Environmental Licensing Specialist II

State of Maine•Portland, ME

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Land Resources, has a vacancy for an Environmental Licensing Specialist II in Portland, Maine. Guided by overlapping elements of environmental policy and environmental protection, the successful candidate will review development proposals and evaluate whether a project will comply with Maine’s environmental protection laws and regulations. This role involves drafting permitting decisions, recommending either approval or denial of permit applications, and determining necessary changes to meet approval criteria. The specialist will work directly with applicants, consulting teams, and occasionally the general public, participating in pre-application and pre-submission meetings to provide regulatory guidance. They will also lead coordination with other State natural resource agencies to identify and assess potential environmental impacts, meet with federal and municipal officials, and conduct site visits. The position offers decreasing oversight with experience and opportunities to participate in public meetings, public hearings, and administrative appeals before the Board of Environmental Protection. Remote work opportunities are available with management approval and adherence to the DEP Telework Policy.

Requirements

Intermediate education, training and/or experience in environmental science or a related scientific field demonstrating a seasoned ability to analyze and process permits, applications, licenses, and technical information
Demonstrated directly related experience working with environmental laws, rules, regulations, and complex technical evaluations in a scientific and/or legal field

Nice To Haves

Experience with caseload oversight
Education that emphasizes concepts and techniques involved in natural resources protection and/or management
Strong analytical and writing skills
Experience with or knowledge of environmental regulatory programs at the federal, state, and local level, particularly Maine’s Site Location of Development Law, Natural Resources Protection Act, and Stormwater Management Law
Demonstrated interest in the implementation of environmental policy
GIS/database management/other computer skills
Experience in interpersonal relationships and/or customer service in a fast-paced work environment

Responsibilities

Review development proposals
Evaluate whether a project will comply with Maine’s environmental protection laws and regulations
Draft permitting decisions, recommending either approval or denial of permit applications
Determine when changes are needed to meet approval criteria
Work directly with an applicant and/or their consulting team(s) and on occasion with the general public
Participate in pre-application and pre-submission meetings to provide regulatory guidance
Lead coordination with other State natural resource agencies to identify and assess potential environmental impacts of proposed developments
Meet with federal and municipal officials reviewing the same projects
Conduct site visits
Participate in public meetings, public hearings, and administrative appeals before the Board of Environmental Protection

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave annually
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Personal leave (for overtime-exempt employees)
Health Insurance Coverage (State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums, $11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value)
Health Insurance Premium Credit (decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
Dental Insurance (State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums, $365.28 annual value)
Retirement Plan (State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS))
Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
Parental leave (42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child, including fathers and adoptive parents)
Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act
Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)
Additional wellness benefits