Environmental Science and Hazardous Materials Lead; TPS, In-Training

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Transportation Planning Specialist 4 (TPS4, In-Training) to join the Northwest Region (NWR) Environmental Program as our region Hazardous Materials Lead in protecting Washington’s environment and communities as part of operating and improving the state transportation system. The NWR Environmental team works closely with all transportation partners, users, and diverse communities to protect and improve the environment through its policy development, technical support and training, and leadership in sustainability and resiliency.

This lead position supports the agency’s mission, strategic plan goal areas, and safety of the traveling public by serving as a regional leader in hazardous materials and solid waste.

The role applies best available science and professional judgment to conduct studies, prepare technical documentation, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. This lead position supports compliance with federal and state environmental requirements, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA).

Work includes preparing and overseeing hazardous materials technical reports, Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, Sampling and Analysis Plans and other advanced transportation studies. The lead also coordinates with regional and headquarters staff on the development and implementation of statewide policies, as well as training and other program initiatives. The position is based in the NWR Dayton HQ office and is supervised by a regional Technical Services Supervisor, with additional technical support from the Headquarters (HQ) ESO Hazardous Materials Program.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the NWR Hazardous Materials Lead will:

• Facilitate resolution of technical hazardous materials and solid waste management issues within the NWR.
• Effectively and proactively coordinate, independently or as a team member, Haz Mat program deliverables, and services with others in NWR and occasionally with HQ-ESO to develop effective solutions, maximize efficiency and expedite the environmental permitting and approval process.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of hazardous materials and solid waste management sciences and resources and utilize advanced techniques in decision making.
• Perform project field reviews to ensure appropriate techniques are being used to handle hazardous materials and waste.
• Manage and direct work of hazardous materials for staff, consultants, and contractors when required; develop or review consultant scopes of work, budgets, and sampling and analysis plans.
• In collaboration with HQ Haz Mat Program and other regions, implement training programs to establish and maintain needed level of hazardous materials and solid waste management related competence in construction.

Qualifications

This is a Transportation Planning Specialist 4 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.

• Hazardous Materials Regulatory Expertise:
  Advanced knowledge of hazardous materials regulations, characterization methods, and cleanup strategies,…