Lead NEPA Specialist - 90347735 - Philadelphia

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As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Lead NEPA Specialist coordinates and directs activities necessary for Amtrak to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental regulations and permit requirements. Responsibilities include developing strategies and providing regular coordination/document submissions to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA); overseeing contractors performing NEPA compliance activities; participating in and providing guidance to project teams developing Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments; indirectly providing guidance to environmental personnel in field operations as well as other Amtrak project managers and supporting staff monitoring and coordinating Amtrak NEPA activities; providing consulting and training to Amtrak project managers; and acting as liaison to the FRA and other federal agencies regarding NEPA compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Provide regulatory and technical guidance and direction to Amtrak Project Managers on NEPA compliance requirements for Amtrak projects throughout the Amtrak system.
• Stay current on NEPA-related laws and regulations applicable to Amtrak and advise on regulatory matters.
• Lead the development and submittal of the monthly Categorical Exclusion (CE) Requests to FRA. Develop CE worksheets in-house as needed and oversee/manage consulting firms developing documents, consultation letters, and scope development and deliverables reviews.
• Coordinate and communicate NEPA activities with FRA and other federal agencies.
• Support project managers with environmental permitting for construction projects as necessary
• Develop scopes of work and lead/direct contractors performing NEPA compliance activities.
• Track progress of Amtrak NEPA activities on a project specific basis, including satisfaction of environmental commitments/mitigation, and maintain the database Amtrak uses to track ongoing and upcoming projects.
• Coordinate NEPA activities with several Amtrak departments, including Grants, Engineering and Finance.
• Review NEPA documents prepared by other entities for potential impact on Amtrak properties, operations, or environmental responsibilities.
• Work closely with Amtrak’s Senior Historic Preservation Specialist to resolve cultural resources issues as they relate to NEPA, as well as to establish joint procedures and conduct training, develop consultant scopes of work, and coordinate projects.
• Work closely with Amtrak’s GIS and other technology teams to improve management of NEPA data.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences or planning, engineering or related science degree required (or equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience required (minimum of 10 years relevant experience in lieu of degree).
• Experience in project management for NEPA services associated with large construction projects or complex multi-project programs.
• Experience in project management for NEPA services associated with large construction projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Management of all phases of projects.
• Knowledge of complex environmental regulations, policies, and programs.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Project management experience and demonstrated knowledge of the NEPA process for complex projects.
• Experience in developing and conducting training programs for internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in the coordination of complex assignments with multiple departments.
• Experience in negotiation and serving as primary contact for regulators.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic environment with a range of stakeholders to meet NEPA compliance and project goals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Professional environmental or engineering certification.  
• Advance degree in environmental science, engineering, business or sustainability. 
• Experience working with GIS, Salesforce, or similar systems.
• Project management training and certification.
• 8 or more years of relevant experience preferred.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

PAY TRANSPARENCY:

 The salary/hourly range is $105,000-$115,200. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:162894
Posting Location(s):Pennsylvania

Work Arrangement:04-Hybrid Weekly 
Job Family/Function:Safety & Security 
Relocation Offered:No 
Travel Requirements:Up to 25% 

You power our progress through your performance.
 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.  

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.