Environmental Project Planner II or III Austin District Headquarters (Austin, TX)

Make a Difference, Join TxDOT!

Do you enjoy working within teams of experts on complicated projects? Are you motivated by challenges and not afraid to take on new endeavors? Are you ready to serve the public through impact minimization and community engagement by being a part of the planning and development of transportation projects in Central Texas?  Do you have an interest in environmental planning and the National Environmental Policy Act?  If you answered yes to those questions, consider joining TxDOT!

TxDOT's Austin District Headquarters is looking for one Environmental Project Planner II or III – Environmental Project Manager to join our team in Austin, TX. The position will provide experience in planning, the environmental and design process, public involvement, and natural resources.

The ideal candidate is someone who values public service and has a demonstrated understanding of environmental planning.

This position is for ONE Environmental Project Planner II or III – Environmental Project Manager. The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of the position based on the applicant’s work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

• Salary Plan/Grade: 
• Environmental Project Planner II – B22 ($57,614 – $93,138/yearly)
• Environmental Project Planner III - B25 ($69,572 – $114,099 /yearly)

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)

As an Environmental Project Planner – Environmental Project Manager, you will be working within a diverse team of professionals composed of engineers, geologists, biologists, historians, archaeologists, and others to provide expertise, direction, and oversight related to NEPA and state environmental processes for transportation projects. You will facilitate the avoidance, minimization, and mitigation of environmental and community impacts during the project design process. You will conduct environmental analysis to understand impacts related to air quality, noise, biological resources, waters of the US and wetlands, hazardous materials, and the community. You will manage environmental activities and ensure projects are properly scheduled and managed for risk. This work requires engagement with private citizens, elected officials, governmental agencies, and all levels of TxDOT management and staff. This work requires a motivated professional with high levels of initiative and responsiveness.

Essential Responsibility for an Environmental Project Planner II or III include:

• Represents the Department regarding routine environmental issues.
• 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.
• Coordinates and processes permits and licenses with resource and regulatory agencies related to environmental resources.
• Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological, water, geological, socioeconomic, protected lands (Section 4(f), Section 6(f), and Chapter 26), 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 consultants.
• Prepares routine environmental related reports and technical analyses, illustrating data graphically and translating technical information into written text.
• Schedules and coordinates public involvement activities for related environmental/planning projects and environmental/ planning studies.
• Conducts and coordinates field surveys, assessments, and project investigations for incorporation into environmental technical studies.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Additional responsibilities for an Environmental Project Planner III include:

• Develops, writes, revises, approves, and prepares contracts, statements of work, work authorizations, amendments, supplements, forms, and related documents including spreadsheets and financial/statistical graphs and reports related to environmental studies.  
• Prepares technical studies, categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline. Experience in environmental, planning, project management or other related fields may be substituted for education on a year per year basis OR related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

• Environmental Project Planner II: 3 YEARS* environmental, planning, project management or other relevant experience 
• Environmental Project Planner III: 5 YEARS* environmental, planning, project management or other relevant experience
• *(Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)

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

Competencies:

Competencies for an Environmental Project Planner II or III Include:

• Writing methodologies and strategies to develop and implement appropriate informational and educational materials related to environmental studies and activities
• Environmental laws, regulations, and mitigation requirements.
• Planning, leading, coordinating, monitoring, handling, and establishing goals and objectives for multiple environmental programs/projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long term deadlines
• Build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and coalitions and negotiating settlement of differences without damaging relationships; applying effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions in a direct and diplomatic manner
•  Manage, monitor, evaluate, and report on environmental programs and project activities

Additional competencies for an Environmental Project Planner III:

• Air quality, archeological resources, biological resources, community impacts, non-archeological historic resources, hazardous materials, or water resources management methods and procedures. 
• Construction, maintenance and operation of transportation facilities.

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
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Visual Acuity-determine work quality/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)

• 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.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information