Environmental Quality Specialist 13 (Right-of-Way Environmental Specialist) - Bureau of Development

About the Department

Are you energized by solving complex environmental challenges and helping keep major transportation projects moving forward? Do you enjoy tackling technical problems, navigating environmental regulations and working collaboratively to develop practical solutions? As the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) next right-of-way environmental specialist, you'll serve as the department's statewide technical expert on environmental contamination, remediation and compliance. You'll play a critical role in supporting some of Michigan's largest transportation projects by helping project teams navigate unexpected environmental issues, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and developing solutions that protect both project schedules and the environment.

You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy solving technically complex problems while building strong relationships and communicating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Success comes from combining sound technical expertise with the ability to explain complex environmental requirements, guide project teams through challenging situations and help stakeholders understand the best path forward when contamination or regulatory issues arise. You'll often be the first to identify environmental concerns that may affect a project's scope, schedule or construction activities. Your ability to communicate those findings with professionalism, empathy and a solution-focused mindset will help project teams move from identifying a problem to developing a practical path forward. Working alongside project managers, consultants, contractors and regulatory agencies, you'll provide technical expertise and collaborative leadership that helps deliver safe, compliant and successful transportation projects across Michigan

As the next environmental quality specialist, you will be responsible for:

• Providing statewide technical service and support to ensure MDOT is in compliance with Part 201, 211 and 213 and determine the necessary steps to maintain compliance with contaminated soil, water and occasionally air that are encountered on MDOT projects and at MDOT facilities.
• Serving as MDOT's recognized expert on asbestos inspection, testing and abatement. Asbestos may be present in buildings that MDOT has purchased for right of way, bridge structures or other locations. 
• Providing statewide technical service and support to the department to ensure that MDOT is in compliance with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M, National Emission Standard for Asbestos Requirements. 
• Serving as project manager for construction and professional service contracts related to environmental testing, cleanup and remediation. 
• Serving as a subject matter expert on contaminated materials on projects. 
• Serving as the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) MIOSHA specification specialist.

Begin your journey with MDOT today!

The "Salary" listed above is a range that reflects the minimum rate through the maximum rate of the Environmental Quality Specialist 13 position.  

For additional information, please see the links below:

• Environmental Quality Specialist 13 position description
• All about MDOT

Based on operational needs and within established limits, remote work and alternate work schedule requests for this position may be considered. 

For information on benefits, visit www.mi.gov/employeebenefits or www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.  

The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.

Position Duties

Education

Possession of a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, engineering, environmental studies and sustainability, physical sciences, resource development, or resource management.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major with at least 30 semester (45 term) credits in one or a combination of the following: biochemistry, biology, botany, chemistry, crop and soil science, ecology, engineering, environmental health, environmental science, environmental studies and sustainability, forest management, geology, meteorology, microbiology, physical geography, physics, remote sensing, resource development, resource management, toxicology, or zoology.

Experience

Four years of professional engineering or scientific experience in an environmental protection or regulatory program equivalent to an Environmental Quality Analyst, including two years equivalent to an Environmental Quality Analyst P11 or one year equivalent to an Environmental Quality Analyst 12.

Other Qualifications

To be considered for this position you must: 

• Possess a valid driver's license. 

• If applicable, attach a copy of your official college transcripts and/or foreign degree evaluation with your application.Click here fortheState ofMichigan (SOM) definition ofanOfficial College Transcript.Applicants who possess foreign degrees must have their academic credentials evaluated or converted into U.S.educational equivalents.Civil Service accepts evaluations from organizations listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services orthe Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.

View the job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/E/EnvironmentalQualitySpecialist.pdf

MDOT does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

All newly hired state employees are required to submit and pass a pre-employment drug test and physical (if applicable) prior to their actual appointment. Criminal and driving records will also be checked if applicable. Any position offer will be conditional until results of the drug test, physical, criminal background, and driving records indicate eligibility for employment.  

The department reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.  

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process including, but not limited to, responses to application questions and responses to interview questions or exercises.

If you have questions related to this posting, please contact [email protected].

Benefits

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.  
More details on benefits for our new hires are below: 

 Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state’s military and veterans; rebuild our state’s infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems. 
 
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees’ annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits. 
 
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state’s contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc. 
 
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions. 
 
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child. 
 
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day. 
 
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums. 
 
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual. 
 
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income. 
 
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view  Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education. 
 
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan. 
 
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs. 
 
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek. 
 
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park—just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer. 
 
Updated: 2/28/24

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of MichiganDepartment Transportation Address 425 West Ottawa Street

Lansing, Michigan, 48909