Environmental Specialist II

Department of Environmental Quality; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) - Office of Continuous Improvement seeks an Environmental Specialist II (NS) to provide permitting support, regulatory oversight, and technical assistance across programs such as 401 Water Quality Certifications and buffer management. This EHRA-exempt, full-time role in Asheville coordinates inspections, mentors staff, and advises permittees.

A bachelor's degree in a related science plus two years of experience is required, along with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences and two years of related experience.
• EHRA-exempt status with the Department of Environmental Quality.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Perform outreach to regulated community and government partners to promote education of applicable regulations.
• Perform compliance inspections and provide technical assistance and regulatory guidance for applicants requesting 401 Water Quality Certifications.
• Communicate inspection results with permittees, owners, officials or workers and prepare inspection reports and related correspondence.
• Review and process WQC applications, including assisting with stormwater management plan review as necessary.
• Respond to citizen complaints and inspect sites where water quality standards and other rules have possibly been contravened.
• Communicate regulatory guidance and water quality education to permittees, applicants and the general public.
• Issue Notices of Violation and assess civil penalties when necessary, provide additional guidance or documentation to restore compliance.
• Assist central office staff with complex Individual Permit reviews.

Skills

Permitting

Regulatory oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Job description

Agency Dept of Environmental Quality Division Office of Continuous Improvement Job Classification Title Environmental Specialist II (NS) Position Number 65040210 Grade NC14

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 Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA) with the exception of Articles 6 and 7. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with applicable State Benefits.*

This position provides permitting support, regulatory oversight, technical assistance, regulatory guidance and education to the public and permittees for various program areas, including 401 Water Quality Certifications, State buffer rules, water quality standards and water resource protection. Acts as alternate team lead or lead support for the Asheville Regional Office (ARO) 401/wetland team coordinating inspections, reviewing enforcements, facilitating team meetings, ensuring team members are training, mentoring new staff and providing guidance on more complex permitting decisions.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Perform outreach to regulated community and government partners as resources allow to promote education of applicable regulations with the goal of preventing non-compliant activities.
• Perform compliance inspections and provide technical assistance and regulatory guidance for applicants requesting 401 Water Quality Certifications (WQC) and buffer authorizations.
• Communicate inspection results with permittees, owners, officials or workers and prepare inspection reports and related correspondence.
• Review and process WQC applications, including assisting with stormwater management plan (when required by a 401) review as necessary.
• Respond to citizen complaints and inspect sites where water quality standards and other rules have possibly been contravened.
• Communicate regulatory guidance, technical assistance and water quality education to permittees, applicants and the general public.
• Issue Notices of Violation and assess civil penalties when necessary, provide any additional guidance, support or documentation to restore compliance with regulations.
• Assist central office staff with complex Individual Permit (IP) reviews.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $52,592 - $83,672

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above.

The Office of Continuous Improvement

The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) partners with programs across the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) by combining expertise in business process improvement, data strategy, compliance, grants management, and engineering. OCI helps strengthen the systems and processes that support the Department's mission. Working collaboratively with DEQ divisions, OCI develops and enhances workflows that enable the effective and efficient administration of grant funding for infrastructure, resilience, and disaster recovery initiatives. The office is also charged with working with divisions on data strategy, grant contract management, and grant disbursements.

The Division of Water Resources

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for protecting North Carolina's drinking, surface, and ground water for all waterbodies including lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and aquifers. This environmental stewardship is accomplished through actions including permitting issuance, investigations, regulatory compliance, and enforcement, monitoring and field assessments, certifications, laboratory analysis and testing, planning, water quality standards management, educational outreach, and other efforts. The Division comprises six sections: Water Quality Regional Operations, Water Sciences, Public Water Supply, Water Quality Permitting, Water Quality NPDES Permitting, and Water Planning.

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

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 and two years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A valid driver's license is required.

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.

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.