Environmental Specialist

GSI Service Group, Inc.

54d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in Washington, D.C., within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Chief Counsel (PHC), Environmental Analysis and Compliance Division (EACD). The division provides policy direction and guidance to PHMSA offices on the agency’s responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), related environmental laws, executive orders, and Department of Transportation policies. The Environmental Specialist provides technical and operational support for Environmental and Hazardous Materials programs and projects, ensuring work complies with applicable regulations, guidance, and client requirements. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Federal Program Lead, the Specialist supports the Rulemakings and Special Permits Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CE) review process. Work includes technical data analysis, checking environmental review completeness, and drafting regulatory compliance documentation. The position serves as a technical advisor, individually and with agency experts, contributing environmental considerations to PHMSA decision-making on pipeline safety and hazardous materials policies, procedures, and criteria. It also provides policy guidance, consultative assistance, and coordination related to rulemakings, special permits and approvals, grant proposal reviews, NEPA compliance procedures, and ad hoc environmental policy matters.

Requirements

At least five years of total professional work experience.
At least three years of experience providing technical guidance or project support on Environmental and/or Hazardous Materials projects.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including comfort with data filtering.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience or foundational training with the NEPA framework is highly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Prior professional support experience for federal agencies, such as the Department of Transportation or Department of Defense.
A related professional certificate or license, such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (PE), or Professional Geologist (PG); preferred but not required.
A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be considered equivalent to two years of general experience.

Responsibilities

Provide technical direction and execute environmental projects of considerable size, scope, or complexity under the Program Lead’s guidance.
Ensure programmatic tasks comply with NEPA requirements and associated agency regulations.
Acquire data weekly from client portal systems using database search parameters and disposition and status filters to identify active permit records.
Manage exported datasets, including formatting, removing duplicate entries, and sorting data for accurate tracking.
Conduct initial technical screenings and categorize new and modified special permits into the appropriate categorical exclusion subparts.
Maintain and routinely update the programmatic master compliance tracking list, including revision history for modified permits.
Compile weekly data into standardized monthly packages and assist in drafting the initial programmatic Monthly CE Memo template for regulatory reviews.
Prepare technically sound and complete draft products and analysis sheets to support division quality assurance and quality control workflows before Program Lead review.
Participate in programmatic coordination meetings and cross-team calls with external technical support contractors and program office stakeholders; document notes, milestones, and action items.
Advise on rulemakings to establish or revise pipeline and hazardous materials safety regulations.
Advise on potential environmental impacts of special permits or approvals that waive existing regulatory requirements.
Participate in environmental reviews for grant proposals and help implement NEPA compliance procedures.
Provide consultative assistance and staff coordination on environmental policy questions.