Environmental Specialist I

The State of North Carolina - Dept of Environmental Quality is hiring an Environmental Specialist I for a full-time home-based position. The role involves inspecting Underground Storage Tank (UST) facilities for compliance, responding to citizen reports, and providing community outreach. Candidates must reside within 25 miles of Mecklenburg County. The position offers state benefits and includes the provision of necessary office equipment and transportation.
Description of Work

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

DEQ has an open opportunity for an Environmental Specialist I.

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

This position is physically HOME-BASED and will be located in or within 25 miles of Mecklenburg County. The inspector will work from his/her home and a computer, office equipment, business telephone line, transportation, etc. will be provided.

The Environmental Specialist I position is in the Underground Storage Tank section of the Division of Waste Management. The position will inspect UST facilities for compliance with UST operating permit requirements. This position is home-based, and candidate must reside within 25 miles of Mecklenburg County. The Environmental Specialist will work from his/her home and a computer, office equipment, business telephone line, internet connection, transportation, etc. will be provided.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conducts routine compliance and installation inspections of UST facilities to ensure compliance with UST regulations. The inspector will follow up with appropriate enforcement action as needed.
• Other responsibilities include responding to citizen reports of abandoned USTs, and suspected releases (e.g., vapors in sewers/basements, contaminated water supply wells, failed leak detection tests) and ensure that appropriate action is taken.
• The inspector will also provide information about the UST rules and requirements to the regulated community and other interested parties.
• The inspector will gather and compile reports, based on inspection results, on the causes of leaks and the effectiveness of leak prevention and leak detection equipment and methods.
• The inspector will be required to make oral presentations to groups of UST owners/operators for community outreach and training.

The Division of Waste Management:

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 Qualityfor 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.

25-06653 DWM65005879

This position is home-based, and candidate must reside within 25 miles of Mecklenburg County.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL the following:
• Ability to apply the basic environmental concepts, practices, and/ or theories involved in the design, development, review, permitting, and/or operations of projects/sites and their potential environmental and/or safety impacts.
• Ability to organize and/or direct moderately complex research or field studies.
• Ability to communicate technical information and/or recommendations in verbal and/or written format.

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.

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; 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.