Senior Environmental Specialist - NEPA

GSI Service Group, Inc.•Washington, DC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Environmental Specialist is based in Washington, D.C., in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Chief Counsel, Environmental Analysis and Compliance Division (EACD). Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Federal Program Lead, the position provides technical and operational support for environmental and hazardous materials programs and projects, particularly the agency’s Rulemaking and Special Permits programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CE) review process. The role supports compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), related environmental laws, Executive Orders, and Department of Transportation policies. It involves technical data analysis, verification of environmental review completeness, and drafting regulatory compliance documentation. The specialist serves as a technical advisor, individually and with agency experts, helping develop, interpret, and implement environmental considerations in PHMSA decisions concerning pipeline safety and hazardous materials safety policies, procedures, and criteria. The position may advise on safety rulemakings and special permits, participate in environmental reviews of grant proposals, support NEPA procedures, and respond to other environmental policy questions. The specialist performs complex environmental project work and prepares draft deliverables and analyses for review by the Program Lead.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline; a relevant master’s degree may be considered equivalent to two years of general experience.
At least 10 years of total professional work experience.
At least 6 years of experience providing technical guidance or project support on large environmental and/or hazardous materials projects.
Six to eight years of experience preparing NEPA documentation, conducting environmental analyses, and coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies.
Proven experience with NEPA compliance strategy and permitting; special permits, grants, and rulemaking; Environmental Assessments (EAs); Environmental Impact Statements (EISs); and Categorical Exclusions (CEs).
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data filtering.
Exceptional, proactive verbal and written communication skills.
Strong attention to technical detail and data-validation integrity.

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).
Experience with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil pipelines.

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 by formatting, removing duplicate entries, and sorting records for accurate tracking.
Conduct initial technical screening and categorize new and modified special permits into appropriate CE subparts.
Routinely maintain and update the programmatic master compliance tracking list, accurately tracking 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 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.
Provide policy guidance, consultative assistance, and staff coordination on environmental issues related to rulemakings, special permits or approvals, grant proposals, NEPA compliance procedures, and other environmental policy questions.
Provide technical input on environmental considerations in PHMSA decision-making related to pipeline and hazardous materials safety policies, procedures, and criteria.