Administrative Specialist I (S)

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.

This Administrative Specialist I coordinates scheduling, receipt, log-in, tracking, and reporting for all samples arriving at the Division of Water Resources Water Sciences Section laboratory in Raleigh. Sample condition must be maintained through proper handling; sample integrity is especially important for samples expected to be used in enforcement actions to ensure usefulness as evidence. The specialist also supports approximately 50 scientists by providing properly cleaned glassware and ordering/maintaining/distributing inventories of supplies from multiple vendors. The work schedule is 7:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. This position is not eligible for teleworking. This position alternates between sedentary and active work throughout the day, and regularly requires moving, lifting, and emptying ice from sample coolers weighing up to 50 lbs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receive samples and conduct initial quality assurance audit: confirm proper sample identification, determine proper sample preservation and document any discrepancies, notify samplers of any issues and discuss next steps with the field collector, initiate Sample Condition Upon Receipt (SCUR) reports, maintain integrity of Chain of Custody (COC) samples expected to be used in enforcement actions, ensure proper triage and delivery of samples to the analytical units so that holding times for all samples are met
• Log all samples received into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and scan all field sheets into Laserfiche
• Support laboratory chemists by maintaining a supply of properly cleaned glassware requiring special cleaning protocols, including sterilization in some cases
• Support field staff by shipping requested sampling equipment and supplies including sample containers, preservatives, and reagents; maintain an inventory of sampling supplies and re-order as needed
• Check in all shipments of supplies, forward packing slips to the purchasing officer, and distribute supplies to the correct analytical units or the stockroom; maintain an inventory of stockroom supplies and re-order as needed
• Serve as liaison with customer agencies, sample collectors, and laboratory staff to schedule heavy sample loads and projects

Recruiting Range: $39,244 - $52,711

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.

The Water Sciences Section provides the Division of Water Resources with scientific and technical support required to monitor, regulate and manage water quality throughout North Carolina. The eight branches of the section, comprised of biologists, chemists, environmental specialists and technical support staff, evaluate the state's aquatic resources through a variety of specialized biological, chemical and physical techniques. These evaluations provide the basis for sound scientific decisions in the division's efforts to protect and enhance North Carolina's waters.

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

This position is in-office five (5) days per week and does not qualify for a hybrid telework option.

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two (2) years of related administrative experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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: Deborah J Williams

Recruiter Email: hrrecruitment@deq.nc.gov