Environmental Permitting and Approvals Specialist - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington•King County - Seattle – Belltown, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking an Environmental Permitting and Approvals Specialist (EPAS) to support environmentally responsible project delivery across the Washington State Ferries (WSF) system, with a primary focus on the Ferry System Electrification Program. This position is critical in helping WSF advance safe, reliable, and sustainable ferry operations by leading environmental permitting and regulatory coordination efforts for complex infrastructure and maintenance projects. The EPAS will work closely with project teams, regulatory agencies, tribes, and community partners to ensure projects comply with environmental requirements while supporting WSF’s long-term operational and sustainability goals. This role directly contributes to WSF’s mission of providing dependable public transportation service while protecting Washington’s natural resources and strengthening the future of the state ferry system.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to independently lead environmental permitting and approvals efforts for transportation, infrastructure, or marine construction projects, managing the full permitting lifecycle and delivering required permits and approvals on schedule.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and permitting processes applicable to development and operation of transportation facilities in marine waters.
Demonstrated familiarity with key federal permits and approvals including NEPA, ESA, CWA Section 401, CWA Section 404, Rivers and Harbors Section 10, and CZMA.
Demonstrated familiarity with key state permits and approvals including SMA, SEPA, HPA, and DNR Aquatic Lands Use Authorization.
Demonstrated familiarity with key local permits including shoreline permits and exemptions, noise variances, critical areas ordinance permits, and floodplain development permits.
Foundational understanding of marine ecology relevant to environmental permitting in Puget Sound contexts, including knowledge of eelgrass, marine mammals, endangered fish species, sediment impacts, and mitigation approaches.
Understanding of marine construction, terminal operations, and marine facility operations sufficient to identify and address environmental compliance issues.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary project delivery teams, regulatory agencies including USACE, NOAA, USFWS, WDFW, Ecology, and DNR, tribal staff, and community stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive regulatory relationships, navigate multi-agency coordination processes, and represent the agency credibly in external meetings and at public hearings.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing, verbally, and through presentations to a variety of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to prepare technically sound permit applications, biological assessments, environmental compliance documentation, and correspondence that meets regulatory standards.
Demonstrated ability to independently determine environmental compliance status, identify and evaluate solutions to complex environmental problems, and exercise sound judgment in high-stakes, time-sensitive project environments.
Able to distinguish issues that can be resolved independently from those requiring supervisory input or management approval.
Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
Working knowledge of NEPA and SEPA processes and document preparation, including HEAL Act (Environmental Justice), Section 4(f)/6(f) of the U.S. DOT Act, and Section 106 of the NHPA.
Working knowledge of hazardous materials identification, documentation, and reporting.
Ability to travel between work sites throughout the greater Puget Sound region.
Ability to safely conduct fieldwork in all seasons and in irregular terrain or on vessels and floating structures.

Nice To Haves

Experience involving environmental permitting for electrification, energy infrastructure, or utility-related projects, particularly in a marine or waterfront context.
Experience working independently to deliver NEPA and SEPA environmental documentation, and permit application packages, and ensuring compliance with commitments through design and into maintenance.
Experience coordinating environmental compliance across multi-agency regulatory frameworks, particularly in Puget Sound or similar marine environments.
Experience supporting projects via design-bid-build and/or design-build contracting methods.
Experience implementing Chapter 47.85 RCW, Transportation Project Delivery and Review.
Familiarity with WSF operations, terminal facilities, or ferry electrification programs.

Responsibilities

Lead environmental permitting and approvals for Ferry System Electrification Program projects, including charging infrastructure, electrical upgrades, and terminal modifications.
Manage NEPA/SEPA environmental reviews and permitting efforts from project scoping through design and maintenance while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Prepare permit applications, technical documentation, and regulatory correspondence; negotiate permit conditions and secure approvals.
Review project plans and specifications for compliance with environmental commitments and permit requirements; resolve identified issues with project teams.
Identify and address complex environmental compliance issues, including reporting, documentation, and coordination with regulators and project teams.
Coordinate with agencies, tribes, stakeholders, consultants, and environmental staff to support project delivery and regulatory compliance.
Manage and review consultant and staff work products to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to project timelines and regulatory standards.
Develop environmental guidance and procedures, support continuous improvement initiatives, and represent WSF in external meetings and interagency coordination.
Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.