Environmental Program Consultant

State of North Carolina•Raleigh, NC

7d•$63,927 - $98,741•Hybrid

About The Position

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 reviews funding applications, engineering reports for a wide array of project types, engineering drawings and specifications, alternative analyses, asset inventory and assessments, and management of funded projects. This position will participate in training and outreach activities to promote the funding programs and long-term solutions for local government wastewater/stormwater infrastructure. This position manages construction for funded projects and serves as a liaison for the program to municipalities, consulting engineers, the public, interest groups, organizations, and the Division. The Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) enhances the performance of the DEQ by fostering compliance and efficiency across diverse projects. OCI leverages business processes, data analysis, compliance, and engineering expertise to drive improvement. Embedded within DEQ divisions, OCI works to develop and strengthen processes and workflows that support DEQ's mandate to deliver federal funding effectively and equitably for infrastructure, energy, and resilience projects. OCI is charged with helping DEQ teams solve challenges, provides data strategy, technical support, and policy expertise. The Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) administers water, wastewater, and stormwater funding programs in the Department of Environmental Quality according to Federal and State laws, including the Water Infrastructure Fund as described in NCGS 159G and the Community Development Block Grants for water and wastewater infrastructure. Water Infrastructure Fund programs include the federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the federal Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the state Viable Utility Reserve, the state Wastewater Reserve, and the state Drinking Water Reserve. DWI supports the State Water Infrastructure Authority which awards federal and state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. DWI assists eligible applicants in meeting drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater needs to protect public health and the state’s water resources. The Wastewater/Stormwater Engineering Unit oversees wastewater and stormwater projects funded by the Division (except for CDBG-I). Projects may include the full range of water infrastructure construction and planning projects, including distribution or collection systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and stormwater collection systems and/or control measures, that require a variety of technical disciplines to review. The Unit also supports other units within DWI and may assist with planning and study projects such as Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) studies and Merger Regionalization Feasibility (MRF) studies. The Unit oversees funded projects from application through design and construction, including disbursement of funds. Staff may review and prioritize applications for funding; review and approve project planning, development, and design documents; review and approve change orders, and inspect construction.

Requirements

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.

Responsibilities

Reviews funding applications, engineering reports for a wide array of project types, engineering drawings and specifications, alternative analyses, asset inventory and assessments, and management of funded projects.
Participates in training and outreach activities to promote the funding programs and long-term solutions for local government wastewater/stormwater infrastructure.
Manages construction for funded projects.
Serves as a liaison for the program to municipalities, consulting engineers, the public, interest groups, organizations, and the Division.
Reviews change orders for eligibility.
Performs regular inspection monitoring, checklists and reports to ensure projects are constructed per plans and specifications.
Prepares approval letters and comment letters for engineering reports, plans and specifications.
Establishes and maintains proficiency with the rules, regulations and standards of practice.
Completes reviews of study grant scopes of work.
Provides timely review of study grant reports and deliverables for compliance with Federal and State laws, rules, and policies, and good engineering practices.
Reviews and prioritizes applications for funding.
Reviews and approves project planning, development, and design documents.
Reviews and approves change orders.
Inspects construction.