Division Environmental Officer

Title

Environmental Program Supervisor I (NS), Division State Hwy Administrator – Division of Highways, NC Department of Transportation

The NC Department of Transportation is committed to safely connecting people and places while enhancing the environment, accountability, and customer focus with an eye toward the economy and vitality of North Carolina.

• Ensure Division Maintenance and Construction projects comply with all environmental laws and regulations.
• Ensure that all necessary biological, natural resource, wetland, and protected species issues have been thoroughly investigated and provide technical input to the Division Project Development Unit and other units in support of environmental documentation for selected projects located in the Division.
• Conduct field investigations of plant and animal species in diverse habitats within and adjacent to transportation corridors.
• Identify jurisdictional wetlands from non‑jurisdictional uplands within transportation corridors.
• Conduct rare species surveys.
• Prepare technical reports, biological assessments, minimum criteria determination checklists, and categorical exclusions.
• Determine which environmental regulation permits are required.
• Schedule project familiarization conferences with state and federal regulation agencies.
• Prepare and submit permit applications and exhibits to regulatory agencies.
• Negotiate permit conditions with regulatory agencies.
• Advise design engineers and project managers on unusual or sensitive environmental resources.
• Identify and help manage environmental risks to ensure project delivery.
• Assist in developing strategic environmental plans and initiatives to enhance project schedules and design feasibility.
• Mediate disputes between regulatory agencies and transportation construction managers.
• Advise transportation construction managers of deficiencies in environmental regulation compliance.
• Advise successful bidders about regulatory requirements.
• Conduct pre‑construction and permit review meetings with environmental agencies, contractors, and NCDOT personnel to review and interpret permit conditions and environmental commitments for Division projects.
• Assist construction and maintenance engineers in ensuring environmental compliance with waste and borrow site reclamation plans.
• Conduct training as required for Division staff on pertinent environmental topics and provide informal training on environmental issues during site visits.
• Serve as a point of contact for State and Federal agencies, wildlife refuges, local government officials, and transportation board members.
• Assist in the assessment of potential National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and best management practice (BMP) sites for NPDES Permit compliance.

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, or natural resource sciences, or a closely related curriculum, and three years of progressive environmental work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations relating to SEPA and NEPA and the preparation of related environmental documentation.
• Experience preparing 404 and 401 permit applications and related exhibits.
• Experience conducting natural resource field evaluations, such as stream and wetland delineation, threatened and endangered species surveys, and basic knowledge of SHPO issues.
• Experience serving as an environmental liaison between NC DOT staff, consultants, resource agencies, environmental regulators, and stakeholders.
• Experience planning, conducting, and reviewing technical projects and evaluating construction and maintenance projects for environmental compliance and stewardship.
• Ability to plan, conduct, and review technical environmental projects and prepare technical reports, biological assessments, and other documentation.
• Ability to manage public contacts, communicate with agencies and stakeholders with professionalism and judgment.
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate staff and to review and critique the work of others.

Salary Grade: NC19 – Salary Range: $67,122 – $117,465.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.