• Job Description

  Req#: 17323
  !*!

  TxDOT's Houston District - Advanced Project Development (APD) Section is seeking an Environmental Project Planner based in Houston, Texas. This individual will oversee the environmental analysis process for transportation projects in the Houston area. The Houston District oversees the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations of the roads and bridges on the state highway system in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. The environmental analysis would be in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other state and national rules/regulations. This position coordinates heavily with inner agency staff as well as consultants and stakeholder partners. This position demands excellent communication, organizational, and scheduling skills. The position is office-based and requires knowledge of computers and computer programs.

  Monthly Salary Range
  Environmental Project Planner I: (B20) $4,013.17 - $6,456.42
  Environmental Project Planner II (B22) $4,551.17 - $7,391.92
  Environmental Project Planner III: (B25) $5,521.58 - $9,055.50

  Multi-Level Job Notice
  This position is for Environmental Project Planner I, II, or III. The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

  
  Hou District Headquartrs (12DISTHQ-1)
  7600 WASHINGTON AVENUE
  Houston, 77007
  
  !*!

  Environmental Project Planner I:

  Coordinates and manages environmental planning activities associated with transportation projects for the Department. Work
  includes serving as the liaison with state and federal resource agencies, environmental and special interest groups, consultant staff, and internal project sponsors. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details; may perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

  Environmental Project Planner II:

  Coordinates and manages environmental planning activities associated with transportation projects for the Department. Work
  includes serving as the liaison with state and federal resource agencies, environmental and special interest groups, consultant staff, and internal project sponsors. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details; perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred the supervisor.

  Environmental Project Planner III:

  Coordinates and manages environmental planning and program activities associated with transportation projects for the Department. Work includes serving as the liaison with state and federal resource agencies, environmental and special interest groups, consultant staff, and internal project sponsors. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details; establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

  Essential Duties:

  Environmental Project Planner I:

  • Consults and coordinates with districts project managers, planners, engineers, and environmental staff on refinement of
    projects to avoid and minimize environmental impacts.
  • Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public, and Department
    personnel related to environmental resources.
  • Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological,
    water, geological, socioeconomic, environmental justice, protected lands (Section 4(f), Section 6(f), and Chapter 26), and
    cultural (historic and archeological) resources.
  • Prepares and reviews routine environmental related schedules, scopes of work, and deliverables for project delivery
    prepared by department staff and/or consultants.
  • Prepares routine environmental related reports and technical analyses, illustrating data graphically and translating
    technical information into written text.
  • Prepares technical studies, in support of categorical exclusions, to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal
    environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Reviews environmental schedules, scopes of work, and deliverables for project delivery prepared by department staff
    and/or consultants for engineering and or scientific services contracts.
  • Reviews, maintains, and updates an automated project tracking system/database related to environmental projects and
    studies.
  • Schedules and coordinates public involvement activities for related environmental/planning projects and
    environmental/planning studies.
  • Conducts and/or coordinates field surveys, assessments, and/or project investigations for incorporation into
    environmental technical studies.
  • Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

  Environmental Project Planner II:

  • Conducts and/or coordinates field surveys, assessments, and project investigations for incorporation into environmental
    technical studies and environmental documents.
  • Assists with development, writing, reviewing, and preparation of contracts, statements of work, work authorizations,
    amendments, supplements, forms, and related documents including spreadsheets and financial/statistical graphs and reports related to environmental studies
  • Prepares complex environmental related reports and technical analyses, illustrating data graphically and translating
    complex/technical information into written text.
  • Reviews, approves, and/or prepares complex environmental schedules, scopes of work, and deliverables for project
    delivery prepared by department staff and/or consultants for engineering and or scientific services contracts
  • Prepares technical studies, categorical exclusions, and environmental assessments to ensure compliance with applicable
    state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Consults and coordinates with districts project managers, planners, engineers, and environmental staff on refinement of
    projects to avoid and minimize environmental impacts.
  • Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public, and Department
    personnel related to environmental resources.
  • Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological,
    water, geological, socioeconomic, environmental justice, protected lands (Section 4(f), Section 6(f), and Chapter 26), and
    cultural (historic and archeological) resources
  • Reviews, maintains, and updates an automated project tracking system/database related to environmental projects and
    studies
  • Monitors and researches current and proposed relevant environmental technical studies, laws, regulations, policies, and
    procedures.
  • Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

