Director - Office of Continuous Improvement

Agency

Dept of Environmental Quality

Division

Office of Continuous Improvement

Job Classification Title

Program Director II (NS)

Position Number

65037728

Grade

NC23

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 Work

This position is Exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA) with the exception of Articles 6 and 7. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with applicable State Benefits.*

The Director provides strategic leadership and management of the Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI). This includes participation in the development, communication, and implementation of strategic plans and representing the Office at meetings and events.

The position will develop and execute engineering and environmental procedures and technical programs. The position organizes the work and sets the goals and objectives for engineering and environmental processes.

The position will direct operational programs utilizing business standards and practices to include program design and development, implementation, disbursement, monitoring and compliance, and close-out requirements.

The position will direct the grants operations program providing leadership and guidance to staff ensuring best practices and compliance with grants across DEQ and specifically with grants related to Helene recovery response.

The Director:

--Provides direction to the OCI Operations and Engineering/Environmental Sections and other subordinate staff to ensure accomplishment of the DEQ strategic plan and Division goals, including fulfillment of federal grant commitments and state mandated program requirements.

-- Addresses priority issues of the Secretary’s Office, legislative members, federal agencies, and/or the public.

-- Ensures programmatic, budget, and staffing issues are properly managed, adjusting organizational structure as needed to ensure the Office maintains effectiveness and financial stability.

-- Ensures general management of day-to-day activities and during emergencies, working with Department staff when problems occur, complaints are filed or opportunities present themselves.

-- Develops the Office’s strategic plan, establish the Office’s goals and priorities, and ensure progress toward longer term programmatic or management goals. Provide policy and program implementation recommendations to DEQ Secretary’s Office.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $81,620 - $139,296

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

Manager Preferences: 

• Experience managing an engineering and/or environmental program.
• Experience managing an operations program including budgeting, disbursement, and compliance.
• Experience managing a grants program.

The Office of Continuous Improvement:

The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) partners with programs across the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) by combining expertise in business process improvement, data strategy, compliance, grants management, and engineering.   OCI helps strengthen the systems and processes that support the Department's mission.

Working collaboratively with DEQ divisions, OCI develops and enhances workflows that enable the effective and efficient administration of grant funding for infrastructure, resilience, and disaster recovery initiatives. The office is also charged with working with divisions on data strategy, grant contract management, and grant disbursements.

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 from an appropriately accredited institution and five (5) years of program experience in the area of assignment, including three years of managerial experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing and directing of operations in the areas of the assigned program(s); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position requires a valid driver’s license.

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:

Jean Buchanan

Recruiter Email:

hrrecruitment@deq.nc.gov