ECOLOGY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - 09222026-81096

State of Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

State of Tennessee is seeking an Ecology Technical Specialist to support the Environment Division in Region 1 Preconstruction. The role focuses on ecology resources identification, documentation, and interagency consultation for transportation projects.

You will work in collaboration with Project Teams, consultants, and regulators to ensure compliance and timely deliverables. The position offers a hybrid work schedule (three days in office, two from home) and requires a Bachelor's degree in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field as may be outlined in the position description.
• Demonstrated competency in KSACs and project delivery concepts as described in the TDOT Technical Specialist program.

Responsibilities

• Assist with ensuring TDOT compliance with federal and state environmental regulations.
• Review TDOT projects to identify ecological resources and perform desktop research, field visits, and interagency coordination.
• Delineate streams and wetlands and prepare documentation for permit applications and interagency consultation.
• Utilize GIS data and external data sources to review TDOT projects and support ecology deliverables.
• Provide information to support permit applications, analyses, and mitigation as required by projects.
• Mentor TDOT staff and consultants, participate in project milestones, and coordinate with regulatory agencies.

Skills

Knowledge of transportation engineerin

Knowledge of transportation finance

Knowledge of contract development

Knowledge of technical report writing

Effective communication

Time management

Critical thinking

Reading and interpreting plans

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Job description

State of Tennessee Job InformationOpening Date/Time 09/22/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job InformationState of Tennessee Job InformationOpening Date/Time 09/22/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time 10/05/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly) $5,100.00 - $6,373.00Salary (Annually) $61,200.00 - $76,476.00Job Type Full-TimeCity, State Location Knoxville, TNDepartment TransportationLOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, KNOX COUNTYThis position is in the Environment Division - Region 1 Preconstruction - Permits & Ecology SectionFor More Information, Visit The Link Belowhttps://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/Environment-Division-Region-Env-Section-Ecology-Technical-Specialist.pdfThis position has a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home.QualificationsEducation and Experience:TDOT Technical Specialist IBachelor's Degree in a related field of study as may be outlined in the position descriptionTDOT Technical Specialist IIBachelor's Degree and 1 year of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position descriptionTDOT Technical Specialist IIIBachelor's Degree and 2 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position descriptionThe Tennessee Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, including business needs. Within 6 months of hire, employees must demonstrate successful mastery of corresponding work competencies and skill blocks of the Technical Specialist Competency Program for the level of worker for which they were hired. If skills and competencies are not met during that period, the employee can be demoted to the level of worker for which he/she is qualified.Necessary Special Qualifications for TDOT Technical Specialist I, II, IIISome positions in these classifications may have additional requirements such as:

• Professional licenses and/or certifications
• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid for use in operating vehicles in the State of Tennessee

Any necessary special qualifications will be denoted in the position description.Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And CompetenciesThe required KSACs for TDOT Technical Specialist I, II and III include:

• Knowledge of transportation engineering principles
• Knowledge of transportation finance principles
• Knowledge of contract development principles and applications
• Knowledge of technical report writing
• Ability to communicate effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to the position responsibilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with precision and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to read and interpret project plans

Additional KSACs for TDOT Technical Specialist II and III include:

• Skilled in the application of engineering principles
• Skilled in the application of transportation finance principles
• Skilled in the application of state and federal regulations to transportation projects
• Skilled in technical report writing
• Skilled in the development of contract principles and applications
• Ability to work in project teams
• Ability to maintain effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed

Additional KSACs For The TDOT Technical Specialist III Include

• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to analyze a process and offer actionable feedback for use in improving the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the existing process

Conditions of Employment

• Incorporating overtime, weekends, and night shifts into their schedules as work schedules dictate
• Extended durations outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Working in and around construction and vehicular traffic
• Walking on uneven terrain
• Climbing ladders and construction scaffolding
• Carrying equipment and samples in excess of 25 pounds
• Driving long distances as required to perform daily duties
• Performing work in which personal protective equipment will be required to be worn
• Sitting for extended periods while driving or working on computers
• Standing for extended periods while working outdoors or in a laboratory setting

OverviewThe Ecology Technical Specialist works in a team setting, providing support and expertise to the Ecology Team, Technical Studies Section, Project Teams, and the Department. This position will assist the Ecology Senior Technical Specialist by providing the Project Teams with technically sound and timely ecology information and deliverables, while ensuring compliance with Federal and State requirements pertaining to identification, classification, assessment, documentation, and interagency consultation of natural resources for TDOT projects. This position will assist in implementing the Quality Management Program as part of the Environmental Division's activities. The Ecology Technical Specialist role requires collaboration with TDOT Divisions, Project Teams, consultants, contractors, and external stakeholders. This position must effectively articulate technical concepts as part of a matrix organization. The Ecology Technical Specialist will assist with ensuring all Technical Studies Section deliverables are applicable and readily accessible to assist with timely, accurate, and efficient decision-making. This position requires critical thinking with a focus on problem-solving to make well-informed decisions that increase the safety, performance, sustainability, and efficient delivery of the Department's transportation system.Responsibilities

