Environmental Specialist I

Department of Environmental Quality; Winston-Salem (NC); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework option

Job summary

The Department of Environmental Quality in North Carolina is hiring an Environmental Specialist I (NS) for the Winston-Salem Regional Office to support air quality compliance. The role requires knowledge of state and federal air quality rules, strong computer skills, and the ability to conduct on-site inspections and customer-focused communications.

Responsibilities include evaluating emission inventories, performing stack observations, handling citizen complaints, and preparing technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or closely related field, or equivalent experience.
• Thorough knowledge of state and federal Air Quality rules and regulations.
• Strong computer skills and data management abilities.
• Excellent customer relations and verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to operate monitoring equipment and perform field inspections; willingness to climb ladders.

Responsibilities

• Performs on-site inspections and compliance visits at industrial facilities to determine compliance with rules and emission limits.
• Evaluates facility emissions inventories and conducts stack test observations; maintains EPA Method 9 certification for opacity evaluations.
• Responds to citizen complaints related to open burning, dust, odors and air quality concerns.
• Writes technical reports, compliance letters, and enforcement documents; communicates complex data clearly.
• Operates ambient monitoring equipment including ozone and PM samplers; maintains related devices.
• A valid Driver's License is required.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Customer relations

Effective communication

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental/natural resources/science field

Tools

EPA Method 9 certification

Job description

Agency Dept of Environmental Quality Division Air Quality Job Classification Title Environmental Specialist I (NS) Position Number 60035883 Grade NC12

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 position is an Environmental Specialist I position located in the Winston Salem Regional Office (WSRO) and will work in air quality compliance. This position requires thorough knowledge of state and federal Air Quality rules and regulations, strong computer skills, excellent customer relation skills, independent judgment, decision-making ability, and adaptability to policy and regulatory changes.

• Performs on-site inspections and compliance assurance visits at a variety of industrial facilities to determine compliance with State and Federal rules, permit requirements and emission limitations. Must be able to climb ladders, be comfortable with heights, walk long distances and be on feet for long periods of time; and have a good sense of smell, hearing, and sight.
• Evaluates facility submitted air emissions inventory reports and other periodic compliance reports and conducts stack test observations. Must obtain and maintain visible emissions (EPA Method 9) certification in order to perform opacity evaluations.
• Responds to citizen complaints pertaining to open burning, dust, odors and other air quality concerns to determine compliance with State and Federal rules.
• Writes technical reports, general correspondence, compliance letters, enforcement reports, and other technical documents, and serves as an advisor to air quality staff, industry representatives, state and federal agencies, and the general public on issues related to air quality and compliance. Requires effective communication, both verbally and in written form, of technical information.
• Operate and maintain ambient monitoring equipment including ozone and fine particulate matter (PM-2.5 and PM-10) samplers. These pollutants are collected using both continuous gas-phase analyzers and intermittent manual samplers. Other monitoring equipment may be operated on an as needed basis.
• A valid Driver's License is required.

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range: Minimum - $47,703 - $65,438 Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date Above.

The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) works with the state's citizens to protect and improve outdoor, or ambient, air quality in North Carolina for the health, benefit and economic well-being of all. To carry out this mission, the DAQ operates a statewide air quality monitoring network to measure the level of pollutants in the outdoor air, develops and implements plans to meet future air quality initiatives, assures compliance with air quality rules, and educates, informs and assists the public about air quality issues.

Click here to learn more about the Division of Air Quality.

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 one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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.

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today!

State Application Resources / Frequently Asked Questions 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.