Mitigation Project Specialist

This position will serve as a stream wetland and riparian buffer mitigation project specialist and be responsible for auditing compensatory mitigation projects. Audits will entail a thorough desktop review of all project data and documents as well as infield project assessments.

• Completes timely and detailed review of stream wetland and riparian buffer mitigation site data documents and reports to ensure project deliverables are complete and accurate.
• Conducts comprehensive infield review of mitigation sites.
• Responsible for synthesizing project information and data to ensure project performance standards are addressed and that projects comply with all applicable Federal and State laws rules binding guidance documents and policies.
• Responsible for compiling data and drafting reports to document audit findings.
• Responsible for managing an Esri Enterprise Geodatabase housing mitigation project spatial data and an SQL database housing mitigation project technical data. Management tasks include uploading data into the databases and coordinating with the database administrator(s) to ensure database is maintained and functional.

The N.C. Division of Mitigation Services mission is to provide costeffective mitigation alternatives that improve the states water resources. This NCDEQ division is responsible for providing compensatory mitigation statewide for streams and wetlands that are impacted by development and transportation projects as well as for riparian buffers and nutrient loading in some areas of the state. The program must provide all planning implementation and disposition associated with mitigation project sites located in the 54 cataloging units (in 17 river basins) in the state. The DMS manages the development of comprehensive mitigation projects worth $4080 million annually. The products produced by this program facilitate approximately $2 to 3 billion in statewide infrastructure improvements annually. Failure to provide successful mitigation can impact water quality habitat and other important watershed functions. The DMS influences North Carolinas economic growth environmental protection and quality of life.

Division services are closely coordinated with a number of regulatory agencies and stakeholders including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the Department of the Interior U.S. Forest Service Department of Agriculture North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Divisions of Coastal Management Water Resources and Marine Fisheries nongovernmental and land trust organizations and other mitigation providers. Staff must possess extensive knowledge of the Clean Water Act biology engineering mitigation ecosystems process management database and information management measurement and analysis and public relations.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality:

The primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide sciencebased 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 Carolinas 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 publics health and works to advance in alloftheabove energy strategy that fits North Carolinas 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 states school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life. Please visit our website at theDepartment of Environmental Quality for more information.