Environmental Plan Reviewer

Buncombe County Government; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NC Local Government Retirement System

Employee Assistance Program

Two days of PTO

Sick and annual leave

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Supplemental life insurance

Short-term disability

401(k) enrollment

Job summary

Buncombe County Government seeks an Environmental Plan Reviewer to join the Engineering and Environmental Services Division within the Planning Department. Initial duties center on post-construction stormwater permitting, with potential cross-over to erosion control and water supply watershed permitting.

The role requires a background in environmental science or engineering and relevant permit experience. Office-based with possible hybrid schedule after training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field and two (2) years of experience in environmental permitting, stormwater/hydraulic design, or a related field; or an Associate's degree in engineering or a related field and four (4) years of experience, including at least two (2) years of direct hydrologic and hydraulic design work or plan/calculation review, may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Complete technical review of stormwater, erosion control, water supply watershed, and floodplain development permits for residential and commercial developments; maintain data to track permits and cases.
• Complete plat reviews and approvals inclusive of applicable requirements.
• Assist in the administration of ordinances enforced by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division, including the Stormwater Management, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Flood Damage Prevention, and Water Supply Watershed Ordinances.
• Inspect construction and development projects to ensure adherence to permitted plans and design specifications pertaining to County ordinances enforced by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division.
• Support insurance and banking professionals regarding required performance sureties and assist legal professionals in the creation of operation and maintenance agreements under the guidance of the Stormwater Administrator.
• Provide assistance to the general public by communicating information relative to the ordinances implemented by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division and addressing inquiries and complaints, which may involve visiting and evaluating sites, contacting and assisting property owners in gaining compliance, and enforcing legal requirements of non-compliant locations.
• Assist with updating County ordinances and environmental permitting programs to advance County strategic and long-range goals and comply with legislative requirements.
• Provide technical support to other County departments and to local officials with incorporated municipalities within which the County provides permitting services.
• Maintain records and prepare periodic and special reports; prepare charts, maps, graphs, and other illustrative material for presentation to elected officials, appointed boards, community groups, and concerned citizens.
• Operate and maintain County vehicle.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Environmental permitting knowledge

Hydrology & hydraulics

Analytical data presentation

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or engineering

Associate's degree in engineering

EI/EIT certification preferred

Tools

GIS

CAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on October 01, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on October 01, 2026.

Job Title: Environmental Plan Reviewer Department: Planning External Hiring Range: $62,541.91 - $79,334.30 Compensation Grade: 3005 Posted Internally and Externally

This position will join the Engineering and Environmental Services (EES) Division of the Buncombe County Planning Department. Initial responsibilities will focus on post-construction stormwater permitting, but may also cross over into erosion control permitting and water supply watershed permitting. This position reports to the EES Division Manager/Stormwater Administrator.

The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. This is primarily an in-office position at 35 Woodfin Street, however, once initial training has occurred, a hybrid work schedule with up to two days working from home may be available.

Buncombe County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.

• NC Local Government Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program
• Two days of PTO
• Sick and annual leave
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Supplemental life insurance
• Short-term disability
• 401(k) enrollment

Full benefit details are provided during New Employee Orientation.

Purpose of the position: The purpose of this position is to work within one or more planning specialties (housing, economic development, land use, transportation, environmental and legal aspects) and to perform duties and responsibilities for specific programs related to planning and development within the County’s Planning Department, with a primary focus on environmental permitting programs administered by Engineering and Environmental Services Division.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire)

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field and two (2) years of experience in environmental permitting, stormwater/hydraulic design, or a related field; or an Associate's degree in engineering or a related field and four (4) years of experience, including at least two (2) years of direct hydrologic and hydraulic design work or plan/calculation review, may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience

Knowledge of North Carolina stormwater, erosion control, water supply watershed, and floodplain development permitting regulations and environmental permitting enabling legislation preferred. Engineer Intern (EI/EIT) certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily medium work requiring exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, grasping, lifting, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Essential Functions of the position

• Complete technical review of stormwater, erosion control, water supply watershed, and floodplain development permits for residential and commercial developments; maintain data to track permits and cases.
• Complete plat reviews and approvals inclusive of applicable requirements.
• Assist in the administration of ordinances enforced by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division, including the Stormwater Management, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Flood Damage Prevention, and Water Supply Watershed Ordinances.
• Inspect construction and development projects to ensure adherence to permitted plans and design specifications pertaining to County ordinances enforced by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division.
• Support insurance and banking professionals regarding required performance sureties and assist legal professionals in the creation of operation and maintenance agreements under the guidance of the Stormwater Administrator.
• Provide assistance to the general public by communicating information relative to the ordinances implemented by the Engineering and Environmental Services Division and addressing inquiries and complaints, which may involve visiting and evaluating sites, contacting and assisting property owners in gaining compliance, and enforcing legal requirements of non-compliant locations.
• Assist with updating County ordinances and environmental permitting programs to advance County strategic and long-range goals and comply with legislative requirements.
• Provide technical support to other County departments and to local officials with incorporated municipalities within which the County provides permitting services.
• Maintain records and prepare periodic and special reports; prepare charts, maps, graphs, and other illustrative material for presentation to elected officials, appointed boards, community groups, and concerned citizens.
• Operate and maintain County vehicle.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to stormwater management, erosion control, and floodplain management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, erosion and sedimentation control and related stormwater structures and devices.
• Knowledge of the practices, methods and equipment applied in building construction, landscaping, grading and related construction activities.
• Knowledge of governmental programs, laws, grants, and services pertinent to stormwater management, erosion control, water quality, and floodplain management.
• Knowledge of engineering hydraulics and hydrology calculations.
• Knowledge of state and local ordinances as they relate to stormwater runoff controls, water quality, watershed protection, riparian buffers, and floodplain management.
• Knowledge of management techniques as applied to local government administration.
• Knowledge of research techniques and reporting methods.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of environmental regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and drawings.
• Ability to work with GIS, CAD and other similar mapping and design software; Proficiency in computer programs (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)
• Ability to use civil engineering instruments and equipment.
• Skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with engineers, architects, contractors, property owners, and state and local agencies.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Skill in conflict resolution and tact.
• Ability to work with the public and articulate environmental permitting and planning issues and requirements to a wide variety of audiences.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes.

In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.