Environmental Manager

State of Indiana • Crawfordsville, IN

16d • Onsite

About The Position

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. The primary responsibility of an INDOT District Environmental Manager 2 (EM2) position is to aid delivery of INDOT’s Capital Program by ensuring project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The position manages projects through the various environmental aspects of the NEPA process by reviewing or preparing Categorical Exclusion (CE) level documents. The NEPA process ensures compliance with laws and regulations that address the natural, social, and historical environments, such as permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act, Section 7 requirements under the Endangered Species Act, Section 4(f) of the US Dept. of Transportation Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The position also prepares documents for compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for non-federally funded projects. The District EM2 reviews numerous consultant-prepared NEPA documents throughout the year, while also completing NEPA and SEPA documents for District-prepared projects. The EM2 works integrally with the project team to satisfy the environmental needs and schedules of assigned projects. They coordinate with several internal and external customers in various environmental capacities. Tasks required to complete NEPA and SEPA documents are project-specific and may include: Field investigations to document existing conditions, determine environmental impacts, and to prepare Waters of the US Reports; Preparation of GIS-based Red Flag Investigations using ArcGIS Pro; Conducting inspections for the presence of bats and collecting guano for analysis; Coordinating with various regulatory agencies, local officials, and affected property owners. The position requires strong analytical skills to review documents for compliance, identify deficiencies, and coordinate with consultants to achieve standards. Good communication, grammar, and writing skills are important in insuring documents balance the technical subject matter with comprehensibility by the public. Frequently used computer applications include ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Acrobat Pro, the MS Office suite of products, as well as numerous internal INDOT applications. The position requires effective time management and project management skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Approximately 10% to 20% of the workload consists of fieldwork, primarily in the spring and summer, which may require work in difficult terrain, with an occasional need to lift up to 50 pounds. Training for NEPA certification and wetland determinations will be provided, along with other professional development opportunities. The position reports full-time to the INDOT Crawfordsville District Office.

Requirements

• Broad knowledge of theories, environmental protection principles and practices, specialty area, and program area.
• Thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, mathematics, engineering, and other environmental sciences as they relate to program area.
• Thorough knowledge of soil, water, air sampling, laboratory analysis and interpretation as it relates to program area.
• Ability to conduct surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, read plans, interpret findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action.
• Excellent research and writing skills for preparing accurate, precise, clear, and thorough reports.
• Ability to effectively interact and orally communicate with parties with diverse levels of environmental expertise particularly for purposes of meetings, hearings, and negotiating critically sensitive issues.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal terminology and practices, and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations.
• At least five (5) years of environmental or environmental public health experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
• Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Training for NEPA certification and wetland determinations will be provided, along with other professional development opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an environmental expert and provides guidance to regulated communities, government officials, attorneys and staff responsible for a variety of programs and program elements.
• Performs project management duties to ensure effective and timely management of program area needs, attends meetings, and responds to telephone calls, e-mails, etc., as required.
• Acts as a technical point-of-contact for assigned programs administering environmental programs which may include, but not limited to, environmental media sampling, data analysis, technical writing, work plan and report preparation, technical reviews, etc.
• Researches state and federal guidance, laws, and regulations related to permits.
• Contacts applicants to request additional information to process applications, when necessary.
• Responds to comments from applicants, defends permit terms and conditions, and interacts with permittees to resolve permitting issues.
• Attends and participates in public meetings and hearings regarding permit actions throughout Indiana and/or appears in legal appeals of permit actions.
• Conducts surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, reads plans, interprets findings, and cites appropriate violations of state and federal regulations.
• Provides technical and regulatory guidance to the regulated community in their assigned geographic area.
• Uses all compliance, enforcement tools, and resources available to ensure that regulated sources return to compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards in a timely manner.
• Works to support the various programs in assigned agency in multiple capacities.
• Assists with the preparation of sampling and analysis work plans.
• Conducts field work as necessary following agency/section Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned sites.
• Conducts technical analysis and/or provides technical insights to assess environmental impacts with goals to meet state and national regulations.
• Communicates effectively with responsible parties, consultants, and/or their representatives, affected stakeholders, and interested parties such as citizens, public officials, and interest groups in a courteous and professional manner regarding permits, laws, questions, and program-related inquiries.
• Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at various sites depending on business needs.
• Employee reports to the agency’s office for occasional meetings or events.
• Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client’s or customer’s worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.
• This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work.
• Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed