Environmental Specialist #206308
Position Summary:
This position is located in Topeka, at the Eisenhower State Office Building, and is within the Bureau of Right of Way. This position exists to bring about KDOT compliance with the Threatened of Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, principally in the delineation of wetlands. Compliance with this legislation may require Section 7 consultation, a Section 404 permit or a State Wildlife permit. Wetland mitigation and/or habitat replacement may be a critical factor in the preferred design of a highway project.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
- Completes reviews and analyses of the location and engineering aspects of KDOT projects relative to wetlands, streams, riparian areas, threatened and endangered species, and designated critical habitat in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations concerning preservation of natural resources.
- Examines project scope along with existing wetland, stream, and wildlife information (technical literature, project files, maps, etc.) and performs limited consultations in order to determine if projects can be cleared of environmental concerns or if a more comprehensive analysis needs to be completed.
- Performs as necessary reconnaissance-type field work to verify whether or not wetlands, streams, and/or designated critical habitat is present in the immediate project area.
- Analyzes as necessary the study of wetlands, streams, and threatened and endangered species literature; study of aerial photographs, extensive field surveys using wetland identification evaluation procedures that are acceptable to FHWA and state and federal agencies involved with wetlands, streams, and wildlife; participation in extensive consultation; discussion of mitigation measures; and organizing and writing technical reports.
- Performs clearance of KDOT projects of environmental concerns either by the review or analysis process is required by state and federal laws.
- Coordinates KDOT construction and maintenance projects with federal and state agencies involved with wetlands, streams and wildlife at an early stage of project development, and throughout the life of the project as required by state and federal laws and regulations.
- Completes the coordination process through the use of conference correspondence, and personal communications in order to provide agencies with opportunities for input to the project; to exchange pertinent environmental information and to discuss and negotiate mitigation measures.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, geology or a related natural science is required.
Licensing & Certification:
- Valid Driver’s License at time of appointment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in ecology or wildlife.
- Formal training in application of wildlife, wetland, and stream information to engineering projects is desirable.
- Kansas Collecting Permit-Endangered Species, Kansas Collecting Permit-Wildlife Specimens.
- Knowledge of current wetland, stream, and habitat evaluation procedures, ability to interpret highway plans.
- Three years of wildlife field experience.
- Attend U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved Wetland Delineation Course and obtain Certification.
Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements
- Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Status.aspx.
- If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785)296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov