Environmental Program Consultant

Agency

Dept of Environmental Quality

Division

Office of Continuous Improvement

Job Classification Title

Environmental Program Consultant (NS)

Position Number

65040196

Grade

NC18

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.*

This position supports regulatory permitting and approval tasks necessary for implementation of certain OCI infrastructure projects across all Division wide programs. Primary duties may include, but not limited to: 401/Buffer Program tasks, such as evaluation and processing of 401 Water Quality Certification requests, stream determination requests, riparian buffer authorization requests; provide implementation and technical support for NPDES, Non-Discharge, and Sewer Collection System wastewater permitting programs, including review and processing of NPDES, Non-Discharge, and Fast Track Sewer Collection System project permit applications, evaluation of facility and site conditions (inspections), guiding applicants through NPDES permit application process, evaluation of completed projects for conformity to approved designs.

The subject position is located in the Fayetteville Regional Office, 225 Green St., Suite 714, Fayetteville, NC 28301-5095 but may provide programmatic coverage in adjacent regions as business needs dictate.

Other Key Responsibilities:
~ Assures applications are accurate and complete and meet all regulations, guidance, and policy.

~ Creates all necessary correspondence, including approval or disapproval letters, additional information letters, guidance and staff reports.

~ Coordinate and respond to inquiries concerning new, revised, or renewal of NPDES, Non-Discharge, and Sewer Collection System permit applications from developers, local officials, industrial contacts, consultants, and the public concerning Division procedures for permit processing, water quality standards, waste load allocation procedures, monitoring and operating requirements, matters of public concern and other related information.

~ Provides technical assistance and training of new or inexperienced employees or permittees.

~ Provide support to other DWR permitting programs as needed to aid in evaluation and approval of certain wastewater infrastructure projects.

~ Respond to complaints and reported discharges related to wastewater facilities and other environmental emergencies as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range:  $63,927 - $101,703

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

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.

Division of Water Resources

The Division of Water Resources is responsible for effective environmental stewardship for North Carolina. 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. The Water Quality Permitting Section is responsible for issuing 401 Water Quality Certifications and Riparian Buffer Authorizations; oversight of statewide compliance activities protecting surface waters, wetlands, and buffers; issuing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater permits and Authorizations to Construct; conducting and reviewing dilution models; coordination/oversight of statewide permitting of wastewater collection systems and compliance, animal feeding operations, statewide pretreatment programs; and issuing non-discharge, reclaimed water, wastewater sludge application permits, sewer line permits; and effective and reliable database administration.

The Water Quality Regional Office Staff are responsible for the delivery of North Carolina’s water quality objectives and wastewater management requirements as they relate to groundwater and surface water, and are primarily focused on following program areas: Non-Discharge and NPDES wastewater systems, including affiliated pretreatment programs and collection systems; 401 and buffer program implementation; animal feeding operations; underground injection control rules and well construction rules; overseeing groundwater incident clean-up; response to incidents such as spills, fish kills and sewer overflows; citizen reports or complaints; emergency response actions; ambient monitoring program activities and the provision of customer service and technical assistance to the general public, industry, an government agencies. Staff are responsible for permit actions, certifications, authorizations, determination of the compliance status of all permitted and regulated activities, the initiation of enforcement actions and legal orders, evaluation of groundwater and surface water problems and emergencies, and implementation of new programs. Permitted projects may be funded by specific grant or loan sources necessitating priority processing including OCI projects.

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.

Master's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

A valid driver’s license is required for this position.

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