Environmental Specialist IV - Residential Services

Introduction

The Residential Services Section serves property owners and their selected contractors and appointed agents. The scope of services includes drinking water wells, septic systems and other residential activities that affect water resources in the ground.  for more information about The Division of Water Residential Services.

The Environmental Specialist IV serves as the lead coordinator for implementing Executive Order 18 (EO-18) and E-Permitting modernization initiatives. The position directs electronic permitting systems, digital workflow improvements, permit tracking, process modernization, and interagency coordination to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance. Responsibilities include overseeing EO-18 and E-Permitting priorities, supporting environmental reviews and permitting activities, monitoring performance measures, providing technical guidance, and staff oversight.

• Perform environmental specialist work in an environmental specialty area such as wildlife/endangered species, wetlands and vegetation, noise, air quality, civil rights, architecture/historic properties, and archaeology sites.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to engineering and project personnel, representatives from local, state and federal agencies, and project stakeholders to incorporate environmental and sociocultural considerations into project and/or program activities.
• Ensure that State project and/or program plans, construction and maintenance are all in compliance with local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to water quality, wetlands, air quality, noise, wildlife, civil rights, historic preservation, and recreational sites.
• Conduct research, field studies and evaluations for compliance with regulatory requirements; observe, collect, analyze, review and interpret data, technical reports, and regulatory submissions to make recommendations on project and/or program alternatives.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation on consultation efforts, project effect documentation, permits, and Memorandums of Agreement.
• Coordinate and negotiate with local, state and federal regulatory agencies to obtain necessary permits or approvals and ensure project delivery of proposed construction related activities that may affect environmental or cultural resources.
• Make recommendations and negotiate mitigation efforts with project managers, regulatory agencies and other project stakeholders; ensure these commitments are met.
• Meet with engineering and other project personnel, state agency personnel, project stakeholders and regulatory agencies to resolve resource compliance issues and keep project/programs moving to completion.
• Formulate plans and policies to preserve and enhance the social and natural environment.
• May meet with community leaders, special interest groups, resource agencies, the general public, or other affected parties to provide outreach and education on environmental impacts, mitigation, and environmental stewardship using a variety of forums such as seminars, workshops, conferences, newsletters, assessments, and analytical reports.
• May review draft environmental or cultural legislation proposals, regulations, or rule changes and provide comments regarding the proposed changes as they relate to the development of projects and/or programs.

• Possession of a Master’s degree or higher in Environmental Planning, Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Architectural History/Historical Preservation, Archaeology/Anthropology or related field OR a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Planning, Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Architectural History/Historic Preservation, Archaeology/Anthropology, or related field and a recognized contribution to the field or agency.
• Five years of experience in performing environmental specialist work which includes the analysis and assessment of environmental and/or cultural impacts of projects and/or programs.
• Three years of experience in collecting, compiling, and analyzing data, and publishing a technical report on the results of an environmental project.
• Three years…