Senior Environmental Affairs Specialist (2 positions)

Position Title:                        Senior Environmental Affairs Specialist (2 positions)

Location:                                Albany, NY and/or NYC Office

Grade/Classification:          4 (D1) – Professional I

Salary Range:                        $72,710 - $92,708
 

Location Differential:         $5,054 

Bargaining Unit:                  CSEA

FLSA Status:                          Exempt

Last Revised: May 7, 2026

Primary Purpose

The Senior Environmental Affairs Specialist undertakes environmental reviews of moderate complexity necessitated under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA), and State Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act (SSGPIPA), including related programmatic and administrative tasks necessary to support the technical review, screening, inspection, and analysis of existing facilities and projects being funded, undertaken, or approved by DASNY, its clients and sister state agencies.

The Senior Environmental Affairs Specialist must work independently and exercise keen judgement while assuming increasing responsibility for compliance with DASNY’s statutory requirements related to assigned projects. 

Essential Functions

• Coordinate, assess, and perform environmental reviews of moderate complexity in compliance with enacted regulations, including SEQRA, SHPA, and SSGPIPA, for DASNY financings, grant applications, construction projects, client financings and projects.
• Prepare State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) determinations for routine and/or moderately complex projects including Positive Declarations, Findings Statements, Negative Declarations, and Type II Action documentation.
• Verify compliance with the State Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act (SSGPIPA), and the State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA). Initiate required project consultations and correspond with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) utilizing its Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) portal.
• Assist in the implementation of other relevant environmental initiatives including but not limited to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and the Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act.
• Assist with the oversight of consultant preparation of environmental review documents including but not limited to environmental impact statements (EISs), environmental impact analysis reports (EIARs), environmental site assessments, remedial mitigation plans, and cultural resources reports.
• Assist DASNY’s Environmental Managers (EMs), Senior Environmental Managers (SEM's), and the Unit Director with the administration, implementation, completion and tracking of DASNY’s environmental reviews to verify proper compliance with federal, State, and local environmental, coastal, waterfront, historic preservation, and land use/zoning laws.
• Assist with the coordination of public participation opportunities in accordance with environmental laws, including public hearings, scoping sessions, and other informational meetings.
• Perform environmental liaison functions with internal and external technical specialists and consultants, members of the public, environmental agencies, other State and local agencies, grantees, and representatives of federal, State, and local governments.
• Analyze the environmental compliance requirements for DASNY financing, construction, and grant programs.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of tracking systems and/or applications to manage, monitor, and schedule environmental review activities and projects; recommend processes and procedures to improve efficiencies and workflow.
• Develop, prepare and maintain technical reports, databases, spreadsheets, logs and other internal/external reports as assigned.
• Identify and describe potential problems or delays encountered and relay any relevant information to the Director, Senior Manager, and/or Manager, as appropriate.
• Gather data, perform moderately complex research and report findings to the Director, Senior Manager, Manager, Counsel’s Office, and other project team members as needed.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the development, documentation, and implementation of procedures.
• Assist with internal controls implementation, review and testing.
• Assist other units during peak workload periods or for long-term assignments as needed.
• Undertake special assignments as directed.
• Maintain regular, consistent attendance and punctuality in accordance with DASNY policy.
• Must adhere to the NYS Information Security Policy Standards established and issued by the Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination.  (Standards can be found on the Intranet).

Supervision

Supervision of other staff may be required

Physical/Mental/Visual Demands

Occasional travel may be required using public transportation, DASNY vehicle, rental vehicle, or personal vehicle.  This travel may include overnight stays at public accommodations and related establishments.  Overtime or extended work hours may be required.

Work Environment

Standard office environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree plus three years relevant experience; or Associate’s degree plus six years relevant experience. Comprehensive, working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental legislation, rules, and regulations, as well as the principles and practices of environmental analysis and planning.  Familiarity with construction documents, including architectural drawing and site plans and specifications.  Working knowledge of the effects of environmental projects on human and natural resources and ecological relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Architectural Technology, Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental Quality Management, Land Use Planning, Ecology, Traffic Engineering, or related field plus three years relevant experience.  Comprehensive, working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental, rules, and regulations, as well as the principles and practices of environmental analysis and planning.  Working knowledge of the effects of environmental projects on human and natural resources and ecological relationships. 

Essential Skills

• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated judgment and discretion in matters of confidentiality.   
• Proficiency in PC applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, WebEx, and Teams/Zoom meeting software. 

Benefits information: 

DASNY provides financing and construction services to public and private universities, not-for-profit healthcare facilities, and other institutions which serve the public good.

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, which includes: 

• Choice of several health insurance plans
• Dental & vision insurance
• Membership in the NYS Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Investment Plan
• 13 vacation days per year
• 13 sick days per year
•  5 days of personal leave per year
• 12 paid holidays per year (plus one float day)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training & development opportunities

We offer additional benefits, which includes: 

• Telecommuting Work Plan - Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to DASNY’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines. The days designated as telecommute days must be consistent with operational needs as determined by DASNY division, department and/or unit management. Employees may only telecommute on up to four (4) workdays per pay period and shall be limited to no more than two (2) contiguous telecommute workdays. Eligibility applies after 3 months of employment.
• Limited Work from Home (LWFH) – additional telecommute days according to DASNY’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines. Eligibility applies after 6 months of employment.
• DASNY is a government employer for purposes of the Public Services Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF Program). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance of certain student loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. For more information regarding PSLF Program and whether you qualify please visit the Studentaid.gov website.