• Job Description

  Req#: 15383
  !*!

  TxDOT is looking for an Environmental Specialist I, II, or III in the Abilene District Office. If you are looking to build a career, you have come to the right place!

  At TxDOT we strive to achieve a work-life balance and recognize the importance of your career as well as your home life. We offer a wide array of programs and activities including compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, career development programs, tuition assistance and many other benefits.

  For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Hidden Benefits

  Also, check out a few of our employees’ testimonies of why they’ve chosen TxDOT: Why we choose TxDOT

  Considering moving to Abilene, TX? Here is a link to Abilene’s Chamber of Commerce’s Relocating webpage to learn more about this growing little town! Abilene Chamber of Commerce

  Salary Plan/Grade:

  • Environmental Specialist I: B16 ($37,918.00 - $58,130.00/yearly)

  • Environmental Specialist II: B18 ($42,521.00 - $67,671.00/yearly)

  • Environmental Specialist III: B20 ($48,158.00 - $77,477.00/yearly)

  *The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position offered based on the applicant's work experience, skill level and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

  
  Abilene District Headquarters (08DISTHQ)
  4250 NORTH CLACK
  Abilene, 79601
  
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  At TxDOT, we value employee work-life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include:

  • Low Turnover
  • Retirement Pension
  • Alternative Work Schedules
  • Paid Leave/Holidays
  • Health Premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees
  • On the Job Training
  • Tuition Assistance Program
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program/Wellness Leave Incentives
  • Career Development Programs/Opportunities for advancement

  For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
  To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)
  

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  Environmental Specialist I:

  Performs environmental-related work activities. Provides expertise and technical support for multi-discipline areas of environmental studies for clearance of transportation activities. Work requires contact with governmental agencies and the private entities. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details.

  Environmental Specialist II:

  Performs environmental-related work activities. Provides expertise and technical support for multi-discipline areas of environmental studies for clearance of transportation activities. Work requires contact with governmental agencies and the private entities.[ Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however all unusual issues are referred the supervisor].

  Environmental Specialist III:

  Performs environmental-related work activities. Provides high-level expertise and technical support for multi-discipline areas of complex environmental studies for clearance of transportation activities. Work requires considerable contact with governmental agencies and the private entities. [Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.]

  The essential duties for the Environmental Specialist I include:

  • Assists in the planning and scheduling of environmental coordination, projects, issues and mitigation.
  • Assists with the development of environmental programs; analyzes and monitors the effectiveness of environmental programs.
  • Conducts air and/or noise modeling and analysis.
  • Conducts inspections, field surveys, project investigations and prepares/reviews environmental documents to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Conducts routine cultural resource significance and effect determinations.
  • Conducts surveys, tests or inventories for transportation project clearance.
  • Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public and Department personnel.
  • Coordinates environmental projects.
  • Coordinates with Department staff, state, federal and regulatory agencies in routine mitigation efforts and completes routine mitigation requirements.
  • Evaluates environmental impact of transportation activities including noise, air and water quality, wetlands, hazardous material, socioeconomic, environmental justice, biological, geological, cultural or historic resources.
  • Prepares and distributes environmental education material.
  • Prepares correspondence, reports, requests and environmental assessments/impact statements/programmatic assessments.
  • Provides guidance on environmental rules, regulations and public involvement procedures.
  • Reviews and maintains an automated project tracking system/database.
  • Schedules and coordinates public involvement activities for a district.
  • Trains Department employees in environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and issues.

  Additional duties for Environmental Specialist II include:

  • Develops, analyzes and monitors environmental programs.
  • Develops work break-down structures and consultant deliverable schedules for engineering and or scientific services contracts and reviews deliverables and makes recommendations for approval.
  • Maintains, updates and compiles detailed data in spreadsheets, files, logs, summaries and records.
  • Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of environmental programs.
  • Conducts inspections, field surveys, assessments, project investigations and prepares/reviews environmental documents to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public and Department personnel.
  • Coordinates environmental projects.
  • Plans and schedules complex environmental coordination, projects, issues and mitigation.
  • Reviews, evaluates, monitors and/or approves consultant work, research programs or special studies.
  • Serves on internal/external committees and task force groups.
  • Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

  Additional duties for Environmental Specialist III include:

  • Assists with the preparation of bid proposals including researching previous contracts, writing specifications, advertising notice to bid, contracting bid list for contractor, scheduling and conducting pre-award/ pre-bidding conferences
  • Prepares and approves correspondence, reports and environmental assessments.
  • Reviews contracts, amendments, subcontracts, procurement documents, change orders, work orders, supplemental agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing and consultant qualifications.
  • Visits and inspects consultant/contractor work sites, evaluates and approves completed work.
  • Conducts inspections, field surveys, assessments, project investigations and prepares/reviews environmental documents to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public and Department personnel.
  • Designs, guides, directs, monitors and completes complex environmental coordination of programs, issues and mitigation.
  • Develops guidelines and assists in the development of environmental policies and procedures.
  • Keeps abreast of current environmental developments to include laws, regulations, policies and procedures
  • May serve as a lead worker and the related tasks.
  • Performs complex environmental site assessments.
  • Prepares, writes and makes environmental-related presentations.
  • Trains Department employees in environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and issues.

  !*!

  Minimum Qualifications:

  Education: Bachelor's Degree in natural sciences, history, or a related discipline. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

  Licenses and Certifications:

  • Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
  • For Geologist : Must meet Edward's Aquifer requirements for a geologist as described in 30 TAC213.3(14) and TAC 213.5 (b)(3)

  Work Experience required for Environmental Specialist I:

  • • None Required

  Work Experience required for Environmental Specialist II:

  • • 1 YEAR environmental studies (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent)

  Work Experience required for Environmental Specialist III:

  • • 3 YEARS environmental studies (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent)

  The required competencies for the Environmental Specialist I include:

  • Applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility for safeguarding information and information technology related systems

  • Planning, directing, coordinating and scheduling

  • Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external

  • Analyzing and organizing business and technical data

  • Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

  • Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports

  • Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems

  • Maintaining a safe working relationship

  • Planning methods, techniques and strategies

  • Reviewing plans for accuracy and ensuring compliance with requirements

  Additional competencies for Environmental Specialist II include:

  • Environmental laws, regulations and mitigation requirements pertaining to natural resources and hazardous materials management

  • Contract development and oversight

  • Developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information

  • Reviewing plans for accuracy and ensuring compliance with requirements

  • Planning, directing, coordinating and scheduling

  • Researching, evaluating and interpreting complex information

  • Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external

  • Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

  • Collaborates and cooperates with others and builds effective working relationships with internal and external members to accomplish organizational goals

  Additional competencies for Environmental Specialist III include:

  • Construction, maintenance and operation of transportation facilities

  • Contract development and management policies and procedures

  • Contract record-keeping

  • Developing and implementing programs

  • Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external

  • Reviewing plans for accuracy and ensuring compliance with requirements

  • Scheduling work assignments

  • Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area

  • Analyzing and organizing business and technical data

  • Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping and records management

  • Prioritizing and organizing work assignments

  • Developing and giving presentations

  The physical requirements and working conditions for the Environmental Specialist I, II, and III include:

  • Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions

  • Subject to noise

  • Subject to vibration

  • Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools

  • Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.

  • Talking- expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words

  • Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

  • Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

  • Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment

  
  Conditions of Employment:
  Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

  • Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
    • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

  !*!

  TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

  To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

  https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

  !*!

  The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

  If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

  Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information

• About the company

  The Texas Department of Transportation is a government agency in the American state of Texas.

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