- Salary: $49,158.00 – $86,026.00 Annually
- Location: Wake County, NC
- Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
- Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
- Job Number: 25-01016 DWR60035535
- Department: Dept of Environmental Quality
- Division: Water Resources
- Opening Date: 01/28/2025
- Closing Date: 2/5/2025 5:00 PM Eastern
- Job Class Title: Environmental Specialist II
- Position Number: 60035535
- Section: Water Quality Permitting / 401 & Buffer Permitting
- Salary Grade: NC14
- Recruitment Range: $50,633 – $70,639
Description of Work
Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference?
DEQ has an open opportunity for an Environmental Specialist II.
Full time (40 hours per week) with State Benefits.
* As of January 1, 2025, the new salary range is $50,633 – $88,607. *
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.
This Environmental Specialist II provides technical review and processing of compliance and enforcement actions, provides technical support, guidance and outreach to Local Government Buffer Programs, and assists the Mitigation Program on projects. This position requires excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to meet strict deadlines. Previous experience working with streams, wetlands, and/or riparian buffers is not required but is considered an asset.
If not previously completed, NC Surface Water Identification and Training Certification (SWITC) course will be required after hire. Must be physically able to conduct field investigations that may require exposure to inclement weather, hot and cold temperatures, noise, dust, fumes, machinery and/or insects. This position requires occasional overnight travel and a valid driver’s license.
Key Responsibilities:
- Draft and prepare civil penalty assessments from DWR Regional Offices and be responsible for leading projects through post-assessment remissions process including presenting the cases and the pertinent information to the Director for the Division, the NC Attorney General’s Office, and/or the NC Environmental Management Commission
- Conduct field reviews of buffer and/or stream determination appeal calls
- Provide technical support, guidance, and outreach to delegate/designated Local governments implementing the State Riparian Buffer Protection Programs and perform audits as needed
- Assist the Stream/Wetland Mitigation Coordinator and Buffer/Nutrient Offset Mitigation Coordinator on projects, site visits, and other duties that support the Mitigation Program
- Present technical information at training sessions including the Surface Water Identification and Training Certification (SWITC) Course
- Communicate with the public, regulated community, and other state and federal agencies and prepare written reports
The Division of Water Resources:
The Division of Water Resources is responsible for protecting North Carolina’s drinking, surface and groundwater 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, NPDES Permitting, and Water Planning. Learn more by visiting Division of Water Resources.
The Water Quality Permitting Section 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch is responsible for implementing water quality standards and other state regulations within the state’s waters, such as lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands. The Branch comprises Programs such as: 401 & Isolated Streams & 401 Stormwater, Compliance Assistance, Riparian Buffer Protection, Stream & Wetland Mitigation, Nutrient Offset & Buffer Mitigation.
The NC Department of Environmental Quality:
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. 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. Please visit our website at the Department of Environmental Quality for more information.
If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.
Recruitment Range: $50,633 – $70,639
This position is located at: 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 (Archdale Building)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review résumés in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application. Click these links for additional information: Introduction to the Job Application and Addressing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. (Note: These links refer to Dept. of Public Safety process; this process is the same for Dept. of Environmental Quality.)
To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:
- Demonstrated knowledge of regulations, laws, policies, and/or procedures related to environmental requirements or programs
- Demonstrated experience preparing and/or delivering presentations and/or training
- Demonstrated experience communicating technical information and/or recommendations in written form
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
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 oshr.nc.gov/experience-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 (2) years of experience related to the area of assignment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supplemental and Contact Information
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.
DEQ uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
- Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty to their applications.
- If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an official transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
- If applicants earned a foreign degree, foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency, and must be submitted to Human Resources for verification. There are several organizations that perform this specialized service, feel free to use any service of your choosing. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options on their website that can provide credential verification: https://www.naces.org/members.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account and click “Application Status.” If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact: Deborah Williams at deborah.williams@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-9195.
For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com applicant support help line at 855-524-5627 or email support@governmentjobs.com.
Employer: State of North Carolina
Website: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest