Environmental Specialist II

Agency

Dept of Environmental Quality

Division

Waste Management

Job Classification Title

Environmental Specialist II (NS)

Position Number

65005880

Grade

NC14

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 is a home-based position and can be performed at any location in the state of North Carolina.

This position will often involve more than 50 percent field work and travel across the state for inspections, meetings, and presentations, as required. Responsibilities include conducting field inspections, providing training support, and verifying enforcement findings at facilities. The position will also require attendance at rulemaking meetings and hearings. Additionally, travel will be necessary to support the administrative and programmatic functions of the program and to assist the Branch Head. During periods of high workload or increased programmatic needs, the proportion of field work may increase further.

This position primarily supports the UST Engineers Group by processing and reviewing UST‑6A/6B and UST‑20 piping only and emergency piping installation applications, tracking installation review activities, and managing permit‑hold communications. It also supports the UST Inspections Program through inspector training and statewide inspection coverage and manages the UST Operator Training Program, including the online Tank School, class delivery, system maintenance, and related enforcement actions.

Additional duties include assisting with rules review and rulemaking, developing policies and guidance, conducting technical research, and providing administrative and programmatic support to the Permits and Inspections Branch Head and other PIB programs, with supervisory responsibilities as needed. Additionally, this position supports the enforcement program by reviewing referrals and managing data entry, tracking penalty payments, coordinating hearings and documentation, preparing permit denial materials, and assisting with training and procedure updates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct cursory reviews and database entry for tank system installation applications; track and manage installation projects and permit holds; communicate with stakeholders; supervise the work of other staff members; and review and approve emergency piping, piping‑only, and compatibility installation applications.

• Manage all aspects of the UST Operator Training Program, including classroom and online training, course development, system updates, stakeholder coordination, and compliance tracking, while also providing technical assistance, supporting inspections, training inspectors, responding to information requests, reviewing non‑compliance for enforcement, and preparing educational presentations.

• This position provides administrative and training support to the enforcement program, including reviewing and entering enforcement referrals, tracking penalty payments, prioritizing cases, coordinating committee hearings, drafting documents and letters, preparing quarterly permit denial reports, and assisting with training and procedure updates.

• Assist with rulemaking by coordinating public hearings, preparing rule making commission materials and rule text, engaging stakeholders, developing fiscal notes, and responding to comments, while also updating guidance, procedures, forms, and web content and conducting technical research to support policy and rule development.

• Provide administrative and programmatic support to the UST Permits and Inspections Branch Head, including scheduling and coordinating meetings, attending and documenting meetings as needed, and performing other assigned support duties.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $52,592 - $64,379

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

Valid driver’s license required.

The Division of Waste Management is responsible for protecting the public health and environment through assuring that solid and hazardous waste and underground storage tanks are managed properly, and existing contamination is cleaned up across the State of North Carolina. This is accomplished through the Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Superfund and Underground Storage Tank Sections, and the Brownfields Redevelopment Section. Click here to learn more about the Division of Waste Management | NC DEQ.

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit https://studentaid.gov/ to learn more. 

This position currently qualifies as a home-based position.

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 and two years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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:

Valerie Moses

Recruiter Email:

hrrecruitment@deq.nc.gov?subject=DEQ%20Recruitment