Environmental Program Supervisor I

State of North Carolina•Asheville Regional Ofc Buncombe, NC

1d•$67,122 - $88,853•Hybrid

About The Position

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. This is an anticipate vacancy. This position is expected to be available on 09/01/2026. This Environmental Program Supervisor I position will oversee regionally based Environmental Senior Specialists who are the primary contacts for the NC DEQ Solid Waste Section and its programs across the state (and in the DEQ Regional Offices in Western North Carolina). This position is the first-line supervisor of primary representatives of the Solid Waste Section in the Western District of North Carolina and must ensure that the requirements of the Solid Waste Management Act of 1989, N. C. G. S. 130A-290, Article 9, and subsequent amendments are effectively implemented in order to protect the public health and environment. The issue of proper waste management is unique and multifaceted. Waste management options including waste reduction, recycling, reusing, recovering, and ultimate disposal in high tech facilities are acutely critical for North Carolina today. This position requires a great deal of autonomy as the supervisor of front-line regional staff who, on a daily basis and sometimes with infrequent contact with the agency’s Central Office, represents the Solid Waste Section to local government and industrial decision-makers. Position will require extensive travel within the Western Part of the State of North Carolina.

Requirements

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 three years of progressive experience in environmental work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid Driver's License required.

Responsibilities

Train other personnel and be responsive to the needs and requests associated with evaluating complex waste management processes.
Involves extensive contact with local government decision-makers (County Commissioners, County Managers, City Councils, City Managers, Regional Waste Management Authorities, Local Boards of Health, and Health Directors), consultants, attorneys, the media, other state and federal agencies and many industrial sectors in addressing the complex, diverse regulatory frameworks, and technical solid waste issues. Contact may be informal but often involves a formal presentation to a local board, council, citizens group or professional organization.
Primary point of contact from state to local government and a primary resource person to local government regarding state issues requiring application of diplomacy and critical judgment on a broad variety of issues on a routine basis.
Assists with planning and implementation of the Section’s response efforts to natural and other disasters in the management of generated debris in Western NC.
Works in conjunction with the Section’s training coordinator to determine and implement both internal and external training programs.
Coordinate and manage multiple activities including major remediation projects, closure evaluations and sensitive site investigations.