Environmental Specialist II - Climate Change Policy Specialist Limited Term

Introduction

The DNREC Climate and Sustainability Section is charged with coordinating state actions that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and improving Delaware’s resiliency to climate change impacts. They use technical assistance, financial incentives, policy development, pilot projects and education initiatives to meet this charge.

for more information about the Climate and Sustainability Initiatives within the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy.

The Climate Change Policy Specialist will assist with implementation of Delaware’s Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant, implementation of the 2025 Delaware Climate Action Plan (CAP), and support state greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory data collection and updates. Assignments will also include technical analyses of GHG reduction strategies and modeling of future conditions & climate change impacts with DNREC staff and external consultants.

The incumbent will support a workgroup of technical experts charged with developing GHG projections and identifying strategies for improving state GHG modeling. This position is on the team engaging the public & technical stakeholders to implement GHG emissions reduction strategies in Delaware.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Performs 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.
• Provides 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.
• Ensures 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.
• Conducts research, field studies and evaluations for compliance with regulatory requirements; observes, collects, analyzes, reviews and interprets data, technical reports, and regulatory submissions to make recommendations on project and/or program alternatives.
• Prepares technical reports, documentation on consultation efforts, project effect documentation, permits, and Memorandums of Agreement.
• Coordinates and negotiates 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.
• Makes recommendations and negotiates mitigation efforts with project managers, regulatory agencies and other project stakeholders; ensures these commitments are met.
• Meets 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.
• Formulates 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.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Environmental Specialist II

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental…