Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist

Salary range is $78K to $170K with a midpoint of $118K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, performs a variety of senior professional level environmental compliance and planning functions and analysis in assigned functional areas, manages and ensures environmental compliance for Sound Transit projects related to project development, design, construction and operations; ensures compliance with all federal, state and local environmental regulations, local critical areas ordinances and other related regulations; Maintains effective working relationships with other agencies and Sound Transit partners including the Washington Department of Ecology, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the US Army Corps of Engineers and local jurisdictions. Provides strategic advice and support to agency staff and Construction Management teams on environmental compliance issues; manages the environmental permitting processes and coordinates directly with permitting authorities; and ensures compliance and implementation of environmental mitigation measures and permit commitments by other departments and third parties. Mentors and advises environmental staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Manages environmental compliance support services for Agency Operations, Property Management and/or Design, Engineering and Construction Management (DECM) capital project construction sites.
• Leads routine facility and/or construction site inspections that are attended by ST, construction contractors, Department of Ecology and other jurisdictional partners to ensure the project is being implemented in accordance with regulations, permits and best management practices.
• Provides strategic technical oversight support to the Agency for spill preparedness and response programs. Manages consultants and consultant contracts (including on-call contracts) for environmental services; oversees, manages and directs construction management environmental staff during project execution to ensure environmental compliance; procures consultant; develops and manages scopes, schedules and budgets; oversees contracts and assures contract compliance on assigned projects; develops recommendations on consultant services and other project needs, advises project managers of project conflicts and proposes resolution; contracts management includes reviewing and approving invoices; secures contract change orders as required; and coordinates communications among agency staff and contractor.
• Ensures implementation of environmental compliance and mitigation commitments based on environmental review; reviews contract documents (drawings and specifications) to ensure project is complying with environmental requirements and commitments, coordinates with project managers and other agencies and local jurisdictions.
• Identifies opportunities for the agency to integrate sustainability principles into local, state and federal environmental documentation and planning processes.
• Manages National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting and approvals for Sound Transit projects beginning with critical input during project development; coordinates with, resolves issues and provides necessary information to federal, state and local agencies and officials granting environmental permits and approvals. Conducts environmental review of project plans and contract specifications to ensure permit requirements have been adequately incorporated and coordinates plan and specification review by other environmental specialty staff as needed; Interfaces with Sound Transit DECM to provide strategic advice on implementation.
• Leads routine site visits to construction sites that are attended by ST Construction Management Teams, Contractors, Department of Ecology and other jurisdictional partners to ensure the project is being implemented according to the permits and best management practices.
• Collaborates with Sound Transit's Environmental Sustainability Management System (ESMS), which may entail participation through the Steering Committee or other technical working groups; researches and assists in the management of the various ESMS initiatives; develops and helps to achieve annual sustainability targets and helps to educate staff about the ESMS.
• As a construction stormwater compliance subject matter expert (SME) develops Environmental Awareness Training Modules that are presented to DECM Construction Management Teams.
• Provides support to the Office/Department on matters as directed; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Environmental Engineering, Science, Biology or closely related field. Five years of experience in area of assignment which may include, but is not limited to environmental compliance during operations, environmental due diligence, environmental compliance during construction, and natural resource permitting and identification, preferably in the transit industry and/or in public sector agencies; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license. This position is responsible for bringing equipment to perform testing and field monitoring of active construction sites, in varying stages and a variety of locations.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Certification as Professional Engineer, Ecologist, Hydrogeologist, or Hazardous Materials Manager.
• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sedimentation Control.
• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Environmental laws and regulations and practices related to compliance and contaminated properties.
• Environmental management and policy.
• Operations, services and activities of an environmental compliance program.
• State and federal environmental laws, regulations and industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues most relevant in transportation such as compliance with National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), NPDES, Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), Section 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), Model Toxic Control Act (MTCA), PLIA and air quality conformity.
• Current trends and professional literature in the area of environmental compliance and Environmental regulations and permit requirements including storm and wastewater discharge permits, construction best management practices, sensitive areas permits, mitigation commitments and remedial action plans.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and statistical databases.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department and agency staff, management, outside agencies, community groups, agency staff and the general public.
• Interpreting and applying principles and practices of state and federal environmental laws, regulations and industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues.
• Communicating environmental and technical issues to the public in community outreach settings.
• Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions.
• Resolving a variety of environmental issues.
• Contract management and administration.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Responding to inquiries in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• This position is responsible for field monitoring of active construction sites; may be subject to standing, bending, reaching and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.