Nepa Specialist 4

The NEPA Specialist 4 is fully proficient at providing document preparation for Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and other related studies. The position will also serve other complex environmental projects as needed through a full spectrum of research, fieldwork, documentation, public involvement, and agency coordination services to clients in the area of environmental documentation for State and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, a desire to learn new concepts, and have good organizational and communication skills. The NEPA Specialist 4 works with a high level of autonomy. They will often review the work of others with less experience. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Proficient

• Fully proficient understanding of technical fundamentals related to the market sector
• Leads technical efforts on a variety of project types, sizes and complexities
• Mentors others on technical tasks and skills
• Performs quality control of moderately complex deliverables

Team player who leads small teams (1-2 people) to complete challenging assignments.

Thinks independently, provides clear communication and direction to others, and takes responsibility for their results.

Produces the following independently and oversees others with less experience:

• Permit applications, reports, studies, memos associated with environmental and regulatory compliance
• All manner of technical reports, memos and studies associated with and/or required by NEPA and state/local environmental compliance
• Sections of NEPA documents (CEs, EAs, EISs) - e.g., P&N Statements and Alternatives Analysis sections
• Local, State and Federal permit applications and Mitigation Plans
• Agency scoping meeting presentations and materials
• Lead agency consultations and permitting pre-application meetings
• Agency consultation documents (e.g., Section 7, Section 4(f), Section 106, EFH Consultations)

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentors others on above.

• Interprets, understands, and employs NEPA and Environmental laws, regulations, guidance, guidelines, E.O's, and procedures with full proficiency:
  • NEPA
  • Laws and regulations relevant to NEPA and environmental compliance
  • CEQ's implementation guidelines
  • NEPA guidelines from various federal agencies
  • Applicable NEPA and NEPA related E.O.'s
  • DOT environmental procedures
  • Environmental procedures for federal, state, and local clients
• Mentors others on interpreting, understanding and employing those laws and regulations
• Understands NEPA process, procedures, timelines, compliance concerns, and requirements of the full NEPA and regulatory compliance process

Frequent direct communications with clients to resolve technical issues on moderate to complex projects. Leads client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks.

Other duties as assigned.

Performs advanced levels of technical work on large, complex projects as a trusted technical member of the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. May perform some project management tasks.

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: 6 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 5 years

• Advanced NEPA training required
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee will need the ability to drive or ride on all-terrain vehicle, ride in small plane or helicopter, cut brush with machete or shears, dig with shovel or digging bars, kneel for extended periods of time, walk and hike through rough terrain, snow, and ice, and occasionally carry between 30 and 50 pounds. May need to work at remote sites.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.

In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to moderately loud due to the proximity to construction sites and related equipment.

In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Geographical locations are taken into consideration with respect to compensation.