Environmental Project Planner I or II - Abilene, TX

TxDOT is looking for an Environmental Project Planner I, or II for the Abilene District Office. If you are looking to build a career, you have come to the right place!

At TxDOT we strive to achieve a work-life balance and recognize the importance of your career as well as your home life. We offer a wide array of programs and activities including compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, career development programs, tuition assistance and many other benefits.

Also, check out a few of our employees’ testimonies of why they’ve chosen TxDOT:  Why we choose TxDOT

Considering moving to Abilene, TX?  Here is a link to Abilene’s Chamber of Commerce’s Relocating webpage to learn more about this growing little town!  Abilene Chamber of Commerce

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)

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.

Salary Plan/Grade:

•    Environmental Project Planner I:    B22 ($57,614.00 - $93,138.00/yearly)
•    Environmental Project Planner II:    B24 ($65,104.00 - $106,634.00/yearly)
 

The essential duties for the Environmental Project Planner I and II 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 permit and licenses with resource and regulatory agencies related to environmental resources.
•    Distributes environmental education material.
•    Evaluates potential environmental impact of transportation projects on noise, air, hazardous materials, biological, water, geological, socioeconomic, environmental justice, 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/or consultants.
•    Prepares routine environmental related reports and technical analyses, illustrating data graphically and translating technical information into written text.
•    Prepares technical studies, in support of categorical exclusions, to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
•    Schedules and coordinates public involvement activities for related environmental/planning projects and environmental/planning studies.
•    Conducts and/or coordinates field surveys, assessments, and/or project investigations for incorporation into environmental technical studies.
•    Performs other job responsibilities as assigned. This position requires driving a state vehicle

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 for an Environmental Project Planner I: No experience required.

Experience for an Environmental 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.

The required competencies for the Environmental Project Planner I include:

•     Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
•     Using computers, 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 area

Additional Competencies for Environmental Project Planner II:

•    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
•    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
•    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
•    Manage, monitor, evaluate, and report on environmental programs and project activities

The physical requirements and working conditions for the Environmental Project Planner I, and II include:

•    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 movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
•    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)
• 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.
• 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