Environmental Specialist I (Flexible/Hybrid)

At every level, DEQ employees are part of the efforts to rebuild infrastructure and restore the environment after Helene's impacts. Want to help? Join the DEQ team supporting Western North Carolina communities as they recover and prepare for future storms.  Your work will have a meaningful impact on the lives of North Carolinians.• This posting is for multiple vacanciespositions 60035226 & 60035402. * It is full-time (40 hours per week) with State Benefits.ÂThis position currently qualifies for a hybrid telework option with routine office and remote workdays. The 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 Environmental Specialist I position provides support, regulatory oversight, technical assistance, regulatory guidance and education to the public and permittees for various program areas. Other Key Responsibilities:• Perform compliance inspections and provide technical assistance and regulatory guidance for applicants• Communicate inspection results with permittees, owners, officials or workers and prepare inspection reports and related correspondence.• Review and process applications, including assisting with management plan review as necessary.• Respond to citizen complaints and inspect sites where standards and other rules have possibly been contravened.• Communicate regulatory guidance, technical assistance and education to permittees, applicants and the general public.• Issue Notices of Violation and assess civil penalties, when necessary, provide any additional guidance, support or documentation to restore compliance with regulations.Some emergencies may require a response to occur after hours and/or on weekends, on a limited basis.The Division of Water ResourcesThe 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 QualityThe 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.gov to learn more.Recruitment Range:  $44,588 - $55,176These positions are located at: 2090 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778The 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 and Addressing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.  (Note: These links refer to Dept. of Public Safety process; this process is the same for DEQ.)ÂTo 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/ or theories involved in the design, development, review, permitting, and/or operations of projects/sites and their potential environmental and/or safety impacts.• Ability to organize and/or direct moderately complex research or field studies.• Ability to communicate technical information and/or recommendations in verbal and/or written format.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. 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. ÂÂDEQ 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.ÂApplicants 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 ÂDue 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 Tamara Cherry at (919) 707-9202 and/or tamara.cherry@deq.nc.gov.ÂFor technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855-524-5627.NEOGOV