Environmental Specialist II

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Environmental Specialist II (NS)

Position Number

60034366

Grade

NC14

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

This Environmental Specialist II position serves as a Regional Soil Scientist within the Division of Public Health, providing technical oversight and regulatory support to local health departments across the southeastern region of North Carolina. The primary function is to ensure consistent and scientifically sound implementation of state laws and rules governing on-site wastewater treatment and dispersal systems. The role involves training, authorizing, and advising Environmental Health Specialists, conducting site evaluations, and reviewing complex wastewater system proposals. Work is performed independently and requires expert knowledge in soil science, environmental health regulations, and decentralized wastewater technologies. The position also contributes to policy development, legal proceedings, and statewide program improvements.

Key Duties Include:

-Train and assess Environmental Health Specialist interns through classroom instruction, field exercises, and written examinations to determine readiness for delegation of authority.

- Authorize local Environmental Health Specialists to enforce state laws and rules governing on-site wastewater systems in accordance with statutory requirements.

- Provide technical assistance and second opinions to local health departments on complex site evaluations, permitting challenges, and malfunctioning wastewater systems.

- Conduct site visits to evaluate soil and site conditions, recommend system modifications, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules.

- Review and verify private consultants’ soil and site evaluations and participate in consultative meetings with engineers, soil scientists, and local officials.

- Inspect manufactured wastewater system components to ensure compliance with approved design specifications and quality standards.

- Develop and deliver educational programs and technical training for environmental health professionals at regional and state levels.

- Serve as an expert witness in administrative appeals and legal proceedings involving violations or disputes related to wastewater system regulations.

- Participate in structured evaluations of local programs to assess effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and recommend corrective actions.

- Contribute to the development and revision of internal procedures, policies, and public health rules by serving on task forces and rule-making committees.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $52,592.00 - $92,036.00

Recruitment Range: $52,592.00 - $69,628.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.  

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred:

• Documented experience conducting detailed soil and site evaluations for on-site wastewater systems, using field observations and technical data to determine system feasibility and design compliance with state regulations.

• Proven experience providing regulatory interpretation and technical consultation to local health department staff, resulting in consistent application of wastewater rules and resolution of complex permitting issues.

• Hands-on experience reviewing engineered wastewater system proposals and verifying consultant-submitted site evaluations through field inspections and rule-based analysis.

• Demonstrated experience delivering structured training and field instruction to Environmental Health Specialist interns, including performance assessments used to determine readiness for delegation of enforcement authority.

• Experience investigating malfunctioning wastewater systems by analyzing site conditions, installation records, and system performance data to identify causes and recommend corrective actions in accordance with public health standards.

Repost - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply In Order To Be Considered For This Vacancy.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Eligible To Be Fully Remote.

Remote work is to be performed in the Southeastern portion of the state. 

Physical Requirement:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

• Work requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing; viewing a computer monitor; extensive reading; visual inspections involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

• Walk long distances through rough terrain during all types of weather and may be exposed to insects, snakes, chemicals, fumes, and machinery.

About the NC Division of Public Health:

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About Environmental Health:

The mission of the Environmental Health Section of the Division of Public Health is to safeguard life, promote human health and protect the environment through the practice of modern environmental health science, the use of technology, rules, public education and above all, dedication to public trust.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process:

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification:

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

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 Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

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.

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.

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:

Dejah Victoria Seksay

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov