Environmental Specialist II

State of North Carolina•Buncombe County, NC

5d•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 provides permitting support, regulatory oversight, technical assistance, regulatory guidance and education to the public and permittees for various program areas, including 401 Water Quality Certifications, State buffer rules, water quality standards and water resource protection. Acts as alternate team lead or lead support for the Asheville Regional Office (ARO) 401/wetland team coordinating inspections, reviewing enforcements, facilitating team meetings, ensuring team members are training, mentoring new staff and providing guidance on more complex permitting decisions.

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.
A valid driver's license is required.

Nice To Haves

Acts as alternate team lead or lead support for the Asheville Regional Office (ARO) 401/wetland team coordinating inspections, reviewing enforcements, facilitating team meetings, ensuring team members are training, mentoring new staff and providing guidance on more complex permitting decisions.

Responsibilities

Perform outreach to regulated community and government partners as resources allow to promote education of applicable regulations with the goal of preventing non-compliant activities.
Perform compliance inspections and provide technical assistance and regulatory guidance for applicants requesting 401 Water Quality Certifications (WQC) and buffer authorizations.
Communicate inspection results with permittees, owners, officials or workers and prepare inspection reports and related correspondence.
Review and process WQC applications, including assisting with stormwater management plan (when required by a 401) review as necessary.
Respond to citizen complaints and inspect sites where water quality standards and other rules have possibly been contravened.
Communicate regulatory guidance, technical assistance and water quality education to permittees, applicants and the general public.
Issue Notices of Violation and assess civil penalties when necessary, provide any additional guidance, support or documentation to restore compliance with regulations.
Assist central office staff with complex Individual Permit (IP) reviews.