Environmental Protection Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Federal Transit Administration; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

The Federal Transit Administration in the Department of Transportation seeks a Regional Environmental Protection Specialist in the Cambridge, MA area. The incumbent will ensure NEPA compliance and adherence to 23 CFR part 771 and related Federal environmental laws during implementation of the Federal transit program.

This position is eligible for telework. The ideal candidate has mid-career experience applying NEPA or other environmental laws to transit projects, leading interagency

Qualifications

• Experience implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or other environmental laws in transit projects.
• Knowledge of Federal environmental regulations and policy related to NEPA, 23 CFR 771, and related requirements.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate environmental documents for legal sufficiency and compliance with 23 CFR 771.
• Serve as the primary FTA Region 1 representative in interagency consultations with federal, state, tribal, and local regulators.

Job description

• Department: Department of Transportation

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Regional Environmental Protection Specialist. The incumbent is responsible for assuring the region's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FTA's environmental procedures (23 CFR part 771), and related Federal laws during its execution of the Federal transit program.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate environmental documents—including Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs), and Records of Decision (RODs)- for legal sufficiency and compliance with 23 CFR 771.
• Serve as the primary FTA Region 1 representative in interagency consultations with federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory bodies (e.g., EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Historic Preservation Officers, and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers).
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Executive Orders and directives related to NEPA, National Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the US DOT Act, FTA NEPA regulations and standard operating procedures, and the FTA project development process.
• Conduct pre-award environmental reviews and field assessments to identify potential environmental hazards, noise/vibration issues, air quality impacts, or cultural resource conflicts early in project design.
• Facilitate meetings with FTA recipients, manage a diverse workload with competing deadlines, identify and implement best management practices.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams, coordinate with resource agencies, and mediate competing stakeholder interests.
• Give presentations in professional settings, convey technical topics to non-technical audiences, and articulate complex policy positions to agency decision-makers.

The Ideal Candidate for this position is a mid-career employee with experience implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or other environmental laws, regulations, or policy for transit projects.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $101375 - $158322/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-20.

What is the work schedule?

This is a Full Time position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.