Environmental Specialist 1/Trainee 1/Trainee 2 (NY HELPS)

NYS Department of Transportation; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

NYSDOT is seeking Environmental Specialist Trainee 1/2 or Environmental Specialist 1 to assist in advancing environmental reviews for high-priority state projects. The role involves supporting the MPER Bureau in Western NY/Central NY, with supervision and potential non-competitive appointment under NY HELPS.

Candidates must meet NY HELPS minimum qualifications and may substitute education for experience. Employment includes opportunities to advance within civil service classifications and work

Qualifications

• Four years of environmental analysis experience or substitution credits as noted.
• Experience with preparation/review of environmental impact analyses.
• Knowledge of state and federal environmental laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in progressing the environmental review process for high-priority projects including EIS.
• Review environmental studies and project documentation and provide recommendations to management.
• Interpret and apply environmental regulations and requirements.
• Coordinate with environmental agencies and assist with public involvement activities.

Skills

Environmental analysis

Education

Associate degree may substitute for two years of experience

Bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience

Master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience

Doctorate may substitute for six years of experience

Job description

Duties Description

This position is in the Major Projects Environmental Review (MPER) Bureau, Project Oversight/Support – Western NY/Central NY Section, in the Project Management Office. Under the direction of an Environmental Specialist 2, the Environmental Specialist Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 / Environmental Specialist 1 will assist in progressing the environmental review process for the Department’s high priority and other designated projects, including all of those that require an Environmental Impact Statement. This includes the following project work:

• Reviewing environmental studies and other project documentation and making recommendations to higher level management;
• Reviewing and conducting environmental technical analyses;
• Interpreting and applying environmental regulations and requirements;
• Coordinating/consulting with environmental agencies;
• Assisting with public involvement activities; and

Duties Description

This position is in the Major Projects Environmental Review (MPER) Bureau, Project Oversight/Support – Western NY/Central NY Section, in the Project Management Office. Under the direction of an Environmental Specialist 2, the Environmental Specialist Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 / Environmental Specialist 1 will assist in progressing the environmental review process for the Department’s high priority and other designated projects, including all of those that require an Environmental Impact Statement. This includes the following project work:

• Reviewing environmental studies and other project documentation and making recommendations to higher level management;
• Reviewing and conducting environmental technical analyses;
• Interpreting and applying environmental regulations and requirements;
• Coordinating/consulting with environmental agencies;
• Assisting with public involvement activities; and

Advising other areas within the Department on environmental rules and regulations and assisting with the development of policies and procedures.

Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

Environmental Specialist Trainee 1

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Four years of environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards; preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters; providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules, and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.

Environmental Specialist Trainee 2

Five years of environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards; preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters; providing consultation on environmental laws, rules, and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.

Environmental Specialist 1

Six years of environmental analysis experience which must include substantial involvement in the preparation and review of environmental impact analyses, requiring knowledge and application of state and federal environmental laws, regulations, methods, procedures, and standards; preparation of technical analyses on environmental impact matters; providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules, and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs.

Substitution: An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

If chosen, you may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications at your interview.

Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

Additional Comments

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

If you are on the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) eligible list, please state that along with your score in your cover letter.

Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt

The salary range listed reflects the full range for this graded position. For new State employees appointed into graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. For more salary information please visit https://oer.ny.gov/salary-schedules

DOT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).