  Environmental Project Planner III:

  • Develops, writes, revises, approves, and prepares contracts, statements of work, work authorizations, amendments,
    supplements, forms, and related documents including spreadsheets and financial/statistical graphs and reports related to
    environmental studies
  • Mentors and arranges for appropriate strategic planning and performance management education for department staff
    related to environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and issues
  • Prepares, reviews, and approves official guidance on environmental rules, regulations and public involvement procedures
  • Prepares technical studies, categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements to
    ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
  • Conducts and/or coordinates field surveys, assessments, and project investigations for incorporation into environmental
    technical studies and environmental documents
  • Consults and coordinates with districts project managers, planners, engineers, and environmental staff on refinement of
    projects to avoid and minimize environmental impacts.
  • Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public, and Department
    personnel related to environmental resources.
  • Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological, water, geological, socioeconomic, environmental justice, protected lands (Section 4(f), Section 6(f), and Chapter 26), and
    cultural (historic and archeological) resources.
  • Reviews, evaluates, monitors and/or approves consultant work related to environmental studies
  • Reviews, maintains, and updates an automated project tracking system/database related to environmental projects and
    studies.
  • Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

  !*!

  Environmental Project Planner I:

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

  Experience: No work experience required.

  Licenses and Certifications:

  • Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

  Environmental Project Planner II:

  Education: Bachelor's Degree any discipline. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

  Experience: 3 years environmental, planning, project management or other relevant experience (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

  Licenses and Certifications:

  • Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

  Environmental Project Planner III:

  Education: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

  Experience: 5 years environmental, planning, project management or other relevant experience (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

  Licenses and Certifications:

  • Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

  Competencies:

  Environmental Project Planner I:

  • Writing methodologies and strategies to develop and implement appropriate informational and educational materials
    related to environmental studies and activities
  • Environmental laws, regulations, and mitigation requirements
  • Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording
    meeting notes, record keeping and records management
  • Using computers, applications including (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat), or related applications and
    systems
  • Researching, analyzing, developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information
    specific to functional area
  • Developing, writing, and conducting presentations and speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise,
    organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding
  • Build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and coalitions and negotiating settlement of differences
    without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner
  • Manage, monitor, evaluate, and report on environmental programs and project activities
  • Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that
    support business objectives and goals
  • Shows initiative and action beyond what is required to improve products or services; is self-starting and completes
    assignments independently without constant supervision

  Environmental Project Planner II:

  • Environmental laws, regulations, and mitigation requirements
  • Construction, maintenance and operation of transportation facilities
  • Collecting, analyzing, and organizing business and technical data
  • Developing, writing, and conducting presentations and speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise,
    organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding.
  • Planning, leading, coordinating, monitoring, handling, and establishing goals and objectives for multiple environmental programs/projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long term deadlines
  • Administrative support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording
    meeting notes, record keeping and records management
  • Using computers, applications including (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat), or related applications and systems
  • Build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and coalitions and negotiating settlement of differences
    without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner
  • Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that
    support business objectives and goals
  • Shows initiative and action beyond what is required to improve products or services; is self-starting and completes
    assignments independently without constant supervision

  Environmental Project Planner III:

  • Environmental laws, regulations, and mitigation requirements.
  • Air quality, archeological resources, biological resources, community impacts, non-archeological historic resources,
    hazardous materials, or water resources management methods and procedures.
  • Collecting, 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
  • Researching, analyzing, developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information
    specific to functional area
  • Planning, leading, coordinating, monitoring, handling, and establishing goals and objectives for multiple environmental programs/projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long term deadlines
  • Using computers, applications including (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat), or related applications and
    systems
  • Build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and coalitions and negotiating settlement of differences
    without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner
  • Manage, monitor, evaluate, and report on environmental programs and project activities
  • Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that
    support business objectives and goals

  Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

  • Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
  • 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-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures

  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

• About the company

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

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