Environmental Specialist I

State of North Carolina • Blowing Rock, NC

6d • Remote

About The Position

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees. The position is responsible for carrying out policies and procedures set by the NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission, NCDA&CS, and the Division of Soil and Water Conservation to ensure effective and timely local delivery of state nonpoint source conservation and cost share programs through local conservation districts within 29 western counties. The position represents the Division on various regional and state committees and task forces; interacts with public officials, educators, environmental organizations, land trusts, and the private sector on both state and federal conservation issues; and seeks opportunities to secure technical, financial, and educational resources for local districts to promote conservation of natural resources on the state's private working lands. Regional activities include organization and implementation leadership for watershed-based conservation activities, environmental educational programs, and various special projects as assigned. The position plays an important role in information transfer by assisting local district officials and staff in planning and carrying out state conservation program activities and training; advising district boards in prioritizing and targeting nonpoint source water quality problems and water resource concerns within their respective boundaries and watersheds; coordinating and documenting training to appointed and elected district board members, and assisting district boards in the preparation of strategic plans, basin plans, yearly work plans, grant applications, community conservation projects, and programs. The position involves considerable regional and statewide travel with frequent evening meetings and occasional overnights. This position is home based. Must reside within one of the counties in the Primary Counties territory. Primary Counties (16): Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey. Secondary Counties (13): Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of environmental or natural resource conservation management, or the scientific principles related to water quality and nonpoint source pollution management.
• Excellent communication skills in both written and oral form.
• Experience working with groups and facilitating meetings.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Must possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain within 60 days of hire.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out policies and procedures set by the NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission, NCDA&CS, and the Division of Soil and Water Conservation
• Effective and timely local delivery of state nonpoint source conservation and cost share programs through local conservation districts within 29 western counties
• Represents the Division on various regional and state committees and task forces
• Interacts with public officials, educators, environmental organizations, land trusts, and the private sector on both state and federal conservation issues
• Seeks opportunities to secure technical, financial, and educational resources for local districts to promote conservation of natural resources on the state's private working lands
• Organization and implementation leadership for watershed-based conservation activities, environmental educational programs, and various special projects as assigned
• Assisting local district officials and staff in planning and carrying out state conservation program activities and training
• Advising district boards in prioritizing and targeting nonpoint source water quality problems and water resource concerns within their respective boundaries and watersheds
• Coordinating and documenting training to appointed and elected district board members
• Assisting district boards in the preparation of strategic plans, basin plans, yearly work plans, grant applications, community conservation projects, and programs

Benefits

• Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level