Senior Environmental Specialist – Transportation Planning Specialist 4

About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.
 
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a motivated individual who has a passion for environmental issues to join the Eastern Region Environmental Office located in Spokane, WA. The Senior Environmental Specialist is responsible to provide expertise in environmental laws, policies, and regulations to document, permit, and support state transportation project needs. In this position, you will ensure protection, preservation and enhancement of air, land, water resources for the preservation of the natural environment, as well as the protection of the social and health needs of the human environment. This role requires independent judgment and responsibility to select sound techniques and alternatives. The selected individual must have the ability to plan, coordinate, and lead activities with a strong customer-focus.

What to Expect
Work is performed mostly indoors in an office environment. However, field work is also included resulting in exposure to uneven terrain, roadside hazards, noise, and weather.
 
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Produce, review, and edit technical documents for submittal to environmental agencies to receive permits and approvals for projects. 
• Track project tasks, provide guidance and assistance to environmental staff and project office staff in areas to include Maintenance, Hazmat, Hydraulics for permitting, design and construction projects. 
• Complete necessary field work to review and analyze project permitting and finalize documentation needs for projects.
• Scope, write, review, and edit environmental documentation for NEPA and SEPA disciplines, participates in field reviews and field work, considers needed mitigation for projects, coordinates with permitting agencies. 
• Perform field work to include wetland, fish and wildlife analysis and documentation.
• Write and review various environmental documents, attends project meetings, oversees, or reviews consultant agreements and work product, develops mitigation strategies, tracks environmental commitments, enhancing communication methods.
• Respond to requests from Headquarters and other regions representing the region on environmental matters to the public, local jurisdictions, and other agencies. 
• Assist with Environmental Compliance Assurance Procedures, reports and documents for both maintenance and construction.
• Attend workshops and trainings for professional development.
• Provide assistance and training to the Department in areas of expertise.

 
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Minimum 2-year degree in Environmental or closely related field (biology, wetland and wildlife science, engineering, etc.) and
• Four (4) years direct work experience and focused training in environmental field, to include environmental regulatory processes and permits.
• In-depth knowledge of coordination needs for project delivery.
• Experience with environmental regulations and processes on a federal, state, and local level.
• Experience with environmental design, construction and maintenance practices associated with mitigation sites and roadway elements (ditches, culverts, bridges). 
• Experience with researching and reporting on environmental disciplines, regulations and policies.
• Experience with communicating professionally and working collaboratively with agency staff, co-workers, management, consultants, and public.
• Experience with writing clearly and concisely.
• Experience with investigation, documentation and response to complaints and requests for information.
• Organizational skills to maintain files for project work including processes, permits, mitigation, and maintenance for projects.
• Experienced and skilled with data input and use various computer programs.
• Ability to consistently and dependably be at work and allow for flexibility in work schedules.
• Ability to travel to job, meetings, and training locations.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• 4-year degree in Environmental Science or related field (Biology, Wildlife, Engineering, etc).
• Four (4) years working with federal, tribal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes. 
• Strong familiarity with NEPA, SEPA processes and preparation, FHWA or NHI Environmental Justice.
• Knowledge of FHWA Fundamentals and Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise.
• Knowledge of Design Build processes for highway projects.

 
Important Notes 

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. 
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.wa.gov.

 
Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. 

 
Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT? 

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications, and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. 

 
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in, or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
 
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter. 
 
WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.wa.gov.
 
Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Daisha Jordan, at Daisha.Jordan@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference 23DOT-ER-60905 in the subject line.

Salary : $74,376 - $100,008