Environmental Specialist 2 (NYHELPS)

State of New York•Albany, NY

37d•$86,681 - $109,650

About The Position

This position will be filled in the Environmental Science Bureau within the Office of Environment. Under the direct supervision of an Environmental Specialist 3, the incumbent will be responsible for the duties as described in the Department of Civil Service Classification Standard for an Environmental Specialist 2 (ES2). Within the Environmental Science Bureau, the following are core duties of the ES2. The ES2 will: Act as a Subject Matter Expert in one or more topics by providing technical assistance to regional and other NYSDOT staff, local project sponsors, and consultants on the assigned subject matter(s); Supervise one or more departmental staff assigned to the same or other subject matter issues; they may also direct or supervise consultant staff, seasonal staff or interns. Work with other staff and agency partners to interpret federal and state regulatory requirements and develop/update statewide policies, guidelines, and procedures for assigned topics. Develop and deliver training on their subject matter expertise. Participate in project-specific work, as needed, including drafting or performing quality assurance reviews of environmental impact statements, environmental assessments and other environmental documents, reports, and studies. Represent the department with State and federal advisory and regulatory agencies for their subject matter on programmatic issues, and, if needed, for specific project and programs. Provide technical expertise to the Bureau, Office, and other Offices on environmental matters related to a wide variety of transportation projects and initiatives. Evaluate and approve new techniques or methodologies associated with their subject matter and may recommend for more applicable techniques when appropriate. More specifically, it is anticipated that the primary duties and subject matters to be covered by the successful candidate will be: Acting as subject matter expert (SME) for topics including Air Quality Conformity, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), energy, and other topics as needed. o Performing, or supervising staff /directing others in: o Air quality and energy related modeling and other tasks for program level or project level analysis, and o Other topics as needed. Acting as the primary point of contact and liaison for NYSDOT with state and federal advisory and regulatory agencies and groups regarding these subjects specifically including the New York State Interagency Consultation Group for Air Quality Conformity. Working with the offices of Planning and Sustainability on issues related to greenhouse gas emissions, Green NY annual reporting, and other activities related to the modeling, interpretation of modeling and guidance related to these topics. Assisting regional and other NYSDOT staff, local project sponsors, and consultants on assigned environmental topics including: o identification of appropriate air quality scopes of services and tasks for projects, o reviewing consultant products for project level air quality tasks, o providing oversight and leadership on questions related to project level Air Quality Conformity, and o providing review and assistance related to NYSDOT oversight on CMAQ projects and CMAQ reporting. Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree and three years of professional experience in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures and standards, which includes the preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters, providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules, and regulations or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.
A Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Responsibilities

Act as a Subject Matter Expert in one or more topics by providing technical assistance to regional and other NYSDOT staff, local project sponsors, and consultants on the assigned subject matter(s)
Supervise one or more departmental staff assigned to the same or other subject matter issues; they may also direct or supervise consultant staff, seasonal staff or interns.
Work with other staff and agency partners to interpret federal and state regulatory requirements and develop/update statewide policies, guidelines, and procedures for assigned topics.
Develop and deliver training on their subject matter expertise.
Participate in project-specific work, as needed, including drafting or performing quality assurance reviews of environmental impact statements, environmental assessments and other environmental documents, reports, and studies.
Represent the department with State and federal advisory and regulatory agencies for their subject matter on programmatic issues, and, if needed, for specific project and programs.
Provide technical expertise to the Bureau, Office, and other Offices on environmental matters related to a wide variety of transportation projects and initiatives.
Evaluate and approve new techniques or methodologies associated with their subject matter and may recommend for more applicable techniques when appropriate.
Acting as subject matter expert (SME) for topics including Air Quality Conformity, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), energy, and other topics as needed.
Performing, or supervising staff /directing others in air quality and energy related modeling and other tasks for program level or project level analysis
Acting as the primary point of contact and liaison for NYSDOT with state and federal advisory and regulatory agencies and groups regarding these subjects specifically including the New York State Interagency Consultation Group for Air Quality Conformity.
Working with the offices of Planning and Sustainability on issues related to greenhouse gas emissions, Green NY annual reporting, and other activities related to the modeling, interpretation of modeling and guidance related to these topics.
Assisting regional and other NYSDOT staff, local project sponsors, and consultants on assigned environmental topics including identification of appropriate air quality scopes of services and tasks for projects, reviewing consultant products for project level air quality tasks, providing oversight and leadership on questions related to project level Air Quality Conformity, and providing review and assistance related to NYSDOT oversight on CMAQ projects and CMAQ reporting.
Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.