Associate Environmental Specialist

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA); Stateline (NV); On-site; USD 67,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Health insurance

HSA contributions

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is seeking an Associate Environmental Specialist to support the Permitting and Compliance Department in the Tahoe Basin.

The role focuses on ensuring on-the-ground implementation of permitted projects complies with TRPA’s Regional Plan and related guidelines. You will conduct inspections, maintain records, and engage with local jurisdictions and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning, hydrology, geography, environmental science, natural resources management, or related field.
• Three years of planning/compliance experience; Master’s may substitute for 2 years.
• Knowledge of stormwater quality, non-point source pollution, hydrology, or soils science.
• Experience implementing environmental protection measures on construction projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to interpret and enforce codes with the public.
• ArcGIS experience; proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Ensure construction activities comply with permits issued under the Regional Plan.
• Facilitate meetings with the public, interest groups, and agencies to develop solutions.
• Review plans for consistency with the Regional Plan and assess environmental impacts.
• Collaborate to support Shoreline Plan implementation in the Basin.
• Assist customers at the public service counter and via phone/email.
• Manage projects from scoping to execution and prepare staff reports, maps, and topical documents.
• Represent the agency at public events and meetings as needed.
• Input data into project tracking systems and prepare correspondence.
• Gather and interpret data related to enforcement and education.
• Work with Basin partners to raise awareness of TRPA rules.

Skills

Planning experience

Compliance experience

Public engagement

Code compliance knowledge

Environmental planning

Communication skills

Facilitation techniques

Interagency collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Web CMS

Job description

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and our dynamic team of professionals seek a motivated Associate Environmental Specialist to provide support to the Permitting and Compliance Department.

The focus of this position will be assuring that on-the-ground implementation of permitted projects and activities are completed in compliance with the TRPA Code of Ordinances, Handbook of Best Management Practices, Plan Area Statements, Area Plans, and other applicable components of the Regional Plan. This individual will conduct required pre-grade, intermediate, final, and security return inspections of approved projects and determine the proper course of action for protection of environmental resources. Required responsibilities include field review, interpretation of construction drawings, evaluation of water quality effects, checking for compliance, direct contact with building departments located within the Tahoe Basin, and frequent contact with the public. Local jurisdiction monitoring and reporting, complaint investigation, and resolution of violations for permitted and non-permitted activities are also functions of this position. The Associate Environmental Specialist will be responsible for maintaining inspection records, inputting project tracking information to a database, and preparing correspondence for applicants and permittees. Other duties or essential activities may be assigned by the Compliance Program Manager.

Overall Responsibilities

• Responsible for assuring that construction activities are conducted in compliance with permits issued in accordance with TRPA's Regional Plan.
• Facilitate meetings or workshops and engage with the public, interest groups, and agencies to develop practical solutions to a range of policy and planning issues.
• Review plans and ordinances for consistency with the Regional Plan and evaluate potential environmental impacts.
• Collaborate with local jurisdictions, other agency staff, and external stakeholders to support the implementation of the Shoreline Plan in conformance with the Regional Plan.
• Assist customers at the public service counter, over the telephone, and through e-mail to answer questions and provide solution-oriented advice.
• Manage assigned projects including effectively scoping, scheduling, planning, and executing projects.
• Prepare and present high quality written and graphic materials including staff reports, maps, posters, and topical reports or white papers.
• Act in a manner consistent with TRPA's goals and objectives as developed by the Governing Board, while providing service of the highest level to our customers- both internal and external.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local jurisdictions, environmental organizations, business interests, and other agencies.
• Use sound judgment to determine when to make independent decisions and when to seek direction from management or other staff.
• Performs duties related to the Permitting and Compliance Department reporting including report writing, data entry and data management, GIS mapping, and assistance with request for proposal preparation.
• Gather and interpret data related to enforcement and education.
• Work with partners around the Basin to increase awareness of the TRPA rules.
• Additional duties may be assigned to support the Permitting and Compliance Department.
• Work with partners to continually improve and spur innovation within the program and manage the collection of data while maintaining a high level of customer service.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Bachelor's Degree in urban or regional planning, hydrology, geography, environmental science, natural resources management, or other closely related field. Master's Degree is desired, but not required.

• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in planning and / or Compliance including long range planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, and/or current planning work. Master's Degree may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
• Basic understanding of the principles of stormwater quality, non-point source pollution, hydrology, and/or soils science.
• Experience in implementation of practical solutions for environmental protection measures on construction projects.
• Experience working with the public on the interpretation, explanation, and enforcement of varied codes and regulations, highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of Tahoe-specific environmental issues and Best Management Practices employed in the Tahoe Region, highly desirable.
• Formal training or experience in code compliance or natural resource protection is preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of and experience applying planning principles and methodologies.
• Training or experience with group facilitation techniques.
• Ability to understand and interpret the TRPA Code of Ordinances and ordinances of other jurisdictions.
• Good listening and interpersonal skills, and ability to build strong relationships with a variety of constituents inside and outside the agency.
• Demonstrates influence skills in dealing with all levels and ability to quickly establish credibility and trust. Able to influence and motivate via oral and/or written communication.
• Demonstrates the willingness and availability to represent the Compliance Program and /or Agency at public events and meetings as needed. Makes presentations at large and influential public forums on controversial issues.
• Comfort operating in fast-paced environment and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently or in a team setting.
• Knowledge of data collection, input, management and interpretation of natural resource information.
• Demonstrates initiative and personal motivation to be successful in the challenging and stimulating environment of the Tahoe Basin.
• Organization and time management skills including the ability to complete work assignment with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to interact with the public in a positive, non-confrontational manner. Capacity to manage conflict to an effective and positive outcome.
• Excellent record-keeping skills. Has oversight and responsibility for project approval of multiple complex projects. Effectively interprets data dealing with complex problems and situations. Demonstrates critical thinking and analysis capability, synthesizes complex facts and issues in order to propose successful solutions tailored to competing interests.
• Organizational savvy to build allies and relationships across the TRPA departments and programs and partner agencies. Uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others' roles and perspectives, and promotes projects and ideas across the Agency and the Tahoe Basin.
• Experience collecting field data according to established protocol.
• Experience with ArcGIS software.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and web content management.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $67,300 to $100,950. Starting pay is generally between the minimum ($67,300) and the middle ($84,125) of the range, with some flexibility, depending on experience.

• 27 days Paid Time Off (PTO) annually for sick and personal time away. Accruals increase with longevity.
• 13 paid holidays annually.
• Money Purchase Pension Plan – in lieu of Social Security, the Agency contributes a dollar amount equal to eight percent of your annual salary towards your retirement. This plan has immediate participation and 100% vesting.
• Supplemental Retirement Plan – the Agency contributes a dollar amount equal to seven percent of your annual salary towards your retirement. This plan has immediate participation and 100% vesting.
• Group Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• A choice of four (4) medical plans, with 100% employer- paid premiums on select employee-only coverage plans and partial coverage for dependents.
• High Deductible Health Plan with a contribution by TRPA to the employee's HSA account.
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
• Long-Term Disability (Voluntary).
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (Voluntary).

Please go to our website: https://www.trpa.gov/contact/employment/ for the full job brochure, Agency information, and TRPA's full application process.