Environmental Protection Specialist DIRECT HIRE

As an Environmental Protection Specialist you will:

• Evaluate environmental documentsincluding Categorical Exclusions (CEs) Environmental Assessments (EAs) Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs) and Records of Decision (RODs)for legal sufficiency and compliance with 23 CFR 771.
• Serve as the primary FTA Region 1 representative in interagency consultations with federal state tribal and local regulatory bodies (e.g. EPA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Army Corps of Engineers State Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers).
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Executive Orders and directives related to NEPA National Historic Preservation Act Section 4(f) of the US DOT Act FTA NEPA regulations and standard operating procedures and the FTA project development process.
• Conduct pre-award environmental reviews and field assessments to identify potential environmental hazards noise/vibration issues air quality impacts or cultural resource conflicts early in project design.
• Facilitate meetings with FTA recipients manage a diverse workload with competing deadlines identify and implement best management practices.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams coordinate with resource agencies and mediate competing stakeholder interests.
• Give presentations in professional settings convey technical topics to non-technical audiences and articulate complex policy positions to agency decision-makers.

The Ideal Candidate for this position is a mid-career employee with experience implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or other environmental laws regulations or policy for transit projects.

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicants successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position you must meet the specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 12 you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience working with project sponsors/recipients local and state agencies and other federal agencies in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws and regulations including Section 4(f) as they relate to transit/transportation projects AND
• Experience applying environmental statutes laws regulations and guidelines related to analyzing environmental impacts protecting the environment and preparing environmental documents for transit/transportation projects AND
• Experience in reviewing and analyzing environmental impacts that occur with transit/transportation projects in compliance with NEPA Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section4(f) and in mitigating
  those impacts AND
• Experience collaborating and communicating with internal and external subject matter specialists (such as planners and engineers) to ensure project compliance with NEPA; preparing written correspondence reports and memos for technical assistance or policy guidance; and presenting technical data to diverse stakeholders.

To qualify for the Grade 13 you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include:

• Experience performing project development activities and working with project sponsors/recipients local and state agencies and other federal agencies in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws and regulations including Section 4(f) as they relate to transit/transportation projects AND
• Experience applying environmental statutes laws regulations guidelines and the federal environmental review processes in compliance with NEPA including the Clean Air Act the National Historic Preservation Act the Clean Water Act the Endangered Species Act Section 4(f) of the DOT Act and other environmental laws regulations and policies as they relate to federal environmental requirements in preparing environmental documents for transit/transportation projects AND
• Experience in managing preparing reviewing and providing technical assistance for transit/ transportation projects that require any level of NEPA review (i.e. categorical exclusion environmental assessment and/or an environmental impact statement) from beginning to conclusion and including mitigation and all consultation such as with the State Historic Preservation Officer USFWS USACE and Federally recognized tribes AND
• Experience working and communicating effectively (orally and in writing) with internal and external subject matterspecialties (e.g. planning and engineering) to ensure program and project compliance with NEPA and other environmental requirements; preparing correspondence reports and memos for consultation technical assistance and policy guidance; leading group meetings/conferences; and conveying technical information to stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge skills abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Stakeholder Management - Knowledge of the concepts practices and techniques used to identify engage influence and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved those who exert influence over the process and its results and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).
• Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing evaluating and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws regulations and guidance.
• Technical Credibility - Understands and appropriately applies principles procedures requirements regulations and policies related to specialized expertise.
• Problem Solving and Communication Strong ability to recognize possible conflicts during environmental reviews public meetings/hearings or regulatory/policy development and propose strategies for solution. Strong ability to interpret and translate the rules and regulations into sound legally adequate compliance documents that anticipate and respond to concerns and potential challenges. Writes in a clear concise organized and convincing manner for the intended audience. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
• Project Management - Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply the principles methods and tools for scheduling coordinating and managing NEPA document preparation and review as an integral part of project development and management including monitoring and evaluating scope of work quality assurance timelines and contractor performance. Comprehensive knowledge of how transportation projects are planned managed implemented and coordinated with the public.

For all types of consideration experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional philanthropic religious spiritual community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions please click on the following link: applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.