Senior Environmental Planner

Salary range is $78k to $170k, with a midpoint of $118k.  New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues

GENERAL PURPOSE:
This position is anticipated to work directly with the Federal Transit Administration in a role similar to the FTA’s Environmental Protection Specialist position for an initial 2-year period.

Under general direction, performs a variety of professional level environmental planning functions and analysis for geographical area of assignment; ensures environmental compliance of Sound Transit’s projects through various stages of environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), including project development, final design, permitting, construction, and operations; manages and coordinates assigned projects and contracts; develops scopes of work and schedules; and interacts with a variety of staff members, consultants and external agency and Tribal partners to complete projects or tasks.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Supports and oversees the environmental review for Sound Transit projects to ensure that the Agency complies with SEPA, NEPA and associated local, state, and federal environmental regulations; supports large projects by taking lead roles on selected issues including compliance with Environmental Justice requirements, Section 4(f) of the United States Department of Transportation Act of 1966, Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, development of mitigation strategies, and other resources as assigned; facilitates and coordinates with internal staff and outside stakeholders; provides information, solicits input, and presents Agency’s perspective or position; communicates with a range of internal and external stakeholders, researches and analyzes information, issues, environmental regulations and policies; processes and documents public and third party comments; coordinates the distribution and notification for environmental documents; maintains the Agency’s Administrative Record and documentation for projects; coordinates and administers environmental review for smaller projects.
• Provides support for environmental permitting for wetlands, streams and other natural resources and Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance processes.
• Provides support for Section 106 (National Historic Preservation Act) consultation and compliance processes. 
• Ensures that the Agency is meeting its environmental commitments related to the NEPA and SEPA environmental review process; supports the Agency in the implementation of its environmental commitments; reviews and ensures that projects’ contract specifications and drawings in