Local recruitment: Environmental Specialist I

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Forsyth County, NC, USA 🇺🇸

Agency: Dept of Environmental Quality

Division: Water Resources

Job Classification Title: Environmental Specialist I (NS)

Position Number: 60035242

Grade: NC12

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 WorkThis position will provide support for the Region’s NPDES wastewater program. Perform compliance inspections of permitted facilities and review monthly monitoring reports for permit compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Perform on-site compliance inspections of waste disposal systems including industrial, municipal, and residential waste systems.

Review monitoring reports from permitted facilities to determine compliance with permit limits.
Perform regional activities required for processing and issuing permits.

Conduct complaint investigations involving permitted and non-permitted facilities and conducting on-site investigations involving reports of illegal discharges at facilities and preparing enforcement actions if warranted.

Conduct sampling of surface water and wastewater discharges.

Provide technical assistance to the general public, consultants and contractors in a professional manner.

Valid Driver’s License.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $45,926 – $51,257

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

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 issuing permits, 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 five Sections: Water Quality Regional Operations; Water Sciences; Public Water Supply; Water Quality Permitting and Water Planning. Learn more by visiting Division of Water Resources.

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.

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; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

*Graduating Senior students with applicable degrees listed above with an anticipated graduation date will be considered. Job offers will be contingent upon completion of their degree.

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.

Recruiter: Tamara Cherry

Recruiter Email: hrrecruitment@deq.nc.gov

0 days remaining

Apply by 16 December, 2025

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development