Environmental Specialist I (Flexible/Hybrid) Position Available In New Hanover, North Carolina

Environmental Specialist I (Flexible/Hybrid) State of North Carolina – Dept of Environmental Quality New Hanover County, NC • Hybrid work Description of Work Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference? DEQ has an open opportunity for an Environmental Specialist I. 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. This Environmental Specialist I provides public health expertise to non-community public water supply systems and their owners/operators and implements and enforces the requirements of the federal and state drinking water acts and related regulations. This position must handle with tact, consistency, and sound judgment, the diversity of public contacts demanded in consultative services and enforcement.

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 Sanitary surveys (inspections) of non-community public water systems On-site field investigations and evaluations of non-community public water systems Investigate and assist in resolving maximum contaminant level violations Maintain, coordinate, and upgrade regional database for non-community public water systems Provide technical and regulatory assistance to owners, operators, and customers of non-community public water systems in the region Prepare written correspondence/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, Water Quality NPDES Permitting, and Water Planning. Learn more by visiting Division of Water Resources . 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. The section has branches and programs for: 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; and administration of an operating fee permit program.

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.

This position is located at:

127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, NC 28403 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following: Ability to apply the basic environmental concepts, practices, and theories involved in the design, development, review, permitting, and/or operations of projects/sites and their potential environmental and safety impacts. Ability to analyze, manipulate and evaluate information/data, including the use of software. Ability to formulate or assist in the development of management alternatives and recommendations. Ability to organize and direct moderately complex research or field studies. Ability to prepare written/verbal reports; and ability to work with considerable independence. 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, 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 the degree. 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 . For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com applicant support help line at 855-524-5627 or email support@governmentjobs.com.

NOTE:

For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:

Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.