Environmental Assistant Transportation Planning Specialist 2 | Careers at WSDOT page has loaded. Environmental Assistant Transportation Planning Specialist 2 | Careers at WSDOT page has loaded. ** Environmental Assistant Transportation Planning Specialist 2**

**Environmental Assistant Transportation Planning Specialist 2**

Salary $56,856.00 - $76,416.00 Annually Location Clark County Vancouver, WA Job Type Full Time - Permanent Department Dept. of Transportation Job Number 21DOT-SWR-40815 Closing 11/3/2021 11:59 PM Pacific Description

**About WSDOT**

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.

**The Opportunity**

WSDOT has an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional who is passionate about the environment to join the Southwest Region Environmental Services team in Vancouver, WA. The Environmental Assistant will directly support the transportation needs of Washington State and be a part of the exciting work WSDOT is doing to meet environmental stewardship goals. This position will be responsible for providing environmental support to projects for scoping, design, construction, and post-construction efforts to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review and permitting requirements. You will also aid in planning and conducting transportation studies related to biological resources and other environmental technical disciplines to meet regulatory requirements. You will have the opportunity to perform site visits, collaborate with engineers, biologists, archaeologists, landscape architects and assist in finding creative environmental solutions.

**What to Expect**

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

* Prepare and contribute to the development of environmental documentation and permit applications (Environmental Review Summaries, Environmental Classification Summaries, SEPA checklists, Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Applications, Hydraulic Project Approvals, Shoreline Permit applications, Land Use Permit Applications, etc).

* Communicate scheduled completion dates to customers (Environmental Coordinators or design/construction team) for tasks and/or projects you are responsible for.

* Develop scope, schedule, and budget for the required environmental processes during the project scoping/definition phase.

* Collect field data as needed to support permit and other requirements, including wetland delineations, wetland reports, and preparing Endangered Species Act (ESA) documentation.

* Organize project files and other office resource files as needed. Maintain hard copy and electronic files for projects directly assigned.

* Support the Environmental Coordinators and Biology staff with environmental compliance before and during construction.

* Conduct field reviews of environmental conditions including sensitive areas, review temporary sediment erosion control plans, spill prevention and control countermeasures (SPCC) plans, spill prevention and control countermeasures (SPCC) plans and review best management practices (BMP) installations for region construction projects as assigned.

* Monitor assigned projects to ensure environmental compliance during construction and make professional recommendations based on field reviews.

* Assure that all environmental laws, rules, regulations, and policies are followed on all aspects of the construction program by providing data entry and management of environmental commitments in the Commitment Tracking System (CTS) database and development of environmental special provisions.

* Prepare environmental commitment notebooks for preconstruction meetings.

* Perform construction site fish exclusion activities for maintenance and construction permit compliance.

* Attend meetings, training and conferences as needed for professional development and coordinate with other environmental professionals within WSDOT for continued professional development.

* Provide input and support the development of relevant procedures and guidance.

* Conduct formal and informal training on current and developing environmental issues as requested by regional personnel.

**Qualifications**

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

* Ability to effectively communicate with various internal and external customers, both verbally and in writing.

* Ability to use of various software programs including Word, Excel, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

* Ability to use field equipment including shovels, machetes, augers, electroshocking backpack, dip nets and hand tools.

* Ability to travel within the Southwest Region for projects site visits or meetings with stakeholders and occasional statewide travel for training.

* Basic knowledge and understanding of how the following laws and regulations apply to transportation projects:

* National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

* State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

* Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

* Endangered Species Act

* Clean Water Act

In addition to the above qualifications, **one** of the following is also required:

* Bachelors Degree involving major study in landscape architecture, environmental studies, planning, biology, or natural or physical sciences **AND** one (1) year of professional experience in the fields listed above. Professional experience involving transportation and/or engineering issues will also be considered qualifying experience, **OR**

* Associate Degree in one of the fields listed above **AND** two (2) years of professional experience in the fields listed above, **OR**

* Four (4) years of professional experience in the fields listed above, **OR**

* Masters Degree in the academic fields listed above.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

* Experience preparing NEPA and SEPA documents and permit applications.

* Experience using Geographic Information Systems.

* Certified Erosion and Spill Control Lead (CESCL) Certification.

* Experience delineating wetlands.

* Experience identifying native and non-native plants.

* Experience identifying juvenile salmonids typically found in Washington. Trained and knowledgeable in WSDOT fish moving protocol.

* Experience completing Endangered Species Act documentation (Biological Assessments and Programmatic forms).

* Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Certified Inspector.

**Important Notes**

* This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions throughout the Region per business needs.

* By issuance of proclamation, the Governor of Washington State mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes, however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.

**Why WSDOT**

* Work-Life Balance We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.

* Paid Leave In addition to 10 paid holidays, full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!

* Tuition Assistance Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligi