Environmental Permitting and Approvals Specialist (In-Training)

Description

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! 

The Washington State Ferry (WSF) system is essential to Washington's transportation network, linking communities on both sides of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. There are over nearly 400 sailings each day on nine ferry routes.  WSF transports nearly 19 million passengers a year and has more than 1,800 employees. Employees perform a variety of duties on vessels, in terminals, at the maintenance facility, and at the Seattle headquarters. 

The Opportunity

WSDOT is hiring an Environmental Permitting and Approvals Specialist to support the design, construction, and maintenance of WSF projects. This role will focus on minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as WSDOT and WSF policies and industry best practices. As a key member of the project delivery team, this position will serve as the lead and primary point of contact for environmental and permitting efforts within design project teams.

Transportation Planning Specialist 3 - $72,865 - $98,015 (Salary includes the legislative-approved 5% salary premium for positions with an assigned duty station in King County)

Transportation Planning Specialist 4 - $80,438 - $108,158 (Salary includes the legislative-approved 5% salary premium for positions with an assigned duty station in King County)

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Environmental Permitting and Approvals Specialist will:

• Define and summarize critical environmental issues, create project delivery strategies, and develop plans.
• Complete environmental permitting and approvals review of projects. 
• Prepare permit applications, technical documents, and correspondence. 
• Develop solutions to difficult environmental problems that may arise during project design, construction, and ongoing maintenance. 
• Manage environmental permitting and approvals documentation. 
• Develop and manage consultant work assignments and WSF staff support, as appropriate.
• Develop and implement departmental environmental guidance, policies and procedures, statewide agency guidance, policies, and procedures, and interagency agreements. 

Qualifications

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

This is a Transportation Specialist 4 (TSP 4) position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at the lower level (TPS 3) depending on qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “In-Training” plan.

Required Education and Experience for TPS 3 for In-Training:

• Three (3) years of environmental documentation and permitting work experience to support transportation or other infrastructure projects.
• One (1) year of work experience leading or managing environmental documentation and permitting and compliance deliverables.
• One (1) year of communicating environmental documentation and permitting, or compliance information to diverse range of customers.

OR

• Masters degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience.

OR

• Associate’s degree in biology, natural, or environmental sciences, environmental planning, or a closely related environmental discipline with preference for biology or marine biology.

AND

• Four (4) years of environmental permitting work experience to support transportation or other infrastructure projects.
• Two (2) years of work experience leading or managing environmental permitting deliverables.
• Two (2) years of communicating environmental permitting or compliance information to a diverse range of customers.

OR

• High school diploma equivalent

AND

• Five (5) years of environmental documentation and permitting work experience to support transportation or other infrastructure projects.
• Four (4) years of work experience leading or managing environmental documentation and permitting deliverables.
• Four (4) years of communicating environmental documentation and permitting or compliance information to a diverse range of customers.

OR

• Two (2) years as a transportation Planning Specialist 2, Transportation Engineer 2, or equivalent classification in city or county agencies.

Required Education and Experience for TPS 4:

• Undergraduate degree in biology, natural, or environmental sciences, environmental planning, or a closely related environmental discipline with a preference for biology or marine biology.

AND:

• Minimum of four (4) years of environmental documentation and permitting work experience to support transportation or other infrastructure projects.
• Minimum of two (2) years of work experience leading or managing environmental documentation and permitting compliance deliverables. 
• Minimum of two (2) years communicating environmental documentation and permitting, or compliance information to a diverse range of customers.

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.  

OR

• Associate’s degree in biology, natural, or environmental sciences, environmental planning, or a closely related environmental discipline with a preference for biology or marine biology.

And

• Minimum of five (5) years of environmental permitting work experience to support transportation or other infrastructure projects.
• Minimum of three (3) years of work experience leading or managing environmental permitting deliverables.
• Minimum of three (3) years of communication environmental permitting or compliance information to a diverse range of customers. 

OR

• High School diploma or equivalent.

And

• Minimum of seven (7) years of environmental documentation and permitting work experience to support transportation or other infrastructure projects.
• Minimum of five (5) years of work experience leading or managing environmental documentation and permitting deliverables.
• Minimum of five (5) years communicating environmental documentation and permitting or compliance information to a diverse range of customers. 

OR

• Two (2) years as a Transportation Planning Specialist 3, Transportation Engineer 3, or equivalent classification in city or county agencies.  

Skills and Abilities/Competencies:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and processes for the development, construction, and continuing operation of transportation facilities in marine waters.
• Knowledge of permitting agency policies, guidelines, processes, rules and regulations, including USACE, NOAA, USFWS, WDFW, Ecology, and DNR.
• Knowledge of marine ecology (e.g., eelgrass, marine mammals, endangered fish species, sediment, mitigation).
• Demonstrated knowledge of key federal permits and approvals, specifically NEPA, ESA, CWA Section 401, CWA Section 404, Rivers and Harbors Sections 10, and CZMA.
• Demonstrated knowledge of key state permits and approvals, specifically SMA, SEPA, HPA, and DNR Aquatic Lands Use Authorization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of key local permits, specifically shoreline permits and exemptions, noise variance, critical areas ordinance permits, and floodplain development permits.
• Understanding of marine construction, terminal operations, and marine operations. 
• Effectively communicating in writing, verbally, and in presentations and effectively communicating in English with a variety of audiences, including the public, regulatory agency managers and staff, WSF/WSDOT managers and staff, and project engineers.
• Effectively and efficiently performing assigned duties in high stress, demanding, and challenging situations on schedule.
• Effectively conducting meetings with clear focus and goals.
• Working knowledge of NEPA and SEPA processes and document preparation. Environmental Justice, Section 4(f)/6(f) of the U.S. DOT Act, Section 106 of the NHPA.
• Working knowledge of hazardous materials identification, documentation, and reporting. 

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Experience involving analysis and evaluation of environmental issues in transportation, infrastructure, and marine construction.
• Experience working cooperatively and effectively with multi-disciplinary project delivery teams and through multi-agency collaboration to meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. 
• Experience working independently to deliver NEPA and SEPA environmental documentation, environmental permits, and approvals application packages, and ensuring compliance with commitments and conditions through design, construction, and maintenance.
•  Environmental construction compliance experience.
• Experience supporting projects via design-bid-build contracting method.
• Experience supporting projects via the design-build contracting method.
• Experience implementing Chapter 47.85 RCW, Transportation Project Delivery and Review. 

Important Notes 

• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative-approved 5% salary premium for positions with an assigned duty station in King County.
• 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 357-28of 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.gov

Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. 
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum of 14 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 toState Benefitsfor 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 your 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 of 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 for 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.gov

Contact Us