The Georgia Environmental Protection Division engages in continuous recruitment for Environmental Compliance Specialists.

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) protects and restores Georgia’s environment. We take the lead in ensuring clean air, land and water. With our partners, we pursue a sustainable environment that provides a foundation for a vibrant economy and healthy communities.  EPD is responsive, effective and efficient. Associates are valued and empowered to use their expertise and creativity as leaders in protecting Georgia’s environment.  EPD’s Air, Land and Watershed Protection Branches, in concert with its seven District Offices, serve the public by implementing state laws, rules, and policies to protect human health and the environment; apply and enforce environmental laws and standards in a consistent, fair, and timely manner; and are proactive, results-oriented, and help develop new approaches to meet Georgia’s environmental challenges.

District Offices (Statewide)

The District Offices are responsible for conducting inspections, compliance and enforcement actions, and in certain capacities for permitting of assigned facilities.  District offices are also responsible for investigating complaints involving land protection, water supply, air quality, water quality and erosion and sedimentation.  The District Offices oversee compliance for facilities such as landfills, waste water treatment facilities, public water systems, construction sites and other industrial activities. The work performed in the District Offices is very dynamic and often involves coordination with one or more of the three branches of EPD.  There are seven District Offices located throughout the State of Georgia, with each District covering many counties. All listed counties and their respective district assignments can be found below.

Emergency Response Team (Statewide)

The Emergency Response Team (ERT) is responsible for maintaining emergency response capabilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to respond and triage environmental incidents statewide. ERT maintains an EPD Duty Officer who receives, assesses, and determines an appropriate EPD response to a wide ranging variety of incidents related to human health and the environment reported from across the state. ERT also maintains a State On-Scene Coordinator who will respond to these incidents and represent the EPD in coordinating the response activities of entities involved including local, state, and federal agencies, along with private industries and contractors. During declared emergencies and activations ERT maintains staff in the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), State Operations Center under Georgia’s Emergency Support Function ESF-10, Hazardous Materials.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under supervision, evaluates programs for compliance with environmental laws, rules, and regulations and recommends monitoring and corrective action / enforcement actions.  Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:  collect samples in accordance with established procedures; investigate complaints; provide environmental education and technical assistance; perform inspections, interviews, technical reviews and make recommendations for enforcement actions as needed; conduct facility audits and inspections; review permit applications against permit requirements and regulations; and draft correspondence and/or permits in accordance with rules, regulations and established procedures.  Field work and occasional overnight travel may be required.

Based on education and experience, the selectee will be hired into one of the below mentioned job codes.  Salary is commensurate with education and experience in compliance with State Personnel Board Rules.

Minimum Qualifications

RCP020 – Environmental Compliance Specialist 1

Entry Salary $41,600

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology or other natural or physical science or engineering field from an accredited college or university.

RCP021 – Environmental Compliance Specialist 2

Entry Salary $45,760

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology or other natural or physical science or engineering field from an accredited college or university

AND

Two years of professional experience in environmental protection.

OR

One year of experience at a level equivalent to an Environmental Compliance Specialist 1 (RCP020) or position equivalent.

RCP022 – Environmental Compliance Specialist 3

Entry Salary $50,336

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology or other natural or physical science or engineering field from an accredited college or university

AND

Three years of professional experience in environmental protection.

OR

One year of experience at a level equivalent to an Environmental Compliance Specialist 2 (RCP021) or position equivalent.

By applying to this requisition, you are applying to a pool and you will be considered for all vacancies within the stated job series and branch.  Candidates who meet minimum entry qualifications will be contacted further with specific job information. 

This posting may close at any time prior to the posted close date, once a suitable applicant pool is identified.  Because of the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring unit for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

NOTE: If the minimum qualifications for a job require a college education and you have obtained a degree from a college or university outside the USA, you are required to submit an International Education Evaluation Letter showing your degree is equivalent to one obtained at a college or university in the USA. International Educational Evaluations are accepted from the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org/members) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (https://aice-eval.org/evaluation-guides/).  

The Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division is an Equal Opportunity Employer.