Environmental Analyst III

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more. At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents. MassDEP’s Wetlands Program, within the Bureau of Water Resources, is seeking an environmental professional to join our team. The Wetlands Program administers the Wetlands Protection Act regulations (310 CMR 10.00) and §401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC) (314 CMR 9.00) regulations. As our new Environmental Analyst III (EAIII), you will work within the Highway Unit whose portfolio consists of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Division projects. To meet the challenges of ensuring a safe, reliable, and resilient public roadway system across the state, MassDOT looks to expedite highway and bridge infrastructure projects. MassDEP’s Highway Unit conducts regulatory review of MassDOT projects impacting wetlands and Chapter 91 Waterways (310 CMR 9.00) jurisdiction to ensure permitting is timely and complies with requirements for wetland resource protection and public trust rights. This position has two main areas of responsibility: Conduct project review, permitting, and compliance under the 401 WQC, Wetlands and Waterways (Chapter 91) regulations for the Unit’s portfolio of projects. Related tasks to support interagency coordination and expedite implementation of the MassDOT Highway Division construction program and compliance with other statutes and regulations for which MassDEP has responsibility, such as Requests for Superseding Orders, and Variances under the Wetlands Protection Act. This position is based in MassDEP's Boston Office; however, a hybrid schedule is available and field work and in-person meetings are expected.

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
• An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology,. natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
• A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.
• A Graduate degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.
• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated proficiency and experience with a broad range of issues related to implementation of the WPA and 401 WQC regulations, such as stormwater management compliance with the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards, bridge and culvert compliance with the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards, soils and plant identification, wetland and wildlife habitat assessment, riverfront area impact assessment and mitigation, erosion and sedimentation control, and wetlands and stream mitigation.
• Demonstrated experience with construction period erosion and sedimentation control and runoff and stabilization practices.
• Direct experience with all phases of analyzing WPA and 401 WQC regulatory environmental compliance for large construction projects is desirable.
• Experience with analyzing environmental compliance for bridge replacement, multi-lane highway widening, shared use path, and other major linear infrastructure construction project experience is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of MEPA as it pertains to alternative analyses and project development is desirable.
• Familiarity with other statutes, regulations, case implementation, and environmental review processes related to wetlands protection and river/coastal processes preferred.
• Experience with analyzing environmental compliance for all phases of wetland replacement/mitigation preferred.
• Solid written/oral communication skills including preparation of regulatory documents, technical reports, and presentations.
• Ability to analyze complex information, draw conclusions, and summarize effectively for different audiences.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and on-line communication and collaboration platforms (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.)
• ArcMap/MassGIS familiarity preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for assistance with analysis, permitting, and compliance of state-wide MassDOT Highway projects including WPA and 401 WQC permits throughout all phases of design and construction.
• Assist with review and analysis of applications and draft submittals, and issuance of permits under the WPA and 401 WQC regulations and other laws in accordance with timeframes specified in the Interagency Service Agreement (ISA) between MassDEP and MassDOT.
• Assist with review and analysis of projects to ensure the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards in the Wetlands Regulations, 310 CMR 10.00 and 401 WQC regulations at 314 CMR 9.00, are met, including during construction and post-construction period timeframes.
• Review of projects to ensure compliance with the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards for protection of wetlands resources under the Wetlands Regulations, 310 CMR 10.00 and 401 WQC regulations, 314 CMR 9.00.
• Perform on-site inspections of construction projects in each MassDOT District to verify compliance with WPA and/or 401 WQC permit conditions including Construction Period Pollution Prevention Plans (CP4s).
• Assist with review of requests for and issuance of permit amendments/modifications, as appropriate, in compliance with the required ISA timelines.
• Other duties, as assigned, to support project review, permitting, and compliance for MassDOT Highway portfolio.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees