Environmental Program Consultant (Flexible/Hybrid)

The State of North Carolina is hiring an Environmental Program Consultant for a full-time position with a hybrid telework option. The role involves overseeing wastewater programs, conducting compliance evaluations, and providing technical assistance. Key responsibilities include managing NPDES programs, conducting inspections, and addressing non-compliance issues. The position supports the Division of Water Resources in protecting the state's water quality through various environmental stewardship activities.
Description of Work

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference?

DEQ has an open opportunity for an Environmental Program Consultant

It is full-time (40 hours per week) with State Benefits

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.

The Environmental Program Consultant acts as a Team Leader and Point of Contact with a focus on the implementation of the NPDES, toxicity, and pre-treatment programs in the Wilmington Regional Office and supports other WQROS programs to ensure goals and commitments are satisfied, including responding to citizen complaints, responding to emergencies during inclement weather, and providing consulting and technical assistance to permittees, operators, public, and staff.

Key Responsibilities:
• Oversee the wastewater collection and NPDES wastewater treatment facility programs.
• Conduct compliance evaluations of complex facilities: NPDES major, industrial, innovative, and facilities with a non-compliance record.
• Prepare notices of deficiency/violation, enforcement actions, present remission cases, injunction requests, SOCs, and compliance agreements.
• Conduct inspections of wastewater facilities within several programs regulated by the Wilmington Regional Office: NPDES and Non-Discharge major and minor facilities, General Permits, Pretreatment Programs, and sewer collection systems.
• Consult with permittees, operators, consultants, etc. to address NPDES facility’s non-compliance issues.
• Oversee the NPDES Pretreatment program, schedule and conduct pretreatment audits, pretreatment inspections, review annual reports and provide feedback to permittees and the Central Office.
• Oversee WiRO aquatic toxicity sampling program which includes scheduling facility visits, sampling events, and coordinating with the Acute Toxicity Unit (ATU) in the Central Office for testing needs.
• Oversee the shipping of samples to the Acute Toxicity Unit ATU, provide feedback to ATU for sampling failures and enforcement.

The Division of Water Resources:

The Division of Water Resources is responsible for protecting North Carolina’s drinking, surface and groundwater 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; Groundwater Resources, and Water Planning. Learn more by visiting Division of Water Resources.

The Water Quality Regional Operations section focuses on service to the regional surface water and groundwater concerns of citizens, local governments and business communities. Regional office staff issue permits for sewer extensions, wetland and stream impacts, and well construction. Regional offices personnel also conduct permitted facility inspections and incident investigations.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality:

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. Please visit our website at the Department of Environmental Quality for more information.

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 is located at: 127 Cardinal Drive, Wilmington NC 28403

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:
• Demonstrated knowledge with regulations, laws, policies and/or guidelines governing water quality programs.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting, and/or evaluating data, reports, or proposals pertaining to water quality.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating wastewater treatment facility operations.
• Demonstrated experience communicating technical information and/or recommendations in oral and/or written form.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

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 oshr.nc.gov/experience-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 years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.

DEQ uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to their applications.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an official transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• If applicants earned a foreign degree, foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency, and must be submitted to Human Resources for verification. There are several organizations that perform this specialized service, feel free to use any service of your choosing. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options on their website that can provide credential verification: https://www.naces.org/members

For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855-524-5627.

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.
For permanent and time-limited appointments:

Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.