Environmental Scientist Advisor

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is committed to meeting or exceeding the needs and expectations of our customers. Our focus is on people: our customers, our employees, and our partners. We will continually improve both the delivery of our products and services and the processes that support that delivery to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound, and fiscally responsible transportation system that delivers economic opportunity and enhances the quality of life in Kentucky.

By joining our Department of Highways/Division of Environmental Analysis/Project Management Branch as a/an Environmental Scientist Advisor in Franklin County, you'll serves as a technical advisor to KY Transportation Cabinet staff and agency stakeholders in the implementation of scientific studies necessary to remain compliant with the Endangered Species Act and asseses projects for potential impacts to the environment on a statewide level. Serves as an expert in the development of guidelines and procedures relating to the Endangered Species Act and other environmental protection laws. Serves as an aquatic species expert for the Cabinet and provides guidance and recommendations on potential impacts to waters of Kentucky.

Holders of the Environmental Scientist Advisor position will complete tasks such as:

• Provides technical assistance on a statewide level for highway projects impacting streams and wetlands.

• Orders, edits, and prepares professional reviews of technical reports assessing impacts of existing and proposed highways and maintenace activities on endangered species. Coordinates with federal agencies like USFWS and FHWA on behalf of the KYTC.

• Negotiates contracts with consultants to