Senior NEPA Reviewer

About the Indiana Department of Transportation

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state's quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you.

Role Overview

As a member of the Document Review Unit of the Environmental Policy Section with INDOT, employee is responsible for the timely and thorough review of the environmental review documents prepared for the projects to which they are assigned. Employee is often assigned tasks involving the review of various levels and types of environmental documents generally within an abbreviated time period. Employee is also, on a regular basis, assigned numerous other mission related tasks that are necessary for the efficient functioning of the Environmental Policy Office and the Environmental Services Division (ESD).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews all levels and types of environmental documents that have been prepared by others so that they may receive the approval of the appropriate authority. Those documents will have been prepared so that they are of high quality in both content and format by following the INDOT manual standards, standard operating procedures and any applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides response to NEPA-related inquiries from district environmental staff, consultants, and other agency staff (i.e. project managers, engineers, designers, etc.).
• Subject matter expert for one or more of the following areas: staff training; traffic noise assessments; public involvement; 4(f) and 6(f); purpose and need, and alternatives analysis; manages specialized interdivision coordination for excess parcels; procedural and CE manuals, and guidance change processes; air quality conformity and MSATs; STIP, TIP, MPOs, and planning; PEL studies; Section 7 consultation; waters of the state, ecological and natural resources; community impacts and protected classes, and Section 106.
• Provides technical assistance and consultation to engineers, government officials, environmental specialists, LPA's and private firms regarding laws, regulations, practices and procedures for the Environmental Policy Program.
• Collaborates with the team lead and senior environmental documentation specialist on emerging issues including changes to laws, regulations, and policy as pertaining to the NEPA program.
• Participates two or more times a year in the office's training efforts, involving the presentation of information and the answering of questions pertaining to assigned topics in a workshop that is attended by other INDOT personnel, contract consultants, LPAs and LPA consultants as well as other State and Federal agency personnel.
• Maintains positive relationships with consultant document preparers, and evaluates the performance of those prepares for documents submitted to the agency.
• Participates in the annual Quality Assurance Review (QAR) review process to ensure that the quality of the environmental documents prepared for INDOT and LPA projects are of a quality that satisfies the requirements of the INDOT manuals, standard specifications and any other applicable laws and regulations.
• Serves as an agency representative in meetings with resource agencies, at public meetings, on committees and at conferences. This includes speaking to a variety of audiences in a variety of formats.
• Prepares environmental documents for a limited number of projects (i.e. non-construction projects, excess parcels, etc.).
• Works with FHWA partners to ensure the compliance with interagency agreements (i.e. CEPA, 4(f), etc.).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Location

This position is with INDOT's Central Office in Indianapolis.

Salary

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

A Day in the Life

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Interprets laws, regulations and guidelines for assigned environmental program areas.
• Develops and modifies existing state programs to adapt to changes in federal or state legislation-mandated policy changes.
• Coordinates review of environmental projects and/or program area to meet program needs and objectives.
• Maintains a tracking system to ensure that projects are currently working through the appropriate program processes in acceptable timeframes.
• Prepares and provides a variety of written communications including responses to letters of inquiry from concerned citizens, elected representatives, government officials, and regulated entities.
• Chairs or facilitates a variety of work-related committees as needed.
• Utilizes programs and electronic database systems to meet program area needs. Serves as a subject matter expert on applicable systems in program area.
• Researches, analyzes, and reports on priority projects and their progress.
• May perform audits on environmental programs or facilities and make recommendations for corrective action or improvements.
• Provides technical assistance and/or evaluates compliance to environmental regulations and programs.
• Coordinates review of requests for variance and exemptions from environmental program regulations.
• Reviews program plans for completeness, economic and technical feasibility, and environmental impact.
• Designs and directs projects regarding specific and complex environmental issues, providing technical expertise for analysis, interpretation, and logistics of projects.
• Prepares progress reports for management and senior leadership and provides consultation to management and staff.
• Reviews and evaluates technical work reports and supporting data for acceptability and conformance with federal requirements, laws and regulations, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Assigns and reviews work of lower-level staff members.

What You'll Need for Success

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Extensive knowledge of theories, practices and principles of Environmental Management and related areas.
• Thorough knowledge of theories, practices, and principals of physical sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) as they relate to program area.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations as they apply to program area and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations.
• Ability to conduct surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, read plans, interpret findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to establish long- and short-term project management goals and objectives.
• Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action.
• Ability to effectively interact with local, state, and federal groups and government representatives orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare accurate and thorough reports.
• Ability to develop and define procedures and accomplish objectives within the appropriate and established deadlines.
• Ability to interpret and implement public policy as it relates to program specific environmental rules or laws.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, or a related field with at least 6 years of work experience in an environmental or environmental public health field recommended. Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
• Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers; Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave; Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off; 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access