Please see the following website for application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2333396-0/environmental-manager-liaison-to-sound-transit-transportation-planning-speciali

Salary: $72,036.00 – $96,912.00 Annually
Job Number: 19DOT-NWR-12784

This position is open until filled. The first resume review will take place on February 8th.

The Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has an exciting opportunity for an individual who wants to have a major impact on making transportation work better in the central Puget Sound region. WSDOT’s Northwest Region Environmental Program is searching for a dedicated and passionate Environmental Manager to be part of our team, located in downtown Seattle. This position provides senior level environmental management support to the WSDOT Office of Urban Mobility and Access through the Regional Transit Coordination Division and serves as a liaison between WSDOT and Sound Transit for all Sound Transit projects that interface with state or Interstate highways.

Reporting directly to the Northwest Region Environmental Manager, this position serves as the single point of contact for and leads WSDOT’s role in Sound Transit environmental reviews for all Sound Transit projects that coordinate with WSDOT, including but not limited to:

  • Light Rail extensions that interface with state or Interstate highways
  • Bus on Shoulder, Regional Express Bus, and Bus Rapid Transit Programs
  • Sounder Station Access Improvements
  • Sound Transit projects and operations that interface with WSDOT Mega Projects (AWV, 520, 405, 509, and 167 corridors)
  • Environmental approvals needed for pre-design data collection work within WSDOT R/W or other lands owned or controlled by WSDOT

To thrive in this position, the successful candidate will need to be a self-starter and an exceptional communicator.  A crucial part of the role is to effectively coordinate and problem-solve across a broad range of functions, and partner with Sound Transit’s Environmental Planning and Environmental Compliance managers, WSDOT’s Regional, Modal, and HQ Environmental Teams, Federal Transit Administration, and Federal Highway Administration managers and staff.

At WSDOT, we value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. To learn more, please watch the following video: Why WSDOT?

This position will perform the following work:

  • Represents WSDOT as the primary point of contact for all environmental issues on Sound Transit projects that interface with state or Interstate highways.
  • Provides reliable and professionally sound guidance, consultation, and advice primarily in the areas of NEPA/SEPA environmental documentation and review, permitting, construction compliance, and coordination of environmental policy. Leads environmental reviews and ensures consistency of fulfilling WSDOT environmental requirements and commitments across all Sound Transit projects and operations that interface with state or Interstate highways.
  • Provides strategic support when precedent-setting decisions or actions need to be implemented.
  • Coordinates with customers to assess needs and determine scope of studies, investigations, and procedural coordination relating to environmental regulatory requirements. Ensures quality products through peer review, procedures development, and training.
  • Identifies and pursues environmental review streamlining opportunities and facilitates timely resolution of obstacles to project development and delivery through strategic collaboration with Sound Transit, WSDOT, and regulatory agency managers and subject matter experts.
  • Coordinates and advises WSDOT policy through strategic coordination with other WSDOT environmental managers, functional groups (design, construction, and maintenance), and local, state, and/or federal governments as necessary.

An ideal candidate for this particular position shall bring the following skills and experience:

  • Familiarity with the application of NEPA/SEPA, local/state/federal laws such as the Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Section 4(f), and Section 6(f). Experience with public/agency/tribal coordination on environmental issues during both design and construction phases of transportation projects.
  • Strong comprehension of current best practices relating to transportation project development and environmental compliance during construction.
  • Aptitude for quick and strategic thinking; strong interpersonal and exceptional communication skills; capacity to act and think independently; competency to mediate and bring together conflicting opinions; and effective negotiation skills.
  • Knowledge of WSDOT’s regional, modal, and HQ functional disciplines and business processes and how they work together to make environmental decisions and deliver projects.
  • Knowledge of WSDOT’s environmental policies and procedures commonly used to fulfill environmental requirements and commitments for projects on state or Interstate highways.
  • Experience contributing to the development of environmental commitments for incorporation into design-build and design-bid-build contract packages.
  • Clear understanding of regulatory agency roles, authorities, and processes in Washington State. Critical ability to recognize opportunities for process improvement and streamlining.
  • 5 years of professional work experience as a specialist or lead in one or more areas that include NEPA/SEPA environmental review, environmental permitting, and construction compliance.
  • 3 years of experience managing environmental deliverables and leading a group of environmental technical staff to complete transportation projects.
  • Bachelors or advanced degree in natural, physical or environmental sciences, planning, policy, or a related environmental discipline.

How to Apply: Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please hit the large apply button at the top of this announcement. You may need to set up an account profile. To be considered for this position, you must attach a resume, cover letter, and answer the supplemental questions.  Please note: the answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the experience on your application and resume.

Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Josefina Mutascu at mutascj@wsdot.wa.gov. Please reference recruitment number 19DOT-NWR-12874.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities 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. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/.