Agency

Dept of Environmental Quality

Division

Water Resources

Job Classification Title

Environmental Program Consultant (NS)

Position Number

60035358

Grade

NC18

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 Environmental Program Consultant (EPC) is responsible for writing and reviewing complex Major Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater permits for municipalities that manage pretreatment programs or discharge wastewater exceeding one million gallons per day. The EPC partners with engineers (who focus on treatment technologies and design) and Environmental Specialists (who focus on routine permits and internal processing coordination).

Site visits require the ability to navigate through rough and uneven terrain and work in unfavorable conditions, including exposure to heat/cold/inclement weather, noise, dust, fumes, machinery, and insects. May drive state vehicles; valid NC Driver’s License required. Occasional overnight travel required. EPCs in Municipal Permitting positions generally spend less than 5% of their time in the field. Position requires the ability to successfully manage multiple projects within time constraints and comprehend and interpret engineering and regulatory documentation.

Key Responsibilities

-- Develop and Issue Complex NPDES Wastewater Permits:
- Write and review complex wastewater discharge permits and make regulatory decisions based on interpretations, permit conditions, and internal procedures
- Serve as a consultant to regulated communities, balancing scientific analysis, regulations, risk management, and public participation
- Participate in technical reviews by engineering staff, providing permit development and regulatory expertise to collaborate on reviewing engineering alternative analyses, process flow diagrams, eDMR data, sludge management plans, and other relevant information in the development of an effective NPDES permitting program

-- Peer Review: Conduct detailed reviews of draft permits prepared by other permit writers for consistency, technical accuracy, compliance, and legally defensible content

-- Special Projects: Assist the Unit Supervisor with special assignments and strategic projects that modify the permitting program, such as analyzing regulatory changes or best practices, reviewing basinwide plans, developing innovative permitting practices for complex cases, conducting research on a variety of water quality protections, etc.

-- Public Meetings/Public Response: Attend public hearings on complex permit issues as a subject-matter expert; respond to questions from the regulated community and the general public; prepare public notice materials and public presentations; review and analyze written and oral comments received during the public comment period and public hearing comments on draft permits

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $63,927 - $85,862

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

Supplemental Information

The Division of Water Resources:

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for protecting North Carolina’s drinking, surface, and ground water for all waterbodies including lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and aquifers. This environmental stewardship is accomplished through actions including permitting issuance, investigations, regulatory compliance, and enforcement, monitoring and field assessments, certifications, laboratory analysis and testing, planning, water quality standards management, educational outreach, and other efforts. The Division comprises six sections: Water Quality Regional Operations, Water Sciences, Public Water Supply, Water Quality Permitting, Water Quality NPDES Permitting, and Water Planning. Click here to learn more about the Division of Water Resources.

NPDES Wastewater at the Division of Water Resources is responsible for the issuance of wastewater discharge permits. This process includes determining the quality and quantity of treated wastewater that the receiving stream can assimilate, incorporating input from stream modeling, collaborating with Regional Office staff, and evaluation of the discharger’s location. DWR's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program is managed by three units:

Industrial Permitting
Municipal Permitting
Compliance and Expedited Permitting

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

This position currently qualifies for a hybrid telework option with routine office and remote workdays. The NC Department of Environmental Quality trusts our employees to be self-motivated and successful in hybrid/remote roles. Telework options are subject to change at the discretion of management.

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.

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 (3) 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:

Deborah J Williams

Recruiter Email:

hrrecruitment@deq.nc.gov

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site