Transit Environmental Planner III
- Summary
Metro Transit's Environmental Planning team is recruiting for a Transit Environmental Planner III position to support engineers and transportation planners by applying highly developed environmental planning and technical skills to every Transit capital project and program, including bus bases (new and expanding), passenger facilities, Rapid Ride, layover, and corridor projects. This position will undertake environmental review of other agencies' major projects that affect the provision of transit services by Metro Transit.
A Great Employment Opportunity in Environmental Planning
Joining the Transit Division's Environmental Planning team will be a significant career move for most environmental planners. Our work doubly supports the environmental mission: Not only is every project and program environmentally planned with the best techniques available, but because our cause is public transit and regional transportation, everything we build or plan directly affects the environment. Each construction project and transit program we build or implement is carefully planned to maximize its helpful impact on our region's environment. We are a leader in implementation of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building standards in not only our office buildings but also our industrial buildings, and we received the 2011 Excellence in Building Green Award for the construction of Metro's Atlantic and Central Base Operations Building.
About King County
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nations' history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking and continuous improvement. With this commitment,
King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income. All of these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
An Employer To Be Proud Of
Working for Metro means working for a leader in this nation's public transportation industry. King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in getting people to work quickly, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington. King County's Executive has instituted a strong, practical commitment to Green Building standards and a comprehensive response to the global warming crisis.
Competitive Benefits
King County provides our employees with a free transportation pass (good on Metro, Pierce, Community, and Sound Transit) and a competitive benefits package (see Benefits tab for more details).
For additional information, regarding benefits please visit: kingcounty.gov/employees/benefits.
Who May Apply
This position is open to the general public and all King County employees. In addition to filling the current career service position, this recruitment may also be used to establish a pool of eligible candidates to fill future career service and/or temporary vacancies in this classification that may occur over the next twelve months.
Required Application Materials
An employment application, completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, with employment history going back at least ten years if you have ten years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience), answers to supplemental questions, a resume, and a writing sample, are required. For a writing sample, please paste or attach a work sample of your writing, preferably no more than two pages in length, that is related to an environmental topic such as NEPA/SEPA, environmental permitting, cultural resources, USTs, storm water, etc. Please see application instructions at the end of this posting for more details.
Work Schedule
The standard work week is 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, alternative work schedules will be considered. Occasional work may be required during evenings and weekends. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible overtime pay.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Mara Cardenas
Senior Human Resource Advisor
206-477-2358
mara.cardenas@kingcounty.gov- Job Duties
- Act as the environmental technical lead on multiple projects of varying size, complexity, and risk to obtain environmental approvals for Transit capital projects
- Obtain Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), and other agency approvals and ensure implementation of mitigation commitments on capital projects
- Establish environmental project schedules, goals, policies, work plans, and deadlines
- Manage or oversee internal and/or consultant environmental studies and documentation Ensure environmental permits and approvals are obtained and meet schedules for project design and construction
- Administer Transit's lead agency role under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) by making threshold determinations for Transit capital projects or programs to ensure compliance with state laws and administrative rules
- Review and verify environmental information submitted by consultants
- Provide in-house environmental subject matter expertise to engineering, operational, and planning functions, identifying and implementing solutions to problems related to environmental approvals and permitting
- Manage consultant experts who perform contract work related to hazardous materials management, storm water, cultural resources, and noise
- Review other agency projects, policies, or programs for impacts on department operations and functions. Coordinate department, and county-wide comments and draft agency response letters for management signature. Coordinate inter-agency review processes
- Negotiate the environmental review process and mitigation measures for complex and high-risk agency projects with other departments and jurisdictions
- Represent the section or division on inter-agency or inter-jurisdictional projects and meetings regarding environmental issues and impacts.
