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Senior Wetland Specialist 401/404 Permitting Group #2304-239610-01

Date Opened
Monday, April 03, 2023 8:00 AM
Close Date
Monday, April 17, 2023 8:00 PM
Section
Storm Water Services
Salary
  • $66,099 - $82,624 Commensurate with Experience
Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

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.  As the only local municipality in North Carolina with a Regional General Permit, this position will ensure compliance with this permit.

Overview

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.

Function

Professional

Summary

This position is part of the 401/404 Permitting Group within the Surface Water Quality and Environmental Permitting Team within the Regulatory Division of Charlotte Storm Water Services. 

This position is primarily responsible for providing permitting services and supporting Charlotte Storm Water Services’ (CSWS) compliance with sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). CSWS projects include large-scale neighborhood flood control projects, culvert maintenance and replacement, pipe system and outfall repairs, stream bank stabilization, and stormwater control retrofits. 

This position also manages on-call permitting consultants to occasionally provide 401/404 permitting services for other departments and project types including transportation and neighborhood improvement projects. This position also occasionally provides delineation services to support implementation of CSWS’ Post Construction Stormwater regulations.  This position will also assist with various permitting related projects such as the update and management of a project database, continuation of research related to relevant design parameters, and update and management of Standard Operating Procedures. 

This position serves as a technical lead and senior level staff person within the 401/404 Permitting Group and will work closely with the Permitting Group Supervisor. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide field assessments, jurisdictional delineations, plan review, and support from preliminary design through construction to ensure CSWS’ compliance with sections 401 and 404 of the CWA, including Individual Permits, Nationwide Permits and CSWS’ Regional General Permit. 
  • Review projects for Threatened and Endangered Species.
  • Collaborate with project managers and construction staff to avoid and minimize impacts to jurisdictional waters.
  • Provide project teams with 401/404 permitting, design, and environmental regulatory guidance and training as necessary.
  • Attend construction meetings, provide technical assistance, and conduct compliance inspections.
  • Maintain up-to-date project and performance related stats. Provide comprehensive 401/404 project compliance documentation.  
  • Manage on-call consultants to provide 401/404 permitting services for Engineering Services projects including transportation and neighborhood projects. Record, report, and benchmark schedules and costs of the permitting process for these projects.  
  • Provide leadership, technical guidance, and support for Wetland Specialists and the 401/404 Permitting Supervisor including the following tasks:  
    • Assign Environmental Impact Review (EIR) forms to Wetland Specialists  
    • Serve as a resource for questions and support needed by the Wetland Specialists and other staff
    • Support permitting for large, or technically complex projects
    • Support training of wetland specialists 
    • Lead education and outreach initiatives for the 401/404 Permitting Group 
    • Support projects for the 401/404 Permitting Group and the Surface Water Quality Team as needed
    • Update and manage Standard Operating Procedures and permit databases
  • 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, Skills & Abilities

  • 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, and vegetation identification and management.
  • Knowledge of local, native riparian vegetation and experience with design and installation of planting plans. 
  • Excellent communication skills. Highly skilled at writing reports, email communications, developing training tools, and developing and providing presentations.  
  • Ability to communicate well with people and develop collaborative solutions with them.
  • Outstanding project management skills that ensure high quality work, and efficient management of costs and schedules.
  • Superior attention to detail that allows for thorough tracking and documentation.
  • Demonstrated skills in innovation and adaptive management for problem solving.
  • Ability to perform duties at a high level with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize multiple, simultaneous tasks.
  • Commitment to excellence, customer service, integrity, and public service.
  • Team oriented problem solving serving as roles of listener, leader, and follower.
  • Effective computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, and GIS.
  • Possession of a valid driver’s license, good driving record and ability to receive and maintain a City Driving Permit.

Preferred Qualification

  • Five or more years of experience in an environmental field with related experience in 404/401 permitting, stream and wetland delineation. A relevant graduate degree may count towards one year of experience.
  • Experience in stream and wetland characterization, erosion control, and vegetation identification and management.  
  • Certifications in stream and wetland assessment and delineation.
  • Certification from the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT).

Minimum Qualifications

  • 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 404/401 permitting, and stream and wetland delineation.
  • Physical ability, experience, and skills to perform the essential functions of the position.


Salary

  • $66,099 – $82,624 Commensurate with Experience. 

Conditions of Employment

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.

How To Apply

Apply online.

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.

Benefits

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

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

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

In Conclusion

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