Environmental Specialist 1/Trainee 1/Trainee 2 (NY HELPS)

Duties Description

Under the direction of a higher-level supervisor/manager, perform environmental related duties in the Environmental Group in support for design of highways and bridges for delivery of the Region’s State-let and Local-let capital program.

Duties May Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Research and analyze environmental resources such as wetlands, streams, endangered species, cultural, historic and archaeological resources, etc. that may be affected by proposed transportation projects.
• Assist with analysis of environmental aspects of State and Local let projects, including Air/Noise, HAZMAT, Asbestos, Endangered Species, Ecology, Energy, and Environmental Justice.
• Prepare and update guidance documents pertaining to Regional environmental review procedures and resources.
• Conduct all environmental procedural requirements for advancing and expediting environmental studies/analyses associated with Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and other documents associated with the New York State Department of Transportation (the Department) regional projects.
• Assist with preparation and tracking of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Cat Ex determinations in accordance with the Department’s Programmatic Agreement Regarding Categorical Exclusions (PARCE) made during the project development process, especially those made in the Design Approval Document, to make sure the Department is meeting the FHWA’s requirements.
• Write reports pertaining to the environmental process, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)
• Participate on special project assignments and/or priority projects
• Participate in project meetings with Department staff, consultants, and environmental regulatory and advisory agencies.
• Write reports; make recommendations; ensure compliance with NEPA and SEQR determinations, develop policy and procedures for a variety of environmental issues; provide technical expertise on environmental matters to other staff; and coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies to obtain environmental permits and approvals
• Use GIS to identify and evaluate environmental resources present on proposed transportation projects.
• Prepare project level correspondence and reports for coordination with involved state and federal regulatory agencies
• Assist with the preparation of environmental permit applications and other approvals
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

Environmental Specialist Trainee 1

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Four years of environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards; preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters; providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules, and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.

Environmental Specialist Trainee 2

Five years of environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards; preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters; providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules, and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.

Environmental Specialist 1

Six years of environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards; preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters; providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules, and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.

Substitution: An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

If chosen, you may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications at your interview.

Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

Additional Comments

Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
  
  

At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

If you are on the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) eligible list, please state that along with your score in your cover letter.

Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt

The salary range listed reflects the full range for this graded position. For new State employees appointed into graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. For more salary information please visit https://oer.ny.gov/salary-schedules