Environmental Policy Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Transportation:
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state's quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you.
Role Overview:
As a member of the Document Review Unit of the Environmental Policy Section, employee is responsible for the timely and thorough review of the environmental review documents prepared for the projects to which they are assigned. Employee is often assigned tasks involving the review of various levels and types of environmental documents generally within an abbreviated time period. Employee is also, on a regular basis, assigned numerous other mission related tasks that are necessary for the efficient functioning of the Environmental Policy Office and the Environmental Services Division (ESD).
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Reviews all levels and types of environmental documents that have been prepared by others so that they may receive the approval of the appropriate authority. Those documents will have been prepared so that they are of high quality in both content and format by following the INDOT manual standards, standard operating procedures and any applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides response to NEPA-related inquiries from district environmental staff, consultants, and other agency staff (i.e. project managers, engineers, designers, etc.).
• Subject matter expert for one or more of the following areas: staff training; traffic noise assessments; public involvement; 4(f) and 6(f); purpose and need, and alternatives analysis; manages specialized interdivision coordination for excess parcels; procedural and CE manuals, and guidance change processes; air quality conformity and MSATs; STIP, TIP, MPOs, and planning; PEL studies; Section 7 consultation; waters of the state, ecological and natural resources; community impacts and protected classes, and Section 106.
• Provides technical assistance and consultation to engineers, government officials, environmental specialists, LPA's and private firms regarding laws, regulations, practices and procedures for the Environmental Policy Program. Collaborates with the team lead and senior environmental documentation specialist on emerging issues including changes to laws, regulations, and policy as pertaining to the NEPA program.
• Participates two or more times a year in the office's training efforts, involving the presentation of information and the answering of questions pertaining to assigned topics in a workshop that is attended by other INDOT personnel, contract consultants, LPAs and LPA consultants as well as other State and Federal agency personnel. Maintains positive relationships with consultant document preparers, and evaluates the performance of those prepares for documents submitted to the agency.
• Participates in the annual Quality Assurance Review (QAR) review process to ensure that the quality of the environmental documents prepared for INDOT and LPA projects are of a quality that satisfies the requirements of the INDOT manuals, standard specifications and any other applicable laws and regulations.
• Serves as an agency representative in meetings with resource agencies, at public meetings, on committees and at conferences. This includes speaking to a variety of audiences in a variety of formats.
• Prepares environmental documents for a limited number of projects (i.e. non-construction projects, excess parcels, etc.).
• Works with FHWA partners to ensure the compliance with interagency agreements (i.e. CEPA, 4(f), etc.).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Location:
This position is with INDOT's Central Office.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Serves as an environmental expert and provides guidance to regulated communities, government officials, attorneys and staff responsible for a variety of programs and program elements.
• Project Management: Performs project management duties to ensure effective and timely management of program area needs, attends meetings, and responds to telephone calls, e-mails, etc., as required. Acts as a technical point-of-contact for assigned programs administering environmental programs which may include, but not limited to, environmental media sampling, data analysis, technical writing, work plan and report preparation, technical reviews, etc.
• Permits: Researches state and federal guidance, laws, and regulations related to permits. Contacts applicants to request additional information to process applications, when necessary. Responds to comments from applicants, defends permit terms and conditions, and interacts with permittees to resolve permitting issues. Attends and participates in public meetings and hearings regarding permit actions throughout Indiana and/or appears in legal appeals of permit actions.
• Inspection: Conducts surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, reads plans, interprets findings, and cites appropriate violations of state and federal regulations. Provides technical and regulatory guidance to the regulated community in their assigned geographic area.
• Enforcement & Compliance: Uses all compliance, enforcement tools, and resources available to ensure that regulated sources return to compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards in a timely manner.
• Support Services: Works to support the various programs in assigned agency in multiple capacities.
• Sampling: Assists with the preparation of sampling and analysis work plans. Conducts field work as necessary following agency/section Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned sites.
• Technical Analysis & Testing: Conducts technical analysis and/or provides technical insights to assess environmental impacts with goals to meet state and national regulations.
• Outreach Coordination: Communicates effectively with responsible parties, consultants, and/or their representatives, affected stakeholders, and interested parties such as citizens, public officials, and interest groups in a courteous and professional manner regarding permits, laws, questions, and program-related inquiries.
• Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at those sites or employee's home. Employee reports to the agency's office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client's or customer's worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Broad knowledge of theories, environmental protection principles and practices, specialty area, and program area.
• Thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, mathematics, engineering, and other environmental sciences as they relate to program area.
• Thorough knowledge of soil, water, air sampling, laboratory analysis and interpretation as it relates to program area.
• Ability to conduct surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, read plans, interpret findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action.
• Excellent research and writing skills for preparing accurate, precise, clear, and thorough reports.
• Ability to effectively interact and orally communicate with parties with diverse levels of environmental expertise particularly for purposes of meetings, hearings, and negotiating critically sensitive issues.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal terminology and practices, and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations.

A degree is not required. However, at least five (5) years of environmental or environmental public health experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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