What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Scientist position at HSG, LLC?
General Description
Under the guidance of the Project Manager, the Environmental Scientist will provide technical expertise and support for the client’s (NASA Glenn Research Center) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental planning program, as well as the Natural Resources and Cultural Resource Management programs as needed. The position will support environmental reviews of proposed programs, projects, and activities; identify potential environmental impacts and requirements; prepare and maintain documentation; and support environmental due diligence activities.
The position will support NASA GRC environmental operations at Lewis Field and the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (GRC-ATF) and help ensure environmental planning activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, NASA Procedural Requirements (NPRs), NASA Policy Directives (NPDs), and Center-level requirements.
How You Will Fulfill Your Mission
- Conduct environmental planning and compliance reviews for proposed programs, projects, and activities; identify potential environmental impacts, applicable regulatory requirements, and alternatives through review of project information, drawings, designs, checklists, and supporting documentation.
- Attend project meetings, demonstrations, site visits, scoping meetings, and other activities necessary to understand proposed actions and evaluate potential environmental impacts.
- Prepare and manage NEPA and related environmental documentation, including NEPA Checklists, Records of Environmental Consideration (RECs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Environmental Baseline Surveys, Executive Order 12114 reports, and other environmental studies and surveys, as applicable.
- Coordinate environmental reviews and project activities with project managers, principal investigators, action proponents, stakeholders, and regulatory/resource agencies; participate in project meetings, site visits, demonstrations, scoping and public meetings, and coordinate information gathering and public notification/comment activities.
- Maintain environmental records, tracking systems, and compliance commitments, including NEPA administrative records, project trackers, and other applicable systems; monitor implementation and document closure of NEPA commitments in accordance with Center and NASA requirements.
- Conduct environmental research, studies, and technical assessments, including environmental noise surveys, and provide technical advice and recommendations to project proponents, applicants, resident agencies, tenant partners, and other stakeholders.
- Conduct and support Environmental Due Diligence (EDD) activities for real property actions, personal property disposal, and demolition projects.
- Support preparation and review of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), site sampling, and other NASA EDD documentation.
- Monitor and evaluate implementation of NEPA commitments and update Center tracking mechanisms to document compliance and closure.
- Support the Natural Resources Management Program, including implementation and oversight of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), and provide technical support for natural resource policies, plans, and program activities.
- As needed, conduct natural resource assessments, surveys, and ecological monitoring to evaluate flora, fauna, wildlife populations, habitat conditions, invasive species, wetlands, and other ecological resources; collect and analyze data to support resource management and decision-making.
- Support natural resource regulatory compliance and conservation activities, including Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 and Migratory Bird Treach Act (MBTA) reviews and consultations, biological assessments, threatened and endangered species evaluations, habitat modeling, species recovery, prescribed fire, and coordination with Federal, State, and regional resource agencies.
- Support the Cultural Resources Management Program in accordance with the NHPA, including Sections 106 and 110, Programmatic Agreements, and other applicable requirements; assist with development and maintenance of the Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP) and related reports and records.
- Coordinate cultural resource consultations and program activities with NASA stakeholders, SHPOs, Tribes, Federal and State agencies, and other partners; prepare consultation documentation, guidance, training materials, and technical reports, and provide CRM support to NEPA reviews, facilities activities, and other projects on an as-needed basis.
- Support cultural resource surveys, assessments, and monitoring, including historic resource evaluations, archaeological and Phase I surveys, predictive sensitivity modeling, construction monitoring, artifact curation, and other studies associated with proposed projects and undertakings on an as-needed basis.
- Provide support to other areas of the contract, HSG customers, and projects as required.
- Ensure all work performed is conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements, applicable performance work statements, health and safety requirements, job hazard analyses, and approved standard operating procedures.
Why We Value You
- You are able to work independently and show a high level of initiative and attention to detail.
- You have a consistent character and do not yield to pressure to compromise or cut corners.
- You have a strong ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and customers by clearly expressing your intent and understanding the focus and purpose of the conversation while allowing each person to get their point across.
- You are open to new ideas and innovations and can create modifications or changes in yourself to adapt or suit a new environment/situation.
- You have faith in your own ideas and ability to be successful.
- You hold yourself to the highest standard and work to inspire your team to produce quality work.
Specific Knowledge/Certification Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, environmental policy, natural resources, biology, ecology, planning, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience conducting environmental reviews and applying NEPA requirements to projects, programs, or operational activities.
- Working knowledge of NEPA, Section 7 of the ESA, MBTA, and other applicable federal environmental requirements.
- Experience preparing or supporting NEPA documentation such as Categorical Exclusions/NEPA Checklists, Records of Environmental Consideration (RECs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and/or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).
- Experience reviewing project plans, technical information, and supporting documentation to identify environmental impacts and compliance requirements.
- Ability to research, interpret, and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Strong technical writing skills with experience preparing environmental reports, analyses, correspondence, or similar technical documentation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate technical environmental information to project personnel, management, and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple environmental reviews and assignments while meeting established deadlines.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to obtain and maintain required NASA facility access.
Working Conditions
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
- Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear; have sufficient manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, and other such office equipment as necessary; may occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Specific visual abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
- Work Environment: Work will mainly be performed in an office setting with occasional outdoor activities and may require irregular hours
- Travel: A low to moderate amount of travel away from office may be required.