Environmental Program Consultant

Agency Dept of Environmental Quality Division Water Resources Job Classification Title Environmental Program Consultant (NS) Position Number 60035244 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 is a repost of position 60035244. Previous applicants must reapply to be considered. * This Environmental Program Consultant (EPC) serves as the technical lead responsible for coordination and implementation of the Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP). The AWOP was developed to help water systems achieve higher levels of water quality and decrease the risk of a waterborne disease outbreak. The EPC should have knowledge of state and federal guidelines governing the permitting, design, operation, and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems; water treatment principles (e.g., particle stabilization, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection); and principles and practices of civil engineering and water chemistry as applied to the design and operation of water treatment and distribution systems. This position also serves as the Public Water Supply (PWS) Section training coordinator by identifying training needs and either providing the training or arranging appropriate training by outside sources. Training events will be held both in-person and virtually. This EPC travels frequently to attend meetings, provide training, and engage with water systems, DEQ regional staff, AWOP team members, etc. Valid Driver's License required for driving state vehicles. Occasional overnight travel required. This position requires the ability to comprehend and properly interpret regulatory documents, perform detailed review and analysis of data sets, identify relationships and trends conducive to system evaluation and improvement, and effectively communicate regulatory and technical information to a range of audiences (little to no subject matter knowledge to subject matter experts). 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. Key Responsibilities: As the technical lead responsible for coordination and implementation of the Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP): -- Develop and analyze water system performance data to identify opportunities for technical assistance that will improve water system treatment performance and/or water quality -- Coordinate of AWOP Team activities to include meetings, determination of water system optimization status, generating reports, etc. -- Provide expertise in the development of guidelines and procedures relating to AWOP related technical assistance; organize and participate in AWOP technical assistance activities -- Provide operational process assistance and training to public water system personnel for achievement of AWOP goals and elevated public health protection -- Attend national and EPA Region 4 AWOP planning meetings -- Other related tasks as AWOP program evolves As PWS Section training coordinator: -- Lead and assist with the development, organization, and implementation of a training program to promote consistency for program initiatives, sanitary surveys procedures, data entry, enforcement activities, and regulatory changes/updates -- Develop, maintain, and coordinate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidance documents, training materials, and training events -- Instruct in schools developed by the Water Operators Association for certification of water treatment facility operators. Other: -- Assist with representing the Section on the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) for natural and man-made disaster -- Assist with Section initiatives to promote resilience in the regulated community from both natural and man-made hazards -- Miscellaneous special projects as assigned by Section management Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Recruitment Range: $63,927.00 - $88,855.00 Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above. Job posting details will no longer be available after the position closes. This position is open to applicants across the state, and will be based at 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 OR any one of these DEQ Regional Offices: Asheville, Fayetteville, Mooresville, Raleigh, Washington, Wilmington, or Winston-Salem. Supplemental Information The Division of Water Resources: The Division of Water Resources (DWR) 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, Water Quality NPDES Permitting, and Water Planning. Click here to learn more about the Division of Water Resources. DWR's Public Water Supply (PWS) Section promotes public health by ensuring that safe, potable water is available in adequate quantities to the residents and visitors of North Carolina served by PWS systems by assuring that such systems are properly located, constructed, operated, and maintained. PWS systems provide piped drinking water to at least 15 connections or 25 or more people 60 or more days per year. The section has branches and programs for: implementation of the mandates of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act; review and approval of plans and specifications for new and expanding or improving PWS systems; inspections, investigations, and technical assistance; emergency responses and complaint investigations; source water assessment, protection, and wellhead protection; capacity development; and administration of an operating fee permit program. If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit 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: View email address on click.appcast.io North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today! State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. If you are already a state employee, please search for jobs by clicking here.