Engineer I

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Division

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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 position is expected to be available on November 1, 2026. **

This Engineer I position serves as a Rule Manager and helps ensure that all public water supply (PWS) systems statewide are in compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the NC Drinking Water Act, and other related rules and regulations. Each Rule Manager serves on one of several teams in the PWS Section Compliance Services Branch. Assigned contaminant groups and/or rules may include Inorganic Chemicals (including arsenic and asbestos), Synthetic Organic Chemicals/Pesticides and PCBs, Radionuclides, Turbidity, Volatile Organic Chemicals, Nitrate/Nitrite, Lead and Copper, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Filter Backwash Recycling Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Ground Water Rule, Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, PFAS Rule, and EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. This position serves as the Rule Manager for the Lead and Copper Rule.

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 Driver’s License required. Occasional overnight travel required. Position requires the ability to successfully manage multiple projects within time constraints and comprehend and interpret engineering and regulatory documentation. Professional Engineer licensure/Engineer Intern certification is not required but is considered an asset.

Key Responsibilities

-- Rule Management: Read, review, and understand regulations and policies; provide regulatory guidance, citations, and policies to system owners/operators; enforce testing requirements; track and evaluate systems’ compliance; assist in the preparation of enforcement documents and issue notices of violation and other written notifications

-- Regulatory/Engineering Consultation and Outreach: Provide accurate, up-to-date advice, recommendations, and assistance to water system owners, managers, operators, laboratory representatives, consulting engineers, and PW Section staff; develop and provide training to internal and external entities

-- System-Specific Technical Assistance: provide engineering expertise in resolving contamination and treatment technique problems, work collaboratively to develop strategies for reducing violations and penalties, perform Compliance Assistance Team visits

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $57,983 - $80,215

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.

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 https://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.

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

*Engineering students with an anticipated graduation date will be considered. Job offers will be contingent upon completion of their degree.

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:

Recruiter Email:

[email protected]