Environmental Documentation & Permit Specialist; TPS, In-Training

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world’s longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking two Environmental Documentation & Permit Specialists (TPS3) in our Northwest Region! In this position, you will bring your passion for Washington State’s unique environmental resources, working across disciplines, and problem‑solving and strategic thinking to an interdisciplinary team of environmental professionals who support transportation project delivery in the most populous areas of Washington. This position serves as the environmental representative for transportation projects to support environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance throughout scoping, design, construction, and post‑construction operations.

You will apply your environmental policy experience and training through hands‑on collaboration with WSDOT staff, Federal, State and Local agencies, Tribal governments and the public.

• Complete NEPA and SEPA environmental review and permitting, including completing or facilitating the completion of environmental analysis and documentation required to complete environmental review, permitting, and environmental commitment tracking, to ensure compliance with numerous environmental laws and regulations.
• Identify and evaluate environmental effects of highway features, construction methods, and operating procedures of transportation facilities for WSDOT project teams.
• Work with WSDOT project teams to recommend strategies for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating impacts to protected resources.
• Perform fieldwork in support of project design, construction and post‑construction activities.
• Coordinate with federal, state, tribal and local agencies, as well as other project partners on projects following WSDOT communication protocols.
• Serve as primary environmental point of contact for project engineering offices.
• Develop and review environmental scope, schedule, and budget for assigned deliverables.
• Identify project risks and assumptions and make change‑management requests to project teams as needed.
• Perform Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) review of deliverables.
• Author Design Bid Build contract specifications.

Transportation Planning Specialist 3 (TPS3) Level

Qualifications:

• Environmental Regulatory Framework Expertise: Advanced knowledge of environmental laws and regulations, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and state/local environmental permitting frameworks.
• Environmental Permitting Development and Compliance: Demonstrated expertise in environmental permit development, review, and compliance, including preparing technical permit applications, impact analyses, and supporting documentation. Experience interpreting engineering plans, environmental design documents, and technical drawings, and identifying environmental constraints and permitting requirements.
• Environmental Data Analysis and Regulatory Interpretation: Proficient in analyzing environmental data and translating findings into regulatory compliance recommendations. Competency in evaluating project impacts and recommending mitigation, avoidance, or minimization measures consistent with regulatory standards and best practices.
• Advanced Technical and Regulatory Writing: Advanced technical writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, defensible, and well‑organized technical documents for regulatory agencies, project teams, and the public.
• Project Coordination: Skilled in project coordination, including tracking multiple permits, identifying compliance…