Local recruitment: Engineer II

• Salary: $61,545.00 – $98,741.00 Annually
• Location: Wake County, NC
• Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
• Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
• Job Number: 25-06762 OCI65040351
• Department: Dept of Environmental Quality
• Division: Office of Continuous Improvement
• Opening Date: 05/22/2025
• Closing Date: 5/30/2025 5:00 PM Eastern
• Job Class Title: Engineer II
• Position Number: 65040351
• Section: Engineering
• Salary Grade: NC18

Description of Work

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference?

DEQ has an open opportunity for an Engineer II.

This position is Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA) except for Articles 6 and 7. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with applicable 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.
The primary purpose of the position is to support regulatory permitting via review and approval tasks necessary for implementation of certain infrastructure projects across all Division wide programs with a priority on those funded by American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA), S.L. 2023-134 and other assigned infrastructure projects. This position will be responsible for providing advanced engineering support necessary for the evaluation and review of applications for and drafting of Authorizations to Construct, NPDES permits, Collection Systems permits and all other related Municipal Unit program submittals. This position evaluates documentation for compliance with federal/state rules and regulations, fundamental engineering principles, agency policy and approved minimum design criteria. This position prepares approval documents and provides effective and timely technical assistance to a range of agency customers. The position may train and mentor other engineering staff.

Other Key Responsibilities:

• Review engineering designs, reports, plans and specifications, calculations, applications and other supporting informationforadherencetoapplicablestate/federalregulation,Divisionpolicy,approvedminimumdesigncriteria and engineering principles. This position will primarily address municipal NPDES permits and collection system permitsprioritizingthoseinfrastructureprojectsmanagedbytheOfficeofContinuousImprovement(OCI)
• Prepare Authorizations-to-Constructs, alternative sewer permits, system-wide collection system permits, moderatelycomplexNPDESpermits,wastewatertreatmentplantmodifications,andotherregulatorydocumentsforapproval.
• Provide technical peer review support for unit.
• Provide effective and timely technical assistance based on thorough knowledge of applicable wastewater regulations.
• Provide technical assistance and oversight in support of departmental and division goals for implementing OCI projectsandrelatedOCItaskelementsbymonitoringNPDESpermittingprojectstoensureprogressinatimely manner.

Office of Continuous Improvement:
The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) enhances the performance of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality by fostering compliance and efficiency across diverse projects. As a fluid team of multidisciplinary, collaborative problem-solvers OCI leverages business processes, data analysis, compliance, and engineering expertise to drive improvement. 

Embedded within DEQ Divisions, OCI is a hub of expertise, developing and strengthening processes and workflows that support DEQ’s mandate to deliver federal funding effectively and equitably for infrastructure, energy, and resilience projects. OCI is charged with helping DEQ teams solve challenges, break down cross-organizational silos, provide data strategy, technical support, and policy expertise. OCI’s goal is to deliver impactful results while upholding regulatory standards, ultimately contributing to more efficient and effective environmental stewardship for North Carolina.

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; Groundwater Resources, and Water Planning. Learn more by visiting Division of Water Resources.

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. 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. 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.govto learn more.

This position is located at: 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27604.

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. 

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Demonstrated experience in reviewing and/or designing engineering plans for evaluation and/or compliance as they pertain to wastewater and/or collection system permitting.
• Demonstrated experience communicating information to consulting engineers, municipal/local officials, or the public using written and/or oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating wastewater and/or collection system design for functionality, effectiveness, and/or compliance with engineering principles, rules, or regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of laws, regulations, and/or policies related to wastewater and/or collection system permitting.
• Valid driver’s license.

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 an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience; 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 jean.buchanan@deq.nc.gov.

For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855-524-5627.  

Employer: State of North Carolina

Website: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest