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Additional Salary Information:
Training Assignment:This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules.
Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.
Applicant Pool:If another department
vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may
be used for the selection.
Special Information:
Environmental Services Bureau (ESB) mission for MDT is to be the expert regarding all environmental issues, concerns and opportunities. The ESB provides guidance to all Divisions and the Director’s Office to ensure compliance with environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, orders, and agreements. The ESB identifies and evaluates potential impacts of transportation construction and maintenance activities on natural, social, and economic resources and recommends measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate such impacts in compliance with applicable local, state, federal, and tribal regulations and policies. Resources evaluated by ESB include those pertaining to fish, wildlife, vegetation, wetlands, water resources, water quality, historic, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, hazardous and solid waste, erosion and sediment control, air quality, noise, visual, social, economic, etc.
The Environmental Engineering Section plays an integral part in ensuring that MDT’s work is conducted in accordance with laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Montana Water Quality Act, and applicable MDT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rules, standards and guidelines to accomplish the project development goals and objectives of MDT. The Section maintains a high level of knowledge, skill, and ability in applying these laws to MDT’s activities: preconstruction, planning, construction, maintenance, aviation, motor carriers, and facilities. The Section coordinates with planning, design, maintenance, and construction, and develops policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure that all MDT projects meet the requirements of NEPA, MEPA, the CWA, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws.
This position is commonly referred to as the District Environmental Engineering Specialist (DEES). The DEES serves in the District for the Engineering Section of the ESB. This position is responsible for implementing MDT’s erosion and sediment control, storm water, construction, and maintenance environmental permitting and compliance activities and programs at the District level to ensure compliance with local, State, Federal and Tribal regulations, This position is responsible for assisting with the development and delivery of environmental compliance and stewardship training programs. This position provides training for district field staff; contractors; other MDT work units; and other local, state, and federal agencies in accordance with ESB policy. This position exercises solid environmental engineering judgment coupled with accurate interpretation of environmental laws. This position directly reports to the Environmental Engineering Section Supervisor (EESS) for work prioritization, policy, and procedures. The District Administrator (DA) or District Preconstruction Engineer provides indirect supervision and occasionally provides work prioritization to the DEES on urgent/high priority projects. This position will be accountable to both the District and the EESS for their daily activities including time accountability. The DEES routinely coordinates with the Field Services Engineer (FSE) regarding technical and ESB policy matters. This position does not supervise other agency personnel. Successful applicant(s) will be subject to: Driving Record Check
Duties:This position provides professional and technical assistance, guidance and recommendations to district maintenance and construction staff to promote compliance with applicable environmental regulations, permits, project plans, specifications, environmental commitments, and MDT and ESB policies and procedures.
This position reviews the contract document and participates in Pre-Construction Conferences to provide environmental compliance assistance. This position reviews permit applications to facilitate efficient Stream Protection Act (SPA) Notification, 318 Authorization, Construction Dewatering and Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting. This position will conduct on-site reviews and coordinate with field staff and/or Contractors to review permit conditions and promote proper implementation of and compliance with environmental permits, commitments, policies, procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. Monitors the effectiveness of environmental performance and procedures and makes recommendations to enhance environmental compliance, efficiency or cost effectiveness. Coordinates with contractors through the EPM and to resolve problems at the lowest level possible. Assists construction personnel with issues related to erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs). The DEES coordinates with District personnel and Contractors to participate in Final Construction Inspection for Project Close-out. Investigates contractor recordkeeping and compliance history. This position coordinates or conducts investigations of actual or potential environmental compliance deficiencies during construction. Recommends measures and practices to rectify deficiencies. As necessary, prepares or assists the contractor in preparing documentation of potential non-compliance events in accordance with MDT policy and applicable requirements. Is responsible for evaluating proposed activities conducted by MDT maintenance personnel for purposes of determining applicable environmental permitting, suggesting alternative means of accomplishing work to minimize permitting responsibilities and enforcement risks. As necessary, this position will coordinate with regulatory personnel to address questions regarding permit applications and to negotiate and/or clarify permit conditions. This position will coordinate with maintenance staff to review applicable laws and permit conditions. This position will function as a liaison between maintenance personnel and other ESB personnel. As requested by Maintenance personnel, assist with preparation of environmental checklists for submittal to ESB. Conducts on-site reviews of locations of proposed approach, utility or encroachment permit applications. Is responsible for developing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) for maintenance activities in accordance with Montana and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (MPDES and NPDES) Construction General Permit requirements. Prepares the Notice of Intent (NOI) packages and oversees Maintenance administration of permit requirements and conducts annual inspections as applicable and for preparing the final stabilization report for Storm Water Permit termination. Prepares Notice of Termination (NOT) packets. Coordinates with District Maintenance personnel to conduct on-site reviews. Monitors the effectiveness of environmental performance and procedures and makes recommendations to enhance environmental compliance, efficiency or cost effectiveness.
Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by the Environmental Services Bureau Chief, Engineering Section Supervisor, DA or DA delegate.
Competencies:
This position is required to have a working knowledge of a wide variety of environmental regulations, rules, and permits in order to service as a first point of contact for district field staff and to coordinate with and provide support for ESB operations and activities.
Incumbent will need a working knowledge of transportation construction and maintenance activities and local, state, federal, and tribal water quality regulations, standards, and requirements; statewide construction project needs and processes; Department objectives; and theoretical environmental engineering applications to implement erosion control and permitting programs required for critical federal funding. Other problems involve site-specific environmental issues, unique construction requirements, and politically or technically contentious issues associated with construction project objectives and water quality regulations.
This position requires extensive knowledge of accepted and developmental theories, concepts, and principles of civil and environmental engineering and environmental resources as they relate to environmental resource management, water quality protection, and erosion and sediment control as well as related mathematics and physical sciences (e.g., hydrology, geotechnical analysis, soil mechanics, etc.). The position also requires knowledge of the methods and practices of highway construction; engineering and design; and related policies, methods, procedures, specifications, standards, and regulations; advanced research methods and techniques; environmental permitting processes and requirements; applicable state, federal, AASHTO, and FHWA requirements and standards; applicable state, federal, and tribal laws and permit requirements.
The incumbent must be able to effectively manage multiple tasks and prioritize those tasks based on critical risk assessment capabilities. The incumbent must communicate well with a wide variety of audiences. The incumbent must be able to work well independently and as part of a team.
Education/Experience:
The required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering or another related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in civil, construction and/or environmental work. Experience in transportation is preferred.
Examples of related degrees would include Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Environmental Science, Bio-Resources, Agriculture, Land Reclamation, Soil Science, Geology, Agronomy or other related Earth Science or Biological Science.
A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE) is preferred.
Candidates who lack work experience may be considered for a training assignment.
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