TCEQ - Environmental Permit Specialist III-V

Job Title

Environmental Permit Specialist III-V

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

Join TCEQ’s Office of Water as part of the Water Quality Division. Contribute to ensuring clean and available water resources and protecting Texas water resources.

• Review and evaluate moderately‑complex Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) pretreatment programs and participate in related activities.
• Prepare, conduct, and document on‑site audits of routine to moderately complex approved pretreatment programs; draft audit reports.
• Assist in preparing, conducting, and documenting on‑site audits of politically sensitive pretreatment programs.
• Review and evaluate pretreatment program substantial and non‑substantial modifications for compliance with TPDES permit requirements; conduct numerical analyses of local limits and incorporate results into program modifications.
• Prepare pretreatment sections of routine to moderately complex TPDES permits.
• Evaluate pretreatment program annual reports; complete industrial waste surveys and Tex Tox reports; make categorical determinations for industrial users.
• Participate in the resolution of contested permit applications; attend alternative dispute resolution hearings, public meetings, and prepare expert testimony for public hearings before an Administrative Law Judge or the Commission.
• Provide basic training to new or less experienced staff.
• Respond to inquiries on assigned permits, audits, and modifications; prepare responses to comment documents.
• Communicate routine to moderately complex pretreatment information to authorities, industrial users, agency staff, and the public.
• Attend meetings and provide routine public presentations and speeches.

• Experience with pretreatment regulations or in an approved municipal pretreatment program.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical science, environmental science, or a related field.
• Minimum two years full‑time experience performing engineering, technical, or related work in environmental permitting or control activities.
• Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination can substitute for six months of required experience.
• Master’s degree can substitute for one year of experience; doctoral degree can substitute for two years of experience.

• Environmental Permit Specialist II → Specialist III (requires one year at TCEQ as Specialist II; additional degrees may substitute experience).
• Specialist III → Specialist IV (requires four years at TCEQ as Specialist II; additional degrees may substitute experience).
• Specialist IV → Specialist V (requires five years at TCEQ as Specialist II; additional degrees may substitute experience).

This position is also available as a lateral transfer opportunity for current TCEQ employees within the Engineering Specialist III classification.

• Official college transcript or evaluation of foreign credentials (if needed to meet the qualifications).

Standard business hours Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Up to 30% travel; full‑time in‑office at HQ Austin Office.

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Health, vision, dental insurance, and optional FSA.
• Paid days off on national holidays and state observances.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Longevity pay based on years of state service.
• Wellness program and activities; on‑site nurse practitioner.

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search and, if required, a driving history check. In compliance with ADA, accommodations are available during the employment process. Contact HRSS at (512) 239‑0102 for assistance.