What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Planner position at VA Dept of Transportation?
Title: Environmental Planner
State Role Title: Environmental Specialist II
Hiring Range: $71,797 - $116,670
Pay Band: 5
Agency: VA Dept of Transportation
Location: Richmond District Office
Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The VDOT Richmond District Environmental Team is seeking two Environmental Planners to serve the 14 counties of the Richmond District and to provide environmental leadership, technical guidance, and assistance by assessing the applicability and scope of various environmental activities, including representation of those scopes at interdivisional meetings, and contributing to interdivisional work products. This position will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to implement preliminary engineering activities for VDOT projects and provide recommendations and solutions to environmental issues.
In this position you will:
- Develop NEPA and SERP documents, and other environmental documents including NEPA re-evaluations and Section 4(f) evaluations.
- Serve as the environmental team lead for VDOT projects, participate in project development meetings, and coordinate project milestone plan reviews.
- Advocate options to design engineers for environmental impact avoidance and minimization and identify mitigation alternatives.
- Provide oversight and assistance to VDOT's Locally Administered Project (LAP) program.
- Serve as District environmental team lead for the development of RFP documents for Design Build projects.
- Review contracts and plan sets with an eye towards all environmental implications.
- Complete other environmental review tasks.
- Additional areas of responsibility may be assigned as required or needed.
Additional positions may be filled from this applicant pool in the next 90 days.
Resumes are required with the submission of a state application.
We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.
VDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit “Information for VDOT Employees and Applicants”.
We have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics: Your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values, therefore please access the following link: http://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp to review them and, if in agreement, we welcome you to apply.
In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDOT offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short- and Long-Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.
Minimum Qualifications
- Knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, policies, programs, and procedures relative to transportation.
- Knowledge of transportation project development practices involving planning, traffic, design, right of way, and construction.
- Knowledge and experience performing technical environmental analysis and compiling reports of analytical results to include environmental impact analysis.
- Ability to work as a team member or leader of inter-disciplinary teams under the pressure of deadlines.
- Ability to read and interpret project plans, contracts, special provisions, laws and regulations and environmental program and project documents.
- Ability to effectively negotiate solutions to environmental obstacles.
- Ability to build rapport and to convey technical information in a format easily understood by diverse groups.
- Skilled in computers to include spreadsheet and database software.
- Valid driver's license.
Additional Considerations
- Degree in environmental sciences, natural sciences, forestry and vegetation management, biology, ecology, chemistry, geology, cultural resources, hydrology, hydraulics, social sciences, environmental or urban planning preferred; equivalent experience or training may substitute for progressively responsible experience in professional level. environmental technical programs, planning, and engineering.
- Experience preparing NEPA and/or Section 4(f) documents for transportation projects, including but not limited to Categorical Exclusions.
- Progressively responsible experience in professional level environmental technical programs, planning, and engineering.
- Experience reflecting knowledge of highway transportation environmental processes and programs and ability to apply that knowledge to all phases of the project development process.
- Knowledge of transportation project development practices involving planning, traffic, design, right of way, and construction.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to include preparing and delivering presentations regarding construction projects and environmental impacts.
- Ability to effectively negotiate solutions to environmental conflicts and adverse impacts.
- Mapping and GIS knowledge preferred.
Special Instructions
Fingerprint based background check, references, work history, and DMV records will be verified prior to employment. Position is designated as essential to support emergency operations and may be required to work outside normal work hours to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Once on board, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. H1B VISA Sponsorship is not available. Additional positions may be filled from this applicant pool in the next 90 days.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the PageUp System. State applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered. Applicants are expected to fully represent qualifications and work history on the State application and or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility.
Contact Information
Name: Rebecca Emory
Phone: (804) 401-0234
Email: Rebecca.Emory@vdot.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary : $71,797 - $116,670
