Salary Grade: NC 18 Salary Range: $58,294.00 – $102,015.00

The Environmental Coordination and Permitting Group (ECAP) provides the NCDOT with expertise in ensuring all federal and state environmental laws and regulations are followed in transportation studies, avoidance and minimization guidelines are adhered to, mitigation is provided for unavoidable impacts and all necessary environmental permits are applied for and received to ensure NCDOT project are delivered on schedule. The ECAP Group specifically ensures that all natural resources associated with transportation projects are properly accounted for and that all environmental permits are acquired.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a technical expert for natural resources evaluation and permitting for the Department and ensures NCDOT’s compliance with all laws, rules, regulations and policies pertaining to natural resource evaluations and permitting. As required by the State and National Environmental Policy Acts (SEPA & NEPA), Federal Clean Water Act, and the Federal Endangered Species Act, the Environmental Program Consultant will ensure that the natural resources associated with transportation projects are properly accounted for and that any impacts to those resources are avoided or minimized or appropriately mitigated. This position is also responsible for the acquisition of all environmental permits to enable projects to be constructed. As a senior member of the ECAP Group, the employee will perform these tasks on projects of the highest complexity. They will also be responsible for assisting less experienced staff and conducting trainings to ensure staff are current with state and federal regulations and guidelines and are using the latest scientific information and protocols. Though assigned to the ECAP Eastern Region, this position may work on projects across the state.

The position will coordinate with Private Engineering Firms (PEF) and evaluate their work for completeness and technical accuracy, review and approve scopes of work, estimate labor and costs, negotiate fees, and process invoices.

Duties also include planning, scheduling, assigning, tracking, and reporting work tasks; participating in project team meetings, coordinating as necessary with project teams and the Transportation Divisions to ensure natural resource investigations are conducted in compliance with applicable laws, NCDOT policy and in keeping with project schedules.

The position is required to work very independently while interacting with engineers, project managers and regulatory agencies to collect, evaluate, analyze, and tabulate data for inclusion into project environmental documents and permits. This position will perform other tasks and assignments as required by NCDOT management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Qualified Applicants must submit an application that clearly reflects work experience that demonstrates the following:

• 
  Knowledge of the principles of natural science and of environmental science as they apply to transportation planning and environmental assessment
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and regulatory requirements - NEPA/SEPA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA)
• Experience with techniques and methods in conducting ecological field inventories, stream delineations, wetland delineations and protected species surveys
• Experience in planning and coordinating work, managing project schedules and deliverables, and evaluating and reviewing work done by others

Additional Expectations
Thorough knowledge of wetland systems, biological communities and the relationship of highways and highway development to streams and wildlife. Knowledge of ArcMap, and Microstation or similar mapping and CAD software. Experience with Trimble GPS Units and associated desktop software, and the Microsoft Office suite of products. A demonstrated ability to solve problems, resolve conflicts and to apply critical thinking to complex environmental issues. The ability to lead and direct, as well as assist with interviews and be knowledgeable on state personnel policies and procedures. The ability to effectively communicate complex and technical information in writing and verbally to a varied audience.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.