Sr. Manager of Environmental Permitting & Sustainability

BNSF Railway•Fort Worth, TX

3d•$122,310 - $135,900

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Environmental Permitting & Sustainability will serve as BNSF’s subject-matter-expert managing the environmental permitting activities for construction and expansion projects across the BNSF Network. Primary permitting focus areas for these projects includes, but is not limited to, US Army Corps wetlands and waterway permits, Section 106, Floodplain Development, US Coast Guard, endangered species consultation and protection. This role will collaborate across BNSF’s operations, with a focus on supporting our Engineering Services, Signals/Telecom, and Environmental Operations Teams, to implement environmental permitting process flows to reduce permitting time and impact, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance during these projects. The Senior Manager will serve as BNSF’s: Subject Matter Expert, for BNSF’s Permitting Program, providing permitting guidance to our Engineering, Operations, and Economic Development partners, and external environmental permitting consultants. Advocate and Co-Lead, for BNSF’s Permitting Center of Excellence to proactively guide construction and expansion permitting/restoration projects and assure compliance with environmental conditions placed on permits by regulatory agencies, limiting possible legal liability. Champion, to continuously improve and incorporate Sustainable Development principles and practices into BNSF’s engineering construction and land development efforts, leveraging the sustainability advantages of rail to support growth. Creator, of permitting principes and best practices that include our Sustainable Development Playbook to avoid/minimize overall environmental impact, reduce permitting timelines, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Collaborator, with federal and state environmental permitting agency partners, community and tribal representatives, and internal BNSF and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Engineering, Environmental Science or related field required.
7+ years of experience, particularly with environmental permitting or structures engineering.
Must have excellent interpersonal skills, to quickly build partnerships and forge trust with environmental staff, other BNSF departments, external consultants and contractors, and government agencies.
Extensive and demonstrated knowledge of federal and state environmental permitting regulations, inclusive of but not limited to:
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Section 404 permitting program and related permits.
Other clearances and permits and the laws requiring them (e.g., Endangered Species Act – Section 7, Flood Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act – Section 106).

Nice To Haves

Master of Science or Master of Engineering, Environmental Science or related field preferred.
Experience with the following is beneficial, but not required:
State permitting regulations (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act – CEQA, and Washington State Environmental Policy Act – SEPA)
Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act's (ICCTA) preemption clause and STB and federal court decisions regarding that clause, and general environmental issues.
Familiarity with sustainable development standards (e.g., ENVISION, LEED, etc.) as well as railroad engineering/construction standards and operations and capacity planning, a plus.
Independent, motivated individual with a basis for collaboration and action.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent computer skills (e.g., MS Office, GIS, Salesforce, Enablon/EMIS, etc.).

Responsibilities

Managing BNSF’s environmental permitting portfolio and collaborating across our operations teams, focused on federal and state environmental permitting regulations, inclusive of but not limited to:
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Section 404 permitting programs and related permits.
Other clearances and permits and the laws requiring them (e.g., Endangered Species Act – Section 7, Flood Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act – Section 106).
State permitting regulations (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act – CEQA, and Washington State Environmental Policy Act – SEPA)
Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act's (ICCTA) preemption clause and STB and federal court decisions regarding that clause, and general environmental issues.
Communicating directly and clearly to multiple teams on the status of permit applications, project permit requirements, project timelines, and related compliance accountabilities.
Assuring compliance with environmental conditions placed on permits and associated restoration activities by regulatory agencies, and ensuring timely closeout of permits, minimizing cost and resources by unnecessarily keeping permits open.
Supporting and continually improving BNSF’s environmental permit tracking and scheduling program/systems to ensure that: (1) BNSF knows how many permits are currently open or have been applied for at any time; (2) Permits do not expire accidentally; (3) Permit conditions are complied with, limiting possible legal liability, and (4) Permit delays are proactively identified and resolved.
Supporting development of training materials and participating in outreach activities to diverse internal and external audiences concerning BNSF’s environmental permitting program and related sustainable practices.
Serving as an internal BNSF subject-matter-expert for Environmental Permitting, monitoring emerging regulations, trends, programs, and issues.
Co-managing key relationships with environmental agencies, external community representatives, and other stakeholders.

Benefits

An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.
A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options.
Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost.
Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match).
Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services and wellness support.
Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program)
Generous leave / time off policies.

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