- Assist with developing strategies to facilitate public involvement in the environmental review and planning process. Make presentations to citizen groups and/or agencies or jurisdictions on environmental projects, processes, and outcomes. Respond to requests for information by governmental planning and regulatory agencies. Prepare summaries of complex technical information and findings for non-technical audiences
- Demonstrate a commitment to equity and sustainability. Promote an equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment and support diversity and inclusion goals
- Work with staff to develop and implement policies and procedures for environmental review and compliance. Make recommendations to management on budgetary, staffing, and other internal agency needs
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning or related field, and progressive experience OR any combination of education and experience that provides the ability to perform the duties of the position
- Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and proficiency in their application
- Advanced knowledge of regulatory performance standards and measures (including field equipment) used to determine environmental impacts and conditions associated with transit facilities or operations, particularly air and water quality, noise levels, and traffic congestion and proficiency in their application
- Advanced knowledge of analytical methodologies, current FTA guidance on NEPA, environmental assessment guidelines, and GIS-based programs
- Knowledge of cultural resource protection laws and the Model Toxic Control Act (MTCA)
- Knowledge of project management practices
- Knowledge of local government budgeting, procurement, and local environmental procedures
- Knowledge of technical, engineering, and/or scientific disciplines related to public facilities and infrastructure
- Knowledge of government contracting and federal grantee responsibilities
- Skill in leading and/or providing direction to staff
- Skill in evaluating technical concepts and making recommendations
- Skill in conflict resolution
- Ability to work well and respectfully with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
- Ability to motivate others to initiate and/or take action
- Ability to perform research and data analysis
- Ability to think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, and to analyze and draw logical conclusions
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite
Desirable Qualifications
- Master's degree in Environmental Planning or related field
Work Environment
Work is primarily performed in an office environment with occasional field visits involving monitoring or testing for noise, hazardous materials, historic preservation and other environmental support activities. Selected candidate may travel occasionally to out of office meetings.- Supplemental Information
Application Process
Applicants should complete the application at www.kingcounty.gov and attach or paste a resume and writing sample as described above. NOTE: Please answer ALL questions in the employment application portion, with each of your jobs listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc. Your job history in the employment application must go back ten years (if you have ten years of employment). Earlier jobs should be included if they are relevant to this job. If you have questions about this, please contact Mara Cardenas as stated above. If you are looking for technical support with your application please call 1-855-524-5627 to reach a specialist. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Tips On Applying at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.
If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the Human Resources contact for this job announcement, Mara Cardenas, at 206-477-2358 or mara.cardenas@kingcounty.gov.
Selection Process
Applications will be screened for qualifications, clarity and completeness. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in a written test and one or more interviews. Final selection will be subject to acceptable employment references.
Union Membership
This position is represented by the Technical Employees Association.
Class Code: 2423300 (Transit Environmental Planner III)
King County Metro Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. King County Metro encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people of all ages, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Thank you for your interest in this employment opportunity. In applying for this job, please follow the instructions provided on filling out your employment application. Data fields provided should all be completed. This includes, but is not limited to: • the education and work experience sections of your employment application (do not merely refer to your resume). • A description of each position that you have held in the last ten years. If you held more than one position with an employer, please list each job separately, showing the dates of employment in each position. You should also include jobs that are prior to the last ten years if they were relevant to your qualifications. • For each position listed, state the month and year in which you started and in which you ended it, and your reason for leaving the position. If you have been terminated from any previous jobs, please state the specific reasons why. Your application, along with your resume, will be used to determine whether you meet the qualifications and/or are competitive for this position. If you have any questions about this, please contact the HR Analyst identified in the job announcement. I have read the above statement and certify that the statements made by me on the application are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information.
- Yes
- No
02This selection process will be used to fill an immediate career service opportunity. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future similar career service, term limited temporary (TLT) and short term temporary positions that may occur in the next 12 months within the Transit Division. Please indicate which position(s) you would like to be considered for. Please select all that apply.- The current opening, filled as a career service position
- Future Term Limited Temporary (TLT) positions if such positions arise over the following 12 months
- Future Career Service (regular position) positions if such positions arise over the following 12 months
- Future Short Term Temporary (STT) if such positions arise over the following 12 months
03As the posting states, a resume, and writing sample are required to be attached/included to this application as a part of the application process. If you have not yet attached/included your documents, you may still go back and do so before your final submission of the application. Are you attaching your resume and writing sample?- Yes
- No
04The minimum qualifications for this position starts with "Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning or related field, and progressive experience OR any combination of education and experience that provides the ability to perform the duties of the position." Please indicate which best describes your qualifications for these positions:- Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning or related field, and progressive experience
- Combination of education and experience that provides the ability to perform the duties of the position
- None of the above
05Please briefly summarize how your experience and education match the selection you made in the question above. Please put "N/A" if you do not have experience.06Please select which of the following additional minimum requirements you meet. (Check all that apply)- Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and proficiency in their application
- Advanced knowledge of regulatory performance standards and measures (including field equipment) used to determine environmental impacts and conditions associated with transit facilities or operations, particularly air and water quality, noise levels, and traffic congestion and proficiency in their application
- Advanced knowledge of analytical methodologies, current FTA guidance on NEPA, environmental assessment guidelines, and GIS-based programs
- Knowledge of cultural resource protection laws and the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA)
- Knowledge of project management practices
- Knowledge of local government budgeting, procurement, and local environmental procedures
- Knowledge of technical, engineering, and/or scientific disciplines related to public facilities and infrastructure
- Knowledge of government contracting and federal grantee responsibilities
- Skill in leading and/or providing direction to staff
- Skill in evaluating technical concepts and making recommendations
- Skill in conflict resolution
- Ability to work well and respectfully with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
- Ability to motivate others to initiate and/or take action
- Ability to perform research and data analysis
- Ability to think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, and to analyze and draw logical conclusions
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite
- I do not meet any of the minimum qualifications listed
07Do you have a Master's degree in Environmental Planning or a related field?- Yes
- No
Required Question