Wetland Specialist #2202-254700-01

Storm Water Services' mission is to serve the City of Charlotte by improving surface waters and conveying rainwater safely through well-maintained storm drainage systems. Each year Storm Water Services invests $100+ million in capital improvements and staff manages hundreds of storm drainage improvement projects. Storm Water Services is one of the largest stormwater utilities in the Southeast with approximately 215,000 customer accounts and more than 200 full-time positions. 

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

Professional

This position is part of the 401/404 Permitting Group within the Storm Water Services Surface Water Quality and Environmental Permitting Program and is primarily responsible for supporting Charlotte Storm Water Services’ (CSWS) compliance with sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This position is responsible for providing permitting services and collaborating with CSWS’ engineering, construction and surface water quality staff to support CSWS projects. This includes large-scale neighborhood flood control projects, culvert maintenance and replacement, pipe system and outfall repairs, stream bank stabilization, and stormwater control retrofits. This position will also utilize contracts and coordinate 401/404 permitting services for other departments and project types including transportation and neighborhood improvement projects.

• Provide technical support, plan review, field assessments, stream and wetland delineations, and permitting services to ensure CSWS’ compliance with sections 401 and 404 of the CWA, including Individual Permits, Nationwide Permits and CSWS’ Regional General Permit.
• Ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
• Collaborate with project managers and engineers to avoid and minimize impacts to streams and wetlands during design.
• Attend construction meetings, conduct inspections and provide technical assistance and erosion control guidance to support 401/404 compliance during construction.
• Provide comprehensive project documentation. Maintain project tracking database, physical files, and other organizational documentation tools.
• Record, report, and benchmark all project schedules and permitting costs through the permitting process. Meet permit scheduling milestones and ensure permitting consultant budget compliance.
• Provide project teams with relevant 401/404 permitting, design, and environmental regulatory training as necessary.
• Manage consultants that provide comprehensive 401/404 permitting services to support Engineering Services projects including transportation and neighborhood projects.
• This position requires at least 50% field work, which includes carrying equipment of up to 50lbs, through dense vegetation, wet conditions, steep topography, with various fauna encounters, in all seasons.

• Knowledge of and experience with federal and state rules, laws, and policies that apply to the 401/404 permitting process.
• Experience in wetland delineations, stream and wetland classifications, habitat assessments, soil assessment, vegetation identification and management, culvert construction, and erosion control.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral including writing reports, email communications, development of training tools, and presentations to groups.
• Ability to communicate well with people that have a wide variety of education levels, job classes, technical knowledge, skills, and backgrounds.
• Effective computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and GIS.
• Outstanding project management skills that ensure high quality work, and efficient management of costs and schedules.
• Ability to perform duties at a consistently high level and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple, simultaneous tasks.
• Commitment to excellence, customer service, integrity, and public service.

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural, earth, soil or environmental sciences, biology, engineering, or related field.
• Three or more years of experience in an environmental field with related experience in 401/404 permitting, stream and wetland delineation.
• Experience in stream and wetland characterization, erosion control, culvert construction, and vegetation identification and management.
• Certifications in stream assessment and wetland delineation.
• Certification from the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT).

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural, earth or environmental sciences, biology, engineering, or related field or equivalent education, experience and skills to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Three years of experience in an environmental field with related experience in 401/404 permitting, and stream and wetland delineation.

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Please note that all job offers are contingent upon an applicant successfully passing a new hire background check, drug screening, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If an applicant does not pass the background screening or vaccination requirement, the offer will be rescinded.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

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The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

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