Trainee Ecologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description Under the direction of a higher-level supervisor/manager, perform engineering and environmental related duties in the Environmental Group in support for design of highways and bridges for delivery of the Region's State-let and Local-let capital program.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Perform and oversee stormwater drainage engineering analysis and design for transportation projects, including hydrologic and hydraulic evaluations, runoff modeling, storm sewer and culvert design, closed drainage systems, drainage calculations, and preparation/review of reports, plans, profiles, details, specifications, and estimates for in-house and consultant-designed projects.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local stormwater regulations and permitting requirements; coordinate with regulatory agencies to obtain environmental permits and approvals.
• Research and evaluate environmental resources that may be affected by transportation projects, including wetlands, streams, endangered species, cultural, historic, and archaeological resources.
• Assist with analysis of environmental aspects of State and Local projects, including air/noise, hazardous materials, asbestos, endangered species, ecology, energy, and environmental justice.
• Conduct and coordinate environmental reviews and documentation associated with NEPA and SEQRA requirements, including Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), categorical exclusions, and related project development documentation.
• Assist with preparation, review, and tracking of NEPA categorical exclusion determinations in accordance with Department procedures and FHWA requirements.
• Prepare guidance documents, technical correspondence, and reports related to environmental review procedures, drainage engineering, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical expertise and recommendations to Department staff, consultants, and agencies on drainage and environmental matters.
• Participate in project meetings, special assignments, and priority transportation projects involving Department staff, consultants, and regulatory agencies.
• Use GIS and related tools to identify and evaluate environmental resources associated with transportation projects.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Engineer Trainee:
Either 1. a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology as listed below;
Or 2. proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time engineering experience as listed below.
As an Engineer Trainee, you will serve a 24-month traineeship that leads to Assistant Engineer, Grade 20. To advance to Assistant Engineer, you must have obtained proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) and successfully completed the requirements of the traineeship to the satisfaction of the appointing authority. At the discretion of the appointing authority, early advancement to the Assistant Engineer is possible if you have obtained your FE and have successfully completed twelve months of the traineeship. It is your responsibility to notify the appointing authority's personnel office upon obtaining proof of passing the FE. You may receive an increase in salary upon obtaining your FE. Information about this increase will be provided by the appointing authority.
Assistant Engineer:
Either 1. Proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) and a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher as listed below;
Or 2. proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) and one year of full-time qualifying engineering experience as listed below.
Qualifying degrees: Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Management, Construction Engineering Management Technology, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Transportation Planning and Engineering, or Engineering Science with a recognized concentration in any of the above listed engineering degrees.
Qualifying experience: One year of full-time engineering experience with transportation projects related to highways/roadways, railroads, bridges, airports, waterways, building structures, or traffic management and safety systems.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
Additional Comments Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt
The starting salary for an Engineer Trainee position is $66,951.
The starting salary for an Assistant Engineer is $97,673. This amount is comprised of an increased hiring salary of $84,173 with an additional geographic pay differential up to $13,500, specific to this title and location.
The maximum compensation for this position is $107,621. This amount is comprised of the standard job rate of $94,121 with an additional geographic pay differential of $13,500, specific to this title and location.
In addition, a Mid-Hudson Adjustment of $2,000 or a Downstate Adjustment of $4,000 may also apply depending on the location of the position.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name NYS DOT - REGION 11 - PERSONNEL
Telephone
Fax
Email Address dot.sm.r11.personnel@dot.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Department of Transportation
47-40 21st Street
City Long Island City
State NY
Zip Code 11101
Notes on Applying Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and current resume, titled by last name, with the Notice Number R11-26-14 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest no later than July 1, 2026 to: Via email: dot.sm.r11.personnel@dot.ny.gov
***PLEASE INCLUDE R11-26-14 IN THE SUBJECT LINE***