series, based on satisfactory work performance.

Environmental Compliance Specialist II – Grade 15 ( $63,154.00-$99,603.00 )

Environmental Compliance Specialist III – Grade 16 ( $67,309.00-$106,155.00 )

GRADE

STD0014

LOCATION OF POSITION

MDE - Water and Science Administration
Compliance Program, Central Division
1800 Washington Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21230

Main Purpose of Job

The Environmental Compliance Specialist I is an entry-level position in the field of environmental regulatory compliance. The incumbents in these positions will represent MDE in a wide range of environmental program specialties, including water pollution control laws and regulations related to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/State Discharge Permits for municipal and industrial facilities, NPDES Pretreatment and industrial pretreatment program, Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) programs, Sediment and erosion control, Tidal and nontidal wetlands, Well and septic systems, and Waterway construction.
Employees in this position learn the process of environmental compliance through exposure to and interaction with other programs within WSA and MDE. At the trainee level, a strong emphasis is placed on compliance procedures and policies.
These are field positions, and the selected candidates will perform job duties in the following counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert, Charles, Harford, and St. Mary's.

• Selected candidates will be required to report to the Baltimore Office at least once a week.
• One selected candidate will be assigned to St. Mary's County. This candidate will be required to report to St. Mary's County up to four times a week and report to the Baltimore Office at least once a week.

The incumbent in this position will be required to drive a State vehicle.

Driver’s License

A valid driver’s license with no more than five points is required to operate a State vehicle.

Out-of-State Licenses

If you hold an out-of-state license, you must provide a certified copy of your driving record from the appropriate Motor Vehicle Administration at the time of appointment.

POSITION DUTIES

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To The Following

Inspections and Investigations

• Conduct inspections at permitted sites and investigate complaints.
• Review and interpret permits/plan s , engineering drawings, schematics, Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), Monthly Operating Reports, and historical records.
• Perform on-site compliance consultations across wastewater, industrial, construction, agricultural, wetland, and dam safety sites.
• Apply compliance assistance and pollution prevention strategies, including best management practices, self-inspections, environmental audits, and source reductions.
• Inspect the installation, operation, and maintenance of pollution control devices, and examine business and public records to verify compliance.

Coordination and Communication

• Represent the Compliance Program and the Water and Science Administration (WSA) with the regulated community, the public, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Interview permit holders, complainants, and subjects of complaints to gather facts and determine appropriate actions.
• Correspond professionally with internal MDE departments, other state agencies, local regulatory partners, and NGOs.
• Prepare complete and accurate reports in ETS, ensuring timely responses to all stakeholders.
• Align operations with the WSA Climate Policy and MDE Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy.

Violations and Enforcement

• Apply policies and criteria defining significant noncompliance.
• Prepare digital enforcement and litigation packages for upper management review.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The working conditions for this position may involve exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings.
Specialists visit an extensive range of sites, with consultations taking place in locations ranging from wetlands to sewage treatment plants and construction sites with loud, heavy equipment.
Most of the job involves working outdoors in all weather conditions, which may entail exposure to inclement weather, dust, potential chemicals, and pungent or unpleasant odors. Additionally, a significant amount of vehicle travel is required.
Hazardous conditions may exist at sites. Walking over rough surfaces and terrain on examining sediment traps, stormwater ponds and dikes around heavy equipment presents potentially dangerous conditions which could result in injury. Handling chemical testing agents and taking samples potentially exposes personnel to serious physical harm or impairment. Investigation of unauthorized facilities and/or sites can potentially cause exposure to known or unknown waste materials that can pose risk through physical, chemical, bacteriological, or radiological hazards for which training is provided. Also, natural biological hazards such as soil bacteria, allergens, ticks, rats, mosquitoes, snakes, can be encountered.
At some sites, water quality samples may be collected . This requires personnel to carry chemicals, equipment and tools, water samples, and files. Consultations conducted in the field require climbing over spoil piles, through rock lined ditches, crossing streams, etc.
Many consultations require the use of protective gear such as goggles and gloves to ensure that staff do not come into direct contact with harsh chemicals and toxic byproducts of industrial activity. Basic protective equipment will be provided. Incumbent is expected to provide suitable work clothes for dirty, dusty environments and all-weather conditions, including very hot and very cold weather.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must satisfy the minimum qualifications to be considered for this position and move forward in the hiring process. Please read all requirements before applying.
Experience: Four years of experience performing inspection or investigation work related to State, federal or local regulation, code or standard compliance.

Notes

• Candidates may substitute sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university which includes thirty credit hours in any combination of disciplines such as earth science, environmental science, geology, civil or environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, agronomy, forestry or other related discipline and two years of experience performing inspection or investigation work related to State, federal or local regulation, code or standard compliance for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in earth science, environmental science, geology, civil or environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, agronomy, forestry or other related discipline for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources classifications or Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources specialty codes in the Engineering and Natural Resources field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

Please note that your answers to the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your application to receive credit.
It is preferred that the selected candidate has the following:

• Knowledge or experience working outdoors in various settings.
• Knowledge or experience using Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Knowledge or experience communicating with the public.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
• Employees in this classification may be required to obtain and maintain certification or license in the designated environmental compliance area.

Special Requirements

Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employer with a phone number where they can be reached.

Benefits

The State of Maryland offers a generous benefits package that includes:

• Flexible work schedules and telework opportunities for many positions
• Free mass transit in Baltimore & Annapolis
• Generous paid leave that increases with years of service
• Paid holidays
• Health coverage with low out-of-pocket costs
• Employee & employer contributory pension plan

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity. MDE is dedicated to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated.