Environmental Health Plan Review Engineer

Health & Human Services; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Health insurance options

Retirement plans

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

The Environmental Health Plan Review Engineer at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division, provides professional engineering support through the review and approval of plans for food and lodging establishments to ensure compliance with codes and regulatory requirements.

Collaborate with local health departments, architects, contractors, and engineers to assess designs and equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering and three years of progressively responsible experience.
• May require registration as a professional engineer (PE) in NC.

Responsibilities

• Review construction and remodeling plans for food and lodging establishments for compliance with codes and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate engineering designs, layouts, and equipment specifications for feasibility and regulatory alignment.
• Consult with local environmental health departments, architects, contractors, and engineers to address technical questions and resolve issues.
• Prepare training materials and deliver plan review instruction to Environmental Health Specialists.
• Develop recommendations related to project compliance and regulatory interpretations.
• Manage assigned work independently with professional engineering judgment.

Skills

Plan review

Engineering judgment

Technical training

Regulatory interpretation

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Public Health Job Classification Title Engineer II (NS) Position Number 60034301 Grade NC18

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well‑being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH)

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About Environmental Health

The mission of the Environmental Health Section of the Division of Public Health is to safeguard life, promote human health and protect the environment through the practice of modern environmental health science, the use of technology, rules, public education and above all, dedication to public trust.

Description of Work

The Environmental Health Plan Review Engineer position provides professional engineering support through the review, evaluation, and approval of plans related to food and lodging establishments to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements. Work involves consultation with local environmental health departments, architects, contractors, and engineers to assess designs, layouts, and equipment specifications for construction and remodeling projects. This position functions within a technical regulatory environment that requires interpreting engineering principles, assessing environmental and safety impacts, and applying established rules and guidelines. Responsibilities also include preparing instructional materials and delivering plan review training to Environmental Health Specialists to support consistency in statewide regulatory practices. The role requires independent judgment in managing technically complex assignments and providing technical guidance to stakeholders.

Key Duties

• Review construction and remodeling plans for food and lodging establishments for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate engineering designs, layouts, and equipment specifications to determine feasibility, completeness, and alignment with food service regulatory criteria.
• Consult with local environmental health departments, architects, contractors, and engineers to address technical questions and resolve plan review issues.
• Conduct detailed assessments related to environmental and safety impacts associated with facility design and operational workflows.
• Prepare training materials and present plan review instruction during Centralized Intern Training and State of Practice courses.
• Provide technical guidance during district and regional meetings to promote consistent plan review practices statewide.
• Review and update plan review applications, databases, and guidance materials to support accurate and efficient regulatory processes.
• Perform project evaluations that require application of engineering principles, including resolving non‑routine or technically complex plan review matters.
• Develop and document recommendations related to project compliance, design modifications, and regulatory interpretations.
• Manage assigned work independently, applying professional engineering judgment to ensure accurate decisions impacting public health and safety.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $63,927.00 - $111,871.00 Recruitment Range: $63,927.00 - $84,274.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required.

• Demonstrated experience reviewing engineering plans and specifications for food and lodging establishments to verify compliance with state and federal construction and operational standards.
• Proven skill conducting technical assessments of environmental health plan review submissions, including evaluation of layout, design, and equipment installation details.
• Intermediate proficiency preparing and delivering technical training materials for Environmental Health Specialists in plan review processes and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated competency applying engineering principles to evaluate and interpret regulatory codes, including building code and FDA Food Code requirements for facility design.
• Documented experience updating and maintaining plan review applications, databases, and guidance materials to support consistent statewide regulatory practices.

Physical Requirements

• Repetitive motions, talking, hearing, typing/writing

Compensation and Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

EEO Statement

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualification: May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

Closing Date

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option.

Valuing Education and Experience

The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post‑secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.