Environmental Protection Specialist III, Water Quality - Durango

Colorado Department of Transportation; Durango (CO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement

Health insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

Colorado Department of Transportation's Region 5 seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist III to lead water quality initiatives and support NEPA-related environmental planning. You will work with FHWA, CDPHE, and design teams to ensure compliance and effective mitigation.

The role requires extensive experience in stormwater management and environmental regulation, with a hybrid schedule, field visits across southwestern Colorado, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional environmental work with focus on stormwater, water quality, or hydrology.
• Experience coordinating with regulatory agencies (CDPHE, EPA, FHWA).
• Strong knowledge of environmental permits and NEPA processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional water quality program administration.
• Obtain, manage and audit CDPS stormwater permits.
• Coordinate environmental compliance with CDOT design and construction teams.
• Maintain records and oversee post-construction inspections.

Skills

Environmental science

Water quality

Stormwater management

Hydrologic science

Environmental policy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Gmail/Google Apps

Stormwater software

Job description

Department Information

New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

About CDOT

CDOT employees make a difference by providing freedom, connection, and experience to the traveling public, while also keeping them safe. The State of Colorado offers competitive medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts. Visit the State of Colorado benefits for details, current premium rates and a summary video about benefits. The state also offers PERA retirement, great optional PERA plans such as 401K, a generous paid time off package of annual, sick, holiday and other leave, strong career growth, tuition reimbursement and professional development. Perks include Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership and employee discount program. Visit CDOT Benefits for details. Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

CDOT for All

CDOT’s strength is our people, and our commitment to our people is to shape, support, and sustain the employee experience, and ultimately, create a supportive workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socio-economic status, or any other identity, has the opportunity to thrive.

Description Of Job

About The Work Unit

The Region 5 Planning and Environmental Team provides support to design, construction and maintenance personnel for environmental analysis, permits and mitigation throughout southwestern Colorado. This includes ensuring that the legal requirements of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental protection laws, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) policies and procedures are adequately addressed for region programs. This team works to ensure that the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the transportation system is conducted in a manner which helps preserve the environmental resources within the Region.

About The Position

As the Environmental Protection Specialist III , you will serve as a water quality resource lead and expert for the Region 5 Environmental Team and also support the Region Planning and Environmental Manager (RPEM), environmental staff, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the engineering programs during the most critical phases of the project completion, construction and maintenance.

Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following

• Support the RPEM with administering the regional water quality program.
• Determine need for, obtain and deactivate permits, such as the Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) stormwater permit.
• Manage the construction stormwater program to ensure the protection of state waters.
• Conduct CDPS stormwater permit audits and advise staff and contractors on compliance with water quality requirements, including Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation and repairs.
• Complete paperwork and maintain records for the water quality program, advise maintenance on all open CDPS permits and conduct and coordinate post-construction inspections, complete necessary paperwork, and provide maintenance oversight.
• Ensure compliance with other environmental commitments unrelated to water quality, as appropriate.
• Perform environmental planning and management of construction and maintenance programs, along with access and utility permits, to determine the NEPA categorical exclusion type for project clearance.
• Manage CatEx NEPA project clearances, and assist with larger NEPA projects.
• Ensure incorporation of all applicable federal, state and local agency laws and permitting such as Section 404, SB 40, and stormwater construction permits.
• Advise and clarify environmental requirements with CDOT design engineers and consultants.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Primarily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday with the opportunity for flexible work hours.
• After a training period, you will likely work a hybrid schedule with a combination of in-office and remote work.
• Travel required throughout southwest Colorado to attend meetings, training, and to conduct project site visits.
• May require working extended hours in evenings and weekends to attend meetings or training.
• Occasionally required to travel out of town with overnight stays.
• Approximately 40% spent in the field, 60% spent in the office.
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles.
• Required to perform some work over variable terrain, in all weather conditions, and in proximity to heavy traffic

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 8 years of full-time professional experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, hydrologic science, water resources, natural resources, biology, urban planning, construction management, or other work related to the major duties of this position, which included at least 4 years of experience with a focus in stormwater management, water quality, and/or hydrology.

Education And Experience

A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least 8 years.

• Education from an accredited college or university with coursework in environmental science, environmental engineering, hydrologic science, water resources, natural resources, biology, urban planning, construction management, or another field of study related to the duties of this position will be considered.
• Experience with a focus in stormwater management, water quality, and/or hydrology will be considered.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information in the supplemental information section.
• A current valid driver’s license is required for all Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) positions which require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• State of Colorado Certificate for a Transportation Erosion Control Supervisor;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, implement, and maintain a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP);
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with construction stormwater management inspections;
• Familiarity with a broad range of water quality laws, rules, and regulations, such as those with local agencies CDPHE, EPA, and FHWA regulations, etc.;
• Ability to teach, explain, demonstrate and clarify stormwater plans, specifications and regulations to a variety of construction staff;
• Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization and multi-tasking ability;
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a fast paced, demanding environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills;
• Working effectively as both independent self-initiator and interactive problem-solving in team situations;
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem solving ability;
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral;
• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy;
• Experience with electronic stormwater permitting software;
• Experience with CDOT stormwater management field inspection is a plus;
• Passion for safety;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Employment Screening

If an applicant reaches the finalist stage of the hiring process, the Colorado Department of Transportation may procure a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report on the applicant in connection with his/her application for employment purposes, as defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. These reports may be obtained at any time after receipt of the applicant's authorization. As part of the employment screening an applicant will be requested to disclose any deferred judgments and convictions as well as an explanation of the circumstances around any arrest or conviction. In the event that a screening returns information that the applicant believes is not accurate, he or she will have an opportunity to dispute the information with “Accurate.” Accurate, a consumer reporting agency, will obtain the report for CDOT. Further information regarding Accurate including its privacy policy, may be found online at www.accurate.com. Accurate is located at 200 Spectrum Center Drive Suite 1100, Irvine, CA 92618. The report may contain information bearing on the applicant's character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. The information that may be included in the report includes social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records checks, educational records, and driving records checks. CDOT will only request credit reports insofar as they relate to the position for which the applicant is applying. The information contained in the report will be obtained from private and/or public record sources. The applicant will have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable time after receipt of a notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report.

ADAAA Accommodations

CDOT is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Emily Harp at [e-mail] or call 303-757-9738.

Former State Employees

Former employees of the Colorado Department of Transportation System or any other State of Colorado Department or Agency, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information on his/her application.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.