Environmental Project Planner I or II - Atlanta, TX

The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking an Environmental Project Planner I or II in Atlanta, TX. This role involves leading transportation projects focused on sustainability and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include managing resources, collaborating with stakeholders, and coordinating environmental planning activities. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits such as flexible work schedules, and emphasizes work-life balance. Applicants should have strong project management skills and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Position Information

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment? TxDOT's Atlanta District Planning Office is seeking a dedicated and innovative Environmental Project Planner I or II to join our dynamic team.

In this role, you will lead and coordinate transportation projects aimed at promoting sustainability, reducing environmental footprints, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Your expertise will be crucial in developing strategies, managing resources, and collaborating with stakeholders to meet our mission of: Connecting You with Texas! If you are driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship and possess strong project management skills, we would love to hear from you!

The District Planning Office is composed of subject matter experts in areas critical to project delivery including environmental planning activities. If you want to be part of a team that delivers mobility projects for the Atlanta District that are important at both Local and State levels, apply today!

Position Title

Salary Grade/Range

ENV Project Planner I

B20, $51,158.00 - $81,351.00/year

ENV Project Planner II

B22, $57,614.00 - $93,138.00/year

This position is for an ENV Project Planner I or II. The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on applicant's work experience, education, skill level, all other appropriate factors and based on business needs.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:
• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Coordinates and manages environmental planning activities associated with transportation projects for the Department. Work includes serving as the liaison with state and federal resource agencies, environmental and special interest groups, consultant staff, and internal project sponsors. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision of details; may perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

ENV Project Planner I
• Consults and coordinates with districts project managers, planners, engineers, and environmental staff on refinement of projects to avoid and minimize environmental impacts.
• Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public, and Department personnel related to environmental resources.
• Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological, water, geological, socioeconomic, environmental justice, protected lands, and cultural (historic and archeological) resources.
• Prepares and reviews routine environmental related schedules, scopes of work, and deliverables for project delivery prepared by department staff and/or consultants.
• Prepares technical studies, in support of categorical exclusions, to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews environmental schedules, scopes of work, and deliverables for project delivery prepared by department staff and/or consultants for engineering and/or scientific services contracts.
• Reviews, evaluates, monitors, and/or approves consultant work related to environmental studies.
• Schedules and coordinates public involvement activities for related environmental/planning projects and environmental/planning studies.
• Monitors and researches current and proposed relevant environmental technical studies, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Conducts and/or coordinates field surveys, assessments, and/or project investigations for incorporation into environmental technical studies.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

ENV Project Planner II
• Conducts and/or coordinates field surveys, assessments, and project investigations for incorporation into environmental technical studies and environmental documents.
• Reviews and recommends for approval for contracts, subcontracts, procurement documents, supplements, agreements, time extensions, acceptance testing/deliverable documents, and consultant qualifications for engineering and scientific services contracts related to environmental studies.
• Reviews, approves, and/or prepares complex environmental schedules, scopes of work, and deliverables for project delivery prepared by department staff and/or consultants for engineering and/or scientific services contracts.
• Prepares technical studies, categorical exclusions, and environmental assessments to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Consults and coordinates with districts project managers, planners, engineers, and environmental staff on refinement of projects to avoid and minimize environmental impacts.
• Consults and coordinates with representatives of regulatory agencies, special interest groups, the public, and Department personnel related to environmental resources.
• Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological, water, geological, socioeconomic, environmental justice, protected lands, and cultural (historic and archeological) resources.
• Reviews, evaluates, monitors, and/or approves consultant work related to environmental studies.
• Schedules and coordinates public involvement activities for related environmental/planning projects and environmental/planning studies.
• Monitors and researches current and proposed relevant environmental technical studies, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline. ( Related experience in environmental, planning, project management or other related fields may be substituted for education. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications )

Experience:

ENV Project Planner I: No experience required.

ENV Project Planner II: 3 YEARS environmental, planning, project management or other relevant experience. ( Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent)

Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Competencies:

Knowledge of:
• Environmental laws, regulations, and mitigation requirements
• Writing methodologies and strategies to develop and implement appropriate informational and educations materials related to environmental studies and activities

Skill in:
• Administration support practices and procedures to include writing, editing and report writing techniques, recording meeting notes, record keeping, and records management.
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others.
• Using computer applications including (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat) or related applications and systems
• Collecting, analyzing, and organizing business and technical data
• Researching, analyzing, developing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and technical information specific to functional areas.
• Planning, leading, coordinating, monitoring, handling, and establishing goals and objectives for multiple environmental programs/projects within area of responsibility to meeting short and long term deadlines.

Ability to:
• Build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and coalitions and negotiating settlement of differences without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Talking- expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Repetitive Motion - substantial movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity- work includes data/figures; view and computer screen; extensive reading
• Visual Acuity- determine work qualify/ make general observations of facilities/structures

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.