• Assist with ensuring TDOT compliance with the Endangered Species Act, Executive Order 11990 Protection of Wetlands, the Clean Water Act, the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act, EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, and all other relevant state and federal laws and regulations governing ecological resources.
• Review applicable TDOT projects to identify ecological resources. Perform desktop work, research, and field visits for the identification, classification, and documentation for interagency consultation for ecological resources for TDOT projects.
• Assist with delineating streams and wetlands, collecting and processing data, mapping, identifying flora, fauna, and specialized habitats, and completing documentation required for the Environmental Boundary Report and for interagency consultation of ecological resources for TDOT projects.
• Utilize available GIS data sets and online data sources provided by, but not limited to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), US Geological Survey (USGS), and National Park Service (NPS) in the review of TDOT projects.
• Provide the Permits, Mitigation, and Compliance Teams with the required ecology information required to prepare permit applications, such as assessments, surveys, analyses, delineations, and mitigation to assist in documenting compliance.
• Serve as a resource for Project Teams as part of a matrix organization consistent with the Project Delivery Network (PDN) including research, fieldwork, documentation, and coordination related to ecology resources.
• Remain current with applicable State and Federal Regulations that impact the deliverables developed by the Ecology Team. Implement discipline-specific policies and procedures.
• Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers by exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively.
• Assist in ensuring ecology deliverables are consistent, predictable, and repeatable to provide for high levels of achievement, mitigation of risk, and an established track record of success.

Additional Job Responsibilities for the Technical Specialist II and III include:

• Assist Project Teams as part of a matrix organization consistent with the Project Delivery Network (PDN). Assist in delivering all products and services as required and providing input at all applicable project milestones, including Project Kick-Off, Risk Workshops, Project Scoping Meetings, Field Reviews, and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates meetings. Assist project teams through collaboration to ensure the project schedule includes activities and durations related to ecology processes and procedures and to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to ecology resources.
• Review and interpret roadway design plans and assist in developing avoidance, minimization, or mitigation of adverse effects measures to ecological resources within a project's Area of Potential Effect.
• Consult with TDEC, TWRA, USACE, USDA, USFWS, and other applicable agencies associated with ecological resources. For consultations related to project designs, coordinate with the Project Manager and the Project Team to ensure accurate and complete communication of current avoidance and minimization efforts, parameters associated with current designs, and any related design changes or required mitigation measures that may need to be investigated as a result of agency coordination.
• Assist in the oversight of external partners by serving on selection committees for ecology services, including assisting with scope of work development, attending project-specific marketing meetings, assisting with determining scoring criteria, assisting with project information sessions, when applicable, serving as a scorer as part of the consultant acquisition process, and attending de-briefs for consultants where usable feedback must be provided.
• Assist the Ecology Team Lead in the management of external partners, including the negotiation of contracts, review of consultant invoicing, management of contract tasks, and completion of consultant grading.

Additional Job Responsibilities for the TDOT Technical Specialist III include:

• Provide mentoring to TDOT staff, consultants, and local agencies with respect to the Ecology Team.
• Participate in the Project Teams as part of a matrix organization consistent with the Project Delivery Network (PDN), delivering all products and services as required and providing input at all applicable project milestones including Project Kick Off, Risk Workshops, Project Scoping Meetings, Field Reviews, and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates meetings. Ensure the project schedule includes activities and appropriate durations related to ecology processes and procedures. Coordinate with external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, and assist the Project Teams by providing expertise for avoidance, minimization, or mitigation of adverse effects measures to identified ecology resources.
• Assist with ensuring successful strategic partnerships with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and local agencies to effectively implement TDOT's vision statewide.
• Coordinate with the Ecology Senior Technical Specialist and the TDOT Technical Training Director and assist in the development and presentation of Ecology training and technical guidance that addresses acquired knowledge, risk management, technical design elements, and emerging technologies related to transportation for the purpose of improving team performance, creating a stronger understanding of the transportation industry, inspiring new ideas, and developing skills.
• Perform quality assurance reviews of materials related to the Ecology Section. Ensure Ecology Section deliverables are in alignment with TDOT performance objectives.