The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority provides a world-class customer experience for millions of passengers traveling to and through Raleigh-Durham International airport (RDU). Our organization honors leadership, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and respect. We’re known for innovation, and we need skilled professionals to match our team. Here at RDU, we’ve created a culture that attracts bright, passionate, and caring people who sincerely want to do their best for our internal and external partners. Our organization offers a dynamic, fast-paced environment that promotes teamwork, creativity, and collaboration. As a team member at RDU, you can expect to make a difference through your work, directly impact the achievement of a meaningful mission, advance your career trajectory, and still have room for fun and fulfillment in your daily life.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Environmental and Planning Officer position plays a key role in supporting the advancement of the Authority’s environmental, airport planning, noise, and sustainability initiatives. The Officer must possess strong technical, analytical and communication skills. While most of the work tasks will be environmental in nature (inspections of stormwater outfalls & tenant spaces, SDS & drawing reviews, sampling, emissions calculations, etc.) to ensure compliance with various operating permits and environmental regulations, this role will also support planning (completing analysis on future development in the region that may impact or be impacted by the airport), noise (responding to noise calls), and sustainability (tracking and reporting sustainability performance) tasks. Although starting out as a generalist, the position can evolve into an Officer specializing in one or more of the four previously mentioned areas in the future. This role will support multiple business units across the Authority as well as collaborate with our tenants, local government agencies, and outside stakeholders. This role will report directly to the VP of Planning and Sustainability. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Environmental:

• Environmental areas of coverage include air quality, oil management, hazardous materials, stormwater, deicing and glycol usage, groundwater, storage tank management, wastewater, fats / oils / grease management, drinking water, AFFF / PFAS management, and overall spill response (fuel, lavatory, AFFF, sanitary sewer overflows).
• Monitor surface water quality by collecting stormwater samples and measuring other surface water quality indicators from streams surrounding the Airport.
• Monitor drinking water quality by collecting water samples from on-airport buildings.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure equipment is in proper working order; coordinates off-site repairs when necessary.
• Coordinate delivery and transport of sample containers and laboratory analysis of samples to and from labs.
• Maintain environmental and test result databases and records (e.g. sampling results, fuel spill events, deicing and glycol use, underground and above ground storage tanks, sanitary sewer, generators and boilers).
• Inspect remote stormwater outfall locations.
• Conduct environmental inspections of airport and tenant property and recommend corrective actions; record, report, and follow-up on violations as needed.
• Educate and provide training in areas of environmental compliance (e.g. spill prevention and control).
• Assist in preparing federal, state, and local permits and compliance reports.
• Assist in updating Authority plans, policies, and procedures for environmental programs.
• Support the response to spills, sanitary sewer overflows, and other environmental matters as needed during and after normal business hours, including weekends and holidays.

Planning:

• Coordinate the development and review of terminal and site plans, Airport Layout Plans, environmental assessments, and other planning studies and reports.
• Review and monitor airport development projects for compliance with the Airport Master Plan.
• Monitor and log local government agency and developer plans (e.g. rezoning, development proposals) around the airport to ensure compliance with the Authority’s Height Zoning Ordinance.
• Administer the Height Zoning Ordinance program and avigation easements at RDU, including coordinating efforts for Board of Appeal meetings.
• Assist with local government agency coordination.
• Prepare maps, presentations, and reports.
• Conduct planning analyses and make recommendations for improvement (e.g. terminal ticketing queue planning, capital project planning).
• Assist in the coordination and execution of Section 163/NEPA/SEPA environmental documentation for Authority projects.
• Assist with implementation of the Environmental Compliance Review process for projects that are exempt from NEPA/SEPA review.

Noise:

• Track and assess aircraft flight tracks, runway usage, and other noise data and report on trends observed.
• Respond to public concerns and inquiries relating to noise.
• Develop public awareness information, presentations, and programs about noise and noise abatement issues.
• Communicate on noise in planning reports and at staff / community stakeholder meetings.

Sustainability:

• Coordinate and improve data collection efforts for the tracking of and reporting out of sustainability initiatives.
• Lead / co-lead the completion of sustainability action(s).
• Prepare and support the preparation of implementation plans to advance the RDU Sustainability Program.
• Promote sustainability at RDU.

General:

• Research and analyze federal and state laws, regulations and policies and aviation industry information (e.g. autonomous vehicles, self-tagging bags, etc) to prepare planning, environmental, sustainability, and noise studies and reports in support of airport projects.
• Prepare and/or assist with development of presentations, meeting materials and programs for Authority staff, tenants, local governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare meeting materials.
• Assist in the preparation of request for proposal/qualification documents for various contracted scopes of services.
• Perform additional related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, environmental science, architecture, engineering, or related field.

Experience:

Required:

• 2 years of experience in planning, environmental, sustainability, noise, or a related field.

Preferred:

• 5 years of experience in planning, environmental, sustainability, noise, or a related field.
• 1 years of airport or transportation planning experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Required:

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Preferred:

• 24-hr HAZWOPER

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Knowledge of:

• Experience in working with federal and state planning or environmental standards and regulatory agencies with familiarity of Federal Aviation Administration programs and standards desirable.
• NEPA/SEPA.
• Environmental, planning, and FAA regulations, and working to comply with those regulations.
• Airport operations and airport infrastructure planning.

 Skilled in:

• Reading planning, environmental, design, architectural, and construction maps and documents developed in geographic information system mapping (ArcGIS), AutoCAD, or similar software.
• Field work to collect samples and conduct observational surveys.
• Coordinating environmental, planning, and/or development projects and performing data research and analysis.
• Microsoft Office Suite applications including MS Teams.
• GIS and/or CAD (desirable).
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical and logical problem-solving skills.
• Maintaining an organized working methodology.
• Time management.

 Ability to:

• Work in a collaborative, team environment.
• Read, write, understand, and speak English fluently.
• Read blueprints, planning, architectural, and engineering drawings.
• Be open to new opportunities and experiences.
• Work well with others in different disciplines.
• Formulate sound conclusions.
• Handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to multitask, work on different tasks, and switch areas of focus.
• Receive direction from multiple people and manage that workload.
• Operate a motor vehicle.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Salary

• Maximum: To commensurate with experience
• Minimum: $63,133.29

Benefits:

At RDU, you’re not just a blip on the radar. We appreciate you and care about your health, happiness, and future. Here’s a snapshot of our awesome benefits!

• Work-Life Harmony
  • Paid Vacation Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Flexible Holiday Options
• Health and Wellness
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • On-site Fitness Classes & Employee Fitness Center Access
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) – with matching employer contributions
  • Flexible Spending Accounts – medical and dependent care options
  • Opportunities for employer-paid or discounted insurance plans
• Financial Wellness
  • Tuition assistance and career development
  • Shift Differential pay
  • 401(k) plan, Traditional and Roth options – with matching employer contributions
  • 457(b) plan, Traditional, and Roth options
  • NC Pension Retirement Plan
  • Employee Discounts – cell phone service plans, RDU Airport Terminal stores, and restaurants

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representatives of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Work may be performed indoors or outdoors in potentially adverse conditions on uneven ground in all types of weather. May periodically be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment, machinery, and overhead and ground-level aircraft noise. Will need to be able to work outside in heavily wooded areas with abundant wildlife.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• The position involves medium physical demands, such as exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to physically perform the basic operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, and hearing.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare data, operate a computer, do extensive reading, use measurement devices, and observe and inspect property, facilities, and operations.