Senior Environmental Specialist-Due Diligence

Salary range is $81K to $170K with a midpoint of $118K. Total compensation includes project-based premiums that reflect project complexity, political sensitivity, size, and strategic importance. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint of the base range, however, we may go higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under minimal direction, performs a variety of senior environmental and hazardous materials professional level functions and analysis in assigned functional areas, manages the acquisition of environmental due diligence services and development of remediation strategies for contaminated sites, ensures environmental compliance for Sound Transit projects related to remediation of contaminated real estate; ensures compliance with all federal, state and local environmental regulations, local hazardous material related regulations; maintains effective working relationships with other agencies and Sound Transit partners including the Washington Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Puget Sound Clean Air Authority, King County, Pollution Liability Insurance Agency; and provides strategic advice to project managers on environmental compliance and due diligence issues. Acts as a resource for the Operations department’s environmental compliance questions and collaborates to assure compliance with environmental regulations and conformance with Environmental and Sustainability requirements. Leads the development and implementation of Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) procedures to assist in the compliance with ISO 14001 certification. Mentors and advises environmental hazardous materials, remediation and compliance staff and operations staff regarding environmental matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Manages preparation and completion of environmental due diligence documentation for a variety of Sound Transit projects for Sounder Commuter Rail, STRIDE bus rapid transit, and Link Light Rail to ensure that the Agency complies with local, state and federal environmental regulations including the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Cleanup and Liability Act (CERCLA) and associated environmental regulations; ensures the environmental due diligence investigations, documentation, and processes meet legal requirements.
• Manages consultants and consultant contracts (including MATOC) for environmental services such as Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental site assessments, hazardous building material surveys, remediation cost estimates, and remedial action plans; procures consultant contracts; develops and manages scopes, schedules, and budgets; oversees contracts and assures contract compliance on assigned projects; develops recommendations on consultant services and other project needs, advises project managers of project conflicts and proposes resolution; contracts management includes reviewing and approving invoices; secures contract change orders as required; and coordinates communications among agency staff and contractors.
• Evaluates proposed agency actions and reviews actions by other agencies affecting Sound Transit facilities and determines the need and level of appropriate environmental review and documentation for compliance with CERCLA and MTCA.
• Supports implementation of environmental remediation commitments based on environmental review; reviews contract documents (drawings and specifications) to ensure project is complying with environmental commitments, coordinates with project managers and other agencies and local jurisdictions.
• Manages environmental due diligence activities for Sound Transit projects beginning with critical input during project development; reviews planning documents related to hazardous materials; assists with early screening of alternatives; determines potential environmental remedial expenses for proposed projects; provides input on preliminary project schedules; oversees environmental consultant support for the environmental due diligence effort including negotiating scopes and budgets, leading regular coordination meetings, tracking schedules and spending, and reviewing work products. Interfaces with real property agents and real estate appraisers to assist in the acquisition of real property for all Agency capital projects.
• Makes periodic site visits to construction sites to ensure the project is being implemented according to the permits and best management practices and to Sound Transit facilities, particularly maintenance facilities and other waste storage locations to ensure compliance with regulations and conformance with the Environmental and Sustainability requirements.
• Collaborates with capital delivery staff to meet environmental compliance requirements.
• Leads the Environmental Compliance Division involvement with Sound Transit’s Environmental Sustainability Management System (ESMS), which may entail participation through the Steering Committee or other technical working groups; researches and assists in the management of the various ESMS initiatives; develops and helps to achieve annual sustainability targets and helps to educate staff about the ESMS.
• Provides support to the Office/Department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

education and Experience: Bachelors Degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology or other sciences, Environmental Studies or closely related field. Ten years of experience in area of assignment which includes managing or overseeing environmental site assessments, hazardous building material surveys, remediation cost estimates, and remedial action plans; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Valid state driver’s license. This person will need to go out to our sites where we don’t have public transit yet.

Preferred Licenses and Certifications

• Certification as Professional Engineer or Geologist.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Environmental and land use laws and regulations and practices related to compliance.
• Environmental management and policy.
• Operations, services and activities of an environmental due diligence program.
• State and federal environmental laws, regulations, and industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues such as compliance with CERCLA, MTCA, and air quality conformity.
• Current trends and professional literature in the area of environmental planning, due diligence and remediation.
• Project management techniques and principles.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Applying principles and practices of state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
• Interpreting and applying state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and industry practices, policies and procedures as they relate to environmental issues.
• Communicating environmental and technical issues to the public in community outreach settings.
• Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions.
• Resolving a variety of environmental issues.
• Contract management and administration.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Responding to inquiries in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
• Preparing and reviewing consultant scopes, budget and schedules.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office, field, shop, warehouse, and transit environemt.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.