Environmental Specialist

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County seeks an Environmental Specialist to enforce air quality and waste regulations, inspect regulated facilities, and investigate complaints across the community. The role involves educating businesses and residents about compliance and environmental protection, with opportunities to work with multiple agencies and departments.

The position emphasizes independent work within the Community Hygiene Division, ensuring safe and healthy environmental practices countywide.

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from a four-year college or university in environmental science or related field, with at least one year of environmental control experience.
• A higher education level may substitute for part or all of the experience requirements.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Enforce federal, state and local regulations governing air quality, asbestos, solid waste, recycling, and related activities.
• Inspect regulated facilities and activities and investigate complaints.
• Educate the public and local businesses about best practices and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present cases in district court when necessary.

Skills

Environmental monitoring

Regulatory enforcement

Data collection

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science

Tools

Air quality monitors

Inspection tools

Job description

Performs technical environmental work in monitoring air quality and/or evaluating pollution sources and/or inspecting regulated facilities and activities, and enforcing local, state and federal regulations governing pollution emissions, asbestos, solid waste management and recycling.An employee in this class is responsible for independently performing technical work in specialized areas such as maintaining electronic air quality monitors, permitting of industrial sources of pollution, water quality field investigations, inspection of regulated facilities and activities and complaint investigations. An employee in this class is responsible for enforcing local, state and federal regulations governing solid waste and air quality. Additionally, an employee in this class may provide technical assistance to other agencies, county departments, local municipalities and community groups. Judgment and initiative are required. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated in conferences and by review of records and reports.Graduation from a four-year college or university in environmental science, or a related field, and at least one year experience in environmental control work or related experience. A four-year degree outside of the relevant academic field plus additional years of relevant experience may also be considered. A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement. Maintain a valid driver's license.

This position will be a member of the Community Hygiene Division, which is responsible for a wide variety of environmental regulatory and educational activities to protect public health, safety and the environment in our community. The Community Hygiene staff perform routine inspections of regulated facilities, investigate complaints from the public, negotiate reasonable plans of action for abatement of violations, and carry out enforcement actions when necessary, including assessment of civil penalties and preparing and presenting cases in district court.

The primary duties of this Environmental Specialist position will include enforcement of federal, state and local regulations governing asbestos, solid waste, illegal dumping, recycling, open burning, nuisance odors, abandoned vehicles, inspection of dry cleaning businesses and gasoline dispensing facilities, and educating the public and local businesses about best management practices, regulatory compliance, pollution prevention and environmental protection. This position will interact with other government agencies (federal, state and local), professional organizations, community groups, local businesses and individual citizens.

This position will work independently and as a member of a team in a wide variety of environmental regulatory and educational programs to prevent pollution and protect public health and the environment throughout Forsyth County.