Environmental Specialist II

State of North Carolina•Remote Wake, NC

3d•$52,592 - $64,379•Remote

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 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.

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 two years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license required.

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.
Provide 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.