SALARY: $‎75k – $115k

GENERAL PURPOSE:  

Under general direction, the Senior Environmental Planner performs a variety of senior professional level environmental planning functions and analysis in assigned functional areas, manages and ensures environmental compliance for Sound Transit projects related to project development, design, construction and operations; ensures compliance with all federal, state and local environmental regulations, local critical areas ordinances and other related regulations; manages preparation of complex and controversial environmental documents and obtains environmental approvals; maintains effective working relationships with other agencies and Sound Transit partners including the Washington Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the US Army Corps of Engineers, and local jurisdictions; provides strategic advice and support to agency staff and managers on environmental compliance issues; manages the environmental permitting process and coordinates directly with permitting authorities; and ensures compliance and implementation of environmental mitigation measures and permit commitments by other departments and third parties. Mentors and advises environmental staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provides environmental compliance support services for Agency Operations, Property Management, and/or Design, Engineering and Construction Management (DECM) capital project construction sites. 
• Conducts routine facility and/or construction site inspections to monitor compliance with regulations and permits.
• Provides strategic technical oversight support to the Agency for spill preparedness and response programs.
• Manages consultants and consultant contracts (including on-call contracts) for environmental services; procures consultant; develops and manages scopes, schedules, and budgets; oversees contracts and assures contract compliance on assigned projects; develops recommendations on consultant services and other project needs, advises project managers of project conflicts and proposes resolution; contracts management includes reviewing and approving invoices; secures contract change orders as required; and coordinates communications among agency staff and contractor.
• Manages preparation and completion of environmental due diligence documentation for a variety of Sound Transit projects for Sounder Commuter Rail, Bus Regional Express, and Link Light Rail to ensure that the Agency complies with local, state and federal environmental regulations including the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Cleanup and Liability Act (CERCLA); coordinates with agency project managers, other agency staff, consultants and other groups to initiate and complete work; ensures the environmental due diligence investigations and documentation and processes meet legal requirements; participates in public outreach activities with ability to communicate technical information to laypersons.
• Evaluates proposed agency actions and reviews actions by other agencies affecting Sound Transit facilities and determines the need and level of appropriate environmental review and documentation for compliance with CERCLA and MTCA.
• Ensures implementation of environmental remediation commitments based on environmental review; reviews contract documents (drawings and specifications) to ensure project is complying with environmental commitments, coordinates with project managers and other agencies and local jurisdictions.
• Evaluates proposed agency actions and reviews actions by other agencies affecting Sound Transit facilities and determines the need and level of appropriate environmental review and documentation for compliance with stormwater and wastewater regulations and RCRA. Interprets environmental regulatory and technical information, laws, and guidelines; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; coordinates with regulatory agency staff regarding environmental compliance issues; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with current state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, Agency policies and procedures.
• Ensures implementation of environmental compliance and mitigation commitments based on environmental review; reviews contract documents (drawings and specifications) to ensure project is complying with environmental commitments, coordinates with project managers and other agencies and local jurisdictions.
• Identifies opportunities for the agency to integrate sustainability principles into local, state and federal environmental documentation and planning processes. 
• Manages NPDES permitting and approvals for Sound Transit projects beginning with critical input during project development; coordinates with, resolves issues, and provides necessary information to federal, state, and local agencies and officials granting environmental permits and approvals; conducts environmental review of project plans and contract specifications to ensure permit requirements have been adequately incorporated and coordinates plan and specification review by other environmental specialty staff as needed; Interfaces with impacted Sound Transit Constructions or Operations staff to provide strategic advice on implementation.
• Supports natural resource (wetlands, water resources, wildlife and habitat) mitigation strategies for assigned Sound Transit Projects; identifies mitigation opportunities and needs for all projects; tracks changes to mitigation regulations; negotiates with federal, state, and local agencies on project mitigation requirements; manages consultant assistance with mitigation site development and design; collaborates with environmental staff during natural resource mitigation site selection and assists in developing scope, schedule and budget for final natural resource mitigation design package. 
• Performs routine site visits to construction sites to ensure the project is being implemented according to the permits and best management practices.
• Engages with Sound Transit’s Environmental Sustainability Management System (ESMS), which may entail participation through the Steering Committee or other technical working groups; researches and assists in the management of the various ESMS initiatives; develops and helps to achieve annual sustainability targets and helps to educate staff about the ESMS.
• Provides support to the Office/Department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelors Degree in environmental studies, urban planning, environmental engineering, science, biology, or closely related field, a Masters degree is highly desirable. Four years of experience in area of assignment which may include but is not limited to environmental compliance during operations, environmental due diligence, environmental compliance during construction, and natural resource permitting and identification, preferably in the transit industry and/or in public sector agencies; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Required Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

Certification as Professional Engineer, Ecologist, Hydrogeologist, or Hazardous Materials Manager, or Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Environmental laws and regulations and practices related to compliance and contaminated properties 
• Environmental management and policy. 
• Operations, services and activities of an environmental compliance program.
• State and federal environmental laws, regulations, and industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues most relevant in transportation such as compliance with NEPA, SEPA, NPDES, RCRA, Section 404 and 401 of the CWA, MTCA, PLIA, and air quality conformity.
• Current trends and professional literature in the area of environmental compliance and due diligence.
• Environmental regulations and permit requirements including storm and waste water discharge permits, construction best management practices, sensitive areas permits, mitigation commitments, and remedial action plans. 
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports. 
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department and agency staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, agency staff, and the general public. 
• Interpreting and applying principles and practices of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues.
• Communicating environmental and technical issues to the public in community outreach settings.
• Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions.
• Resolving a variety of environmental issues.
• Contract management and administration.
• Preparing and reviewing consultant scopes, budget and schedules.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Responding to inquiries in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and on active construction sites.
• Some (limited) response to off-hours environmental incidents such as spills will be required.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds; depending on area of assignment, may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, hazardous chemicals, and extreme noise when working in the field conducting site visits. 
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 
• Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Required

Driver’s License

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)