- Employer: State of North Carolina
- Salary: $50,633.00 – $88,607.00 Annually
- Location: Wake County, NC
- Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
- Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
- Job Number: 25-05666 DMS60036243
- Department: Dept of Environmental Quality
- Division: Mitigation Services
- Opening Date: 05/01/2025
- Closing Date: 5/15/2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
- Job Class Title: Environmental Specialist II
- Position Number: 60036243
- Salary Grade: NC14
Description of Work
Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference?
DEQ has an open opportunity for a Watershed Planner.
* It is full-time (40 hours per week) with State Benefits *
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.
Description of Work:
The position is a contributing team member within the Watershed Planning Section of NC Division of Mitigation Services (DMS). Watershed Planners utilize knowledge of environmental and natural resource data to target areas for the implementation of stream, wetland, buffer and nutrient offset compensatory mitigation projects. The purpose of this position is to 1) provide support in the development of watershed plans ranging from moderate to very complex in assigned areas of the state and 2) perform GIS analysis on a local and statewide scale to support evaluation of DMS planning and project implementation efforts. This position is responsible for developing River Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRP), Local Watershed Plans (LWP) and Regional Watershed Plans (RWP), which includes managing projects and reviewing deliverables of contractors. The position is responsible for following all rules, procedures and guidelines in the development of watershed plans, including RBRPs, RWPs and LWPs and for producing the highest quality and most efficient plans possible within budget and reasonable time frame limitations. This position will also participate in and/or lead stakeholder outreach meetings where DMS and watershed planning information will be shared with resource professionals and partners as well as the general public.
This position will compile data from multiple sources and coordinate closely with all sections of the Division to document watershed condition and potential remaining opportunities within watersheds across the state as well as lead project teams in the development of strategies for future project implementation.
This position will also be expected to conduct geographic information system (GIS) analysis for watershed planning tasks which could include performing data analysis at a variety of scales, interpreting and presenting data related to water quality, hydrology and habitat as well as evaluating potential project implementation opportunities. This position participates in the development of watershed planning based scoring criteria, identifying targeted areas across the state, developing maps and any other necessary watershed planning guidance for Request for Proposals (RFPs) to ensure the projects implemented through the full delivery procurement process address watershed needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide support in the development of watershed plans ranging from moderate to very complex in assigned areas of the state.
- Develop River Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRP), Local Watershed Plans (LWP) and Regional Watershed Plans (RWP) in assigned watersheds. These plans maximize the links between watershed needs, identified through watershed planning, and the potential benefits of project implementation for compensatory mitigation.
- Participates in the development of watershed planning based scoring criteria, identifying targeted areas across the state, developing maps and any other necessary watershed planning guidance for Request for Proposals (RFPs) to ensure the projects implemented through the full delivery procurement process address watershed needs.
- Completes geographic information system (GIS) analysis tasks for the watershed planning unit, performs data analysis at a variety of scales, interprets and presents data related to water quality, hydrology and habitat as well as evaluates potential project implementation opportunities.
- Participates in and/or leads stakeholder outreach meetings where DMS and watershed planning information will be shared with resource professionals and partners as well as the general public.
Division of Mitigation Services:
The Division of Mitigation Services provides comprehensive mitigation for the State of North Carolina as required under the Clean Water Act. This NC DEQ program is responsible for providing compensatory mitigation for streams and wetlands that are unavoidably impacted by development and transportation projects. The program provides planning, implementation and disposition associated with restoration, enhancement, creation, and preservation for the 51 cataloging units (watersheds) in the State. The DMS manages the development of comprehensive mitigation projects worth $75 million annually. The products generated by this program facilitate approximately $1.2 billion in statewide infrastructure improvements annually. Click here to learn more about the Division of Mitigation Services (DMS)
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 may include eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.
This position is located at: Green Square Complex – 217 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
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 resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application. Click these links for additional information: Introduction to the Job Application andAddressing 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:
- Documented experience developing or interpreting environmental and/or natural resource data.
- Documented experience managing projects and/or project teams.
- Documented experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or other mapping or geographic software.
- Documented experience with landscape modeling and/or database management.
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 https://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 years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supplemental and Contact Information
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 Malik Ragler at (919) 707-8328 and/or malik.ragler@deq.nc.gov.
For technical issues with your application, please call the https://www.governmentjobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at (855) 524-5627.
Employer: State of North Carolina
Website: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest
