NEPA Project Manager (TP 1)

State-of-Iow; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Paid time off

IPERS retirement plan

401A plan

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a NEPA Project Manager (Transportation Planner 1) in Ames, Iowa. The role focuses on ensuring NEPA compliance, preparing technical reports, and coordinating with municipalities and agencies.

This trainee-level position offers teleworking with mandatory in-person meetings, requires Iowa residency, and involves some travel. Growth to Transportation Planner 2 after three years is possible.

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. or higher in any field, or equivalent education/experience.
• Education/experience equivalent to four years plus specialized coursework in civil/transportation planning, environmental planning, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Prepare technical NEPA reports and documents.
• Coordinate with city/county project applicants and regulatory agencies.
• Represent the bureau in project management teams.
• Interact with public and stakeholders on a routine basis.

Skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Ethical conduct

Customer focus

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Four years education/experience in civil/transportation/urban planning

Job description

Come Join our NEPA Team

Are you a rule follower and love making sure everyone else follows the rules too? Is your idea of a good time writing and editing technical reports? If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, we have a job for you! We are looking to hire a NEPA Project Manager (Transportation Planner 1) in the Location & Environment Bureau at the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Work Hours

Days, M-F; flexible schedules available.

Location

Ames, Iowa; teleworking is available, but there will be mandatory in-person meetings.

*Applicants must have Iowa residency at the time of hire.

Travel

Some travel will be required

The NEPA Team

This trainee-level position plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Iowa Department of Transportation stays in its lane when it comes to federal-aid transportation projects complying with environmental regulations. This four-person team makes up the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Section of the Location and Environment Bureau (LEB). This team is responsible for a variety of tasks associated with the planning and preparation of environmental documents.

As a NEPA project manager

your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing technical reports and documents
• Working with city and county project applicants
• Coordinating with resource/regulatory agencies
• Representing the bureau in project management teams
• Interacting with the public and interested stakeholders on a routine basis

Preferred Characteristics

• Great organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Displays high standards of ethical conduct
• Commits to providing a high-quality product and service
• Works collaboratively with a diverse group of people
• Addresses and listens to others in a respectful manner
• Treats customers courteously and is responsive to their needs

We are looking for someone who has a working knowledge of (or is willing to learn) the appropriate laws, regulations, and guidance required to comply with NEPA.

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

This position is a journey position with the possibility of a promotion to a Transportation Planner 2 after three years.

Iowa DOT’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa DOT’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee Benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field.
2. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience, where one year of full-time work experience in civil/transportation/traffic engineering, environmental engineering or science finance, business administration, supply chain management, data science, geography, archaeology, economics, mathematics, community development planning, regional planning, urban planning, aviation (technology, management, or flight operations), or transportation planning equals thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.