Compliance Specialist (Environmental Scientist)

Job Description and Duties Under direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) as part of the Environmental Services Branch with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), the Environmental Scientist (Compliance Specialist) will assist with the administration and implementation of the Authority’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assignment Program, as assigned by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in the NEPA Assignment Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), pursuant to 23 USC 327. The Compliance Specialist assists with providing compliance guidance on NEPA, as well as other federal laws and regulations, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all currently approved and permitted project segments comply with permit conditions and assisting with NEPA and CEQA compliance for future segments, ensuring that all project segments are properly authorized, monitored, and implemented consistently with state and federal requirements. To ensure full environmental compliance during all phases of project development and construction, the incumbent will coordinate with all Environmental Services Branch units at the Authority, including contract and legal staff, as well as federal and state partners, consultants, and construction contractors. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: • Professional experience in environmental permitting or compliance. • Experience in research, planning, or consultation in environmental programs. • Experience with NEPA, CEQA, state and federal environmental laws and regulations, and environmental permitting; Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Sections 401, 402, and 404 of the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act. • Experience preparing or implementing Section 401/404 permits for construction or infrastructure projects in California. • Strong interagency collaboration skills demonstrated through interactive relationships with multiple state and federal resources and regulatory agencies. • Experience with design-build contracting and alternative delivery construction processes and methods. • Ability to work under tight deadlines to deliver complex environmental permits, authorizations, and approvals. • Experience demonstrating effective written and verbal communication in a professional environment. • Experience working within integrated multi-disciplinary teams. • Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, flexibility, judgment, and confidentiality. • Ability to follow and implement guidance and direction from a supervisor and demonstrate good judgment in knowing when to seek assistance and guidance from a supervisor or colleague. • Ability to represent the Authority in dealings with other government agencies and private entities in a way that reflects well on the Authority. • Possession of a bachelor’s or advanced degree with a major in biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline.