Environmental Specialist 4 (Mid To Senior Level)

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you're valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Environmental Services

Our environmental specialists understand federal, state, and local environmental regulations, have trusted relationships with agency staff, and are experts on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and natural resources. From fast-track Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA) and Categorical Exclusions (CatEx) to remote fieldwork, biological assessments, and wetland delineations, our team understands the processes, people, and regulations needed to move our clients' projects to the next stage. Join our team and be one of the People Who Make it Happen!

Summary

Are you ready to bring your environmental expertise to complex, high-impact projects? DOWL is seeking a skilled and self-motivated Environmental Specialist 4 to support a variety of public and private infrastructure projects through advanced research, fieldwork, technical documentation, permitting, and regulatory coordination. In this role, you'll operate with a high degree of autonomy, applying your full proficiency in environmental services across multiple disciplines. You'll collaborate with clients and regulatory agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, while also reviewing and mentoring less-experienced team members. Success in this position requires a strong work ethic, a drive to learn and grow, and excellent organizational and communication skills. If you're passionate about delivering environmentally sound solutions and contributing to projects that make a difference in communities, we invite you to join DOWL's respected environmental team.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Proficient

Technical Expertise

• Fully proficient understanding of technical fundamentals related to the market sector
• Leads technical efforts on a variety of project types, sizes and complexities
• Mentors others on technical tasks and skills
• Performs quality control of moderately complex deliverables

Teamwork

• Team player who lead small teams (1-2 people) to complete challenging assignments.
• Thinks independently, provides clear communication and direction to others, and takes responsibility for their results.

Project Delivery

Produces the following independently and oversees others with less experience:

• Permit applications, reports, studies, memos associated with environmental and regulatory compliance
• Field studies as needed to support NEPA and regulatory compliance
• All manner of technical reports, memos and studies associated with and/or required by NEPA and state/local environmental compliance
• Sections of NEPA documents (CEs, EAs, EISs) - e.g., P&N Statements and Alternatives Analysis sections
• Local, State and Federal permit applications and Mitigation Plans
• Agency scoping meeting presentations and materials
• Lead agency consultations and permitting pre-application meetings
• Agency consultation documents (e.g., Section 7, Section 4(f), Section 106, EFH Consultations)

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentors others on above.

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Interprets, understands, and employs NEPA and Environmental laws, regulations, guidance, guidelines, and procedures with full proficiency:
• NEPA
• Laws and regulations relevant to NEPA and environmental compliance
• CEQ's implementation guidelines
• NEPA guidelines from various federal agencies
• Applicable NEPA and NEPA related E.O.'s
• DOT environmental procedures
• Environmental procedures for federal, state, and local clients
• Mentors others on interpreting, understanding and employing those laws and regulations
• Understands NEPA process, procedures, timelines, compliance concerns, and requirements of the full NEPA and regulatory compliance process

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients to resolve technical issues on moderate to complex projects. Leads client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs advanced levels of technical work on large, complex projects as a trusted technical member of the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. May perform some project management tasks.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company's plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: 6 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 5 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Advanced NEPA and/or permitting training preferred
• Must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical and environmental conditions described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This position requires a combination of office and field work. In the office, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, stand, walk, and use hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. In the field, the employee must be capable of driving or riding in all-terrain vehicles, small planes, or helicopters; cutting brush with machetes or shears; digging with shovels or bars; kneeling for extended periods; hiking through rough terrain, snow, and ice; and occasionally lifting and carrying between 30 and 50 pounds. Field work is conducted year-round in varied weather conditions and environments ranging from dense urban areas to extremely remote locations. Employees must be prepared to adapt quickly to changing conditions and work settings.