Environmental Specialist II

Department of Environmental Quality; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Remote workdays

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking an Environmental Specialist II (NS) within the Division of Water Resources to provide technical and regulatory support to public water systems across the Fayetteville and Wilmington regions.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in related sciences and two years of experience, with travel, lifting, and fieldwork; a valid driver's license; and certification in A-Surface Water Treatment Plant operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Understanding and enforcing the North Carolina Drinking Water Act and the Rules Governing Public Water Systems
• Conducting environmental field investigations and evaluations of community and non-community public water systems, including water plant and water system inspections and water treatment trouble shooting
• Conducting sanitary surveys of public water systems
• Investigating maximum contaminant level violations
• Source water assessments and approvals for new and expanding public water systems
• Monitoring facility operations and reporting activities of surface water treatment facilities
• Providing technical and regulatory assistance and training to water treatment plant operators, engineers, water supply staff, and utility personnel, and providing support to water systems during emergencies

Education

Bachelor's degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, or natural resource sciences

Job description

Agency Dept of Environmental Quality Division Water Resources Job Classification Title Environmental Specialist II (NS) Position Number 60034402 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 is an Anticipated Vacancy. This position is expected to be available on January 1, 2027.**

This Environmental Specialist II serves as the Water Plant Consultant and provides technical and regulatory assistance to public water supply systems in the 19 North Carolina counties served by the Fayetteville and Wilmington Regional Offices. This position requires certification as an A-Surface Water Treatment Plant Operator by the North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board (this certification must be listed in the application to receive credit for it). This position requires: occasional overnight travel; ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted and move wellhead covers and wellhead tops for inspection; ability to walk several miles through rough terrain, over hills or ditches, during field investigations and tolerate exposure to loud noise, extreme weather conditions, insects, small animals, snakes, and chemical substances; proficiency with computers, internet research, word processing software and spreadsheets; and driving a state-owned vehicle, which requires a valid driver's license.

Key Responsibilities

• Understanding and enforcing the North Carolina Drinking Water Act and the Rules Governing Public Water Systems
• Conducting environmental field investigations and evaluations of community and non-community public water systems, including water plant and water system inspections and water treatment trouble shooting
• Conducting sanitary surveys of public water systems
• Investigating maximum contaminant level violations
• Source water assessments and approvals for new and expanding public water systems
• Monitoring facility operations and reporting activities of surface water treatment facilities
• Providing technical and regulatory assistance and training to water treatment plant operators, engineers, water supply staff, and utility personnel, and providing support to water systems during emergencies

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $52,592.00 - $75,099.00

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above. Job posting details will no longer be available after the position closes.

Supplemental Information

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.

DWR's Public Water Supply (PWS) Section promotes public health by ensuring that safe, potable water is available in adequate quantities to the residents and visitors of North Carolina served by PWS systems by assuring that such systems are properly located, constructed, operated, and maintained. PWS systems provide piped drinking water to at least 15 connections or 25 or more people 60 or more days per year.

• implementation of the mandates of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act
• review and approval of plans and specifications for new and expanding or improving PWS systems
• inspections, investigations, and technical assistance
• emergency responses and complaint investigations
• source water assessment, protection, and wellhead protection
• capacity development
• administration of an operating fee permit program

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 and two years of experience related to the area of assignment; 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.

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.

Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast.