Environmental Analyst

New York State Housing Finance Agency•Town of Guilderland, NY

About The Position

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State. A Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered. NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce that represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency. The Office of Multi-family Finance & Development manages HCR's multi-family and single-family housing programs and bond offerings. HCR has been the most active housing bond issuer in the country over the past four years, funding initiatives ranging in scope from mixed income rental developments to single family mortgages. The Office actively engages with a range of partners including for-profit and not for profit borrowers, municipalities, lenders, investors and other funding entities to leverage the State's Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax exempt bonds, single family lending programs, and State funded programs. The Office is also responsible for implementing many of the initiatives under the State’s unprecedented 5-year, $20 billion Homelessness and Housing Plan to create or preserve more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 supportive homes for New Yorkers. HCR’s Design, Construction & Environmental Unit is responsible for the architectural, environmental, and construction oversight of projects funded through various HCR financing program. This oversight involves environmental and architectural reviews of projects seeking funding from, and subsequently funded by HCR, as well as the implementation of HCR Design Guidelines to ensure affordable housing projects financed by HCR address appropriate standards of safety, functionality, efficiency, and durability. In addition, the unit provides support to projects that make capital improvements within HCR’s Office of Housing Preservation portfolio. The unit also monitors construction to ensure that all construction schedules and approved plans are properly executed on funded projects. Job Description: Under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Environmental Analyst and/or the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the environmental review of projects granted funding under by the Office of Finance & Development. The incumbent analyzes and responds to information submitted in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the (New York) City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), the Flood Plain Management Criteria, and the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Review. The incumbent researches problem issues and develops possible resolutions, monitors compliance between HCR and the Department of Housing and Urban Renewal (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Coastal Zone Commission, Local Program Administrators, and other Federal and State agencies as necessary. Under the direction of the Supervisor, the incumbent serves as a resource on environmental issues for HCR staff and provides technical assistance.

Requirements

Must have a bachelor’s or higher-level degree in an environmental field of study, such as environmental engineering, environmental science, geology, and environmental planning, environmental studies, environmental law, natural science or land use planning.
Must have two years of experience in a position having substantial relationship to environmental analysis, meaning preparing and/or reviewing environmental impact statements or assessments; or providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and/or field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs such as water quality, wetlands and/or site remediation.

Responsibilities

Review HFA (and HTF as work levels demand) funded projects, analyzing, evaluating and administering compliance with SEQR/SHPO/NEPA requirements.
Conducts comprehensive reviews of funded projects and programs including site visit reports, SEQR Short Environmental Assessment Form, SHPO review, Floodplain Management Criteria, and, as needed, NEPA review, CEQR review and Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Review.
Reviews and evaluates Environmental Assessment and Statutory checklists and/or Environmental Impact Statements for specified categories of projects.
Identifies and addresses regulatory thresholds, compliance issues and submission requirements, conducting research and proposing alternative solutions to problem issues for supervisory review and approval.
Prepares appropriate documents for supervisory review and assists in coordinating actions among HCR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Coastal Zone Commission.
Responds to problem issues interacting with Federal and State agencies, HCR staff and grantees, providing background information and proposed resolutions to supervisor.
Under supervisory review, drafts statutorily required public notices, reviews responses and provides background information for HCR response.
Prepares funding commitment letter to grantees outlining conditions to be met and completes related letters and documentation for HCR, HUD and other Federal and State agencies as needed.
Provides on-going technical assistance and compliance monitoring of approved projects.
Performs digital mapping and documentation on available software.
Assists the supervisor in maintaining and updating a resource library of materials relating to Federal and State environmental regulations, review requirements and background information.
Assists the supervisor in maintaining an environmental procedures manual, drafting revisions to reflect changes in regulation and review requirements.
Assists the supervisor in preparing and delivering technical assistance programs for HCR staff, LPAs, grantees and applicants.

Benefits

Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits [https://www.osc.state.ny.us/retirement] with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals
Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays
Opportunity for compressed scheduling
12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
Paid Family Leave
Opportunity for compressed/flextime scheduling
As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program [https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service] (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan [https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-repayment-plans] and while working full-time for an eligible [https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-employment] employer.
Cash in for Wellness! This program provides you with the option of buying or renewing a health club membership of your choice or enrolling in a weight loss and or smoking cessation program, using your sick leave accruals.
Tuition reimbursement program – for job related and non-job related courses
Vacation Leave Buy-Back program – Subject to approval, every year eligible employees may exchange previously earned and accrued vacation time in return for cash compensation (at employee’s daily rate of pay at time of exchange)
Access to Plum Benefits – savings on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, tours, Broadway shows and more!
Optical reimbursement program – Employees are eligible for optical, hearing aid, and podiatric expenses not otherwise covered by insurance, with a maximum aggregate amount of $675 per year, per family. Unused yearly balances may be carried over to the next year for a maximum of $1350