Environmental Compliance Specialist jobs in Pierre, SD

Job ID: 26854
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Planning and Engineering
Location: Pierre
Salary: $25.38 - $38.70 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: ES1 – ES3
Closing Date: 05/08/2024

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/.

Introduction:
Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

As a member of our close-knit team, you will experience meaningful, exciting, and empowering work every day, all while maintaining balance with your personal life. That’s because the South Dakota Department of Transportation puts our employees first in everything we do. With generous PTO policies and 11 paid holidays, you can advance your career and still have time to make memories with friends and family. Our team members receive on-the-job training and some of the best benefits available, with 6% matching retirement contributions and health insurance options that include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan.

Keep the most important things in your life your top priority with a long-term career that makes it possible.

Benefits you won’t find anywhere else:

• 6% matching retirement funding
• Accruable sick leave and vacation leave
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• On-the-job training
• Advancement paths for all positions
• Flexible scheduling
• HSA and low and high deductible health insurance plans

Job Description:
The Environmental Section is seeking a Wetland Specialist (Environmental Scientist I-III) to provide scientific and technical expertise to SDDOT staff, consultants, and contractor forces regarding wetland ecology, management, and regulation. The Wetland Specialist is an integral part of the team and works closely with scientists, biologists, planners, and engineers through transportation planning, design, project construction, and beyond.

Typical 40-hour workweek, Monday through Friday. In-state travel with occasional overnight stays is required. Work activities will be predominately in an office environment with occasions in an outdoor environment. Normal physical dexterity for field work will be fundamental. Walk long distances over many kinds of terrain; animals, reptiles, and insects are a factor. Ability to climb, balance, stoop, and kneel.

What You Bring to the SDDOT:

• a growth mindset;
• vision and creativity;
• a team-oriented attitude;
• a confident, action-oriented personality;
• attention to detail and a passion for organization;
• a commitment to fostering high ethical standards;
• environmental stewardship.

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental
• Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
• Flexible scheduling
• Paid overtime (if applicable)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead environmental studies, including wetland delineation, and develop mitigation plans.
• Negotiate technical and legal details of major wetland proposals with local, state, federal, and private entities on project actions that may have inter-related environmental impacts.
• Provide general direction to staff and partners, prepare technical reports and develop project proposal scopes of work, agreements, and work orders with consultants.
• Grow the SDDOT's environmental stewardship of aquatic resources.
• Coordinate and prepare National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineations Manual, Functional Assessments, Hydrogeomorphic Approach for Assessing Wetlands Functions, and appropriate Regional Supplements to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual;
• working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Applications;
• federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and permitting requirements, including NEPA, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and other compliance regulations.

Skills:

• independently provide scientific and technical expertise in wetland identification and delineation, functional assessments, development of mitigation reports & plans, and evaluation of project impacts through applying understanding of wetland ecology and biology;
• analyze GIS layers, soil typing, and perform field reconnaissance to identify and delineate wetlands utilizing standardized protocols in the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineations Manual and the Regional Supplements to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual;
• provide technical review and evaluation of project impacts and wetland mitigation plans;
• make recommendations to department management and other local, state, and federal entities involved in wetland regulation and management actions;
• provide education and training through the development and presentation of lectures, workshops, and field training on scientific, technical, and political issues related to wetland ecology and management;
• understand environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level by independently reviewing, analyzing, developing, and recommending wetland policies, guidelines, and regulations to SDDOT management;
• review, understand, and develop complex wetland regulatory and technical documents;
• contribute to engineering plans, specifications, and schedules and have a strong understanding of how transportation projects are executed.

Abilities:

• communicate in an effective and professional manner through writing and speaking;
• present information in formal and informal settings that identify SDDOT positions;
• apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills by independently serving as a wetland expert for SDDOT matters;
• facilitate problem solving processes at the organizational level and encourage problem solving skills in others;
• develop, participate with, and facilitate interdisciplinary teams having agency wide or statewide impact;
• demonstrate broad knowledge of the organization's authorizing environment and the team's role within that structure.

Position Requirements:
A combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Environmental or Physical Sciences. Working knowledge of NEPA regulations, transportation decision making, and four (4) to six (6) years of progressive experience as a Wetland Scientist is preferred. Willingness and ability to obtain certification from the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist or Wetland Professional in Training.

Have and maintain a valid driver's license.

Compensation:
The total compensation of Hourly Wage State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Wetland Specialist is approximately $73,356.00 annually.

Qualifications of the successful applicant will determine the environmental scientist classification level assigned.

Salary will be set depending on qualifications. We provide training and certification, transportation, and safety gear to get you started and keep you updated on best practices.

As a requirement for continued employment, you may need to secure further technical training and/or certifications related to this position and its responsibilities.

Join the South Dakota Department of Transportation! View more about this opportunity here: https://youtu.be/WdCQix5wB8A.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=PKG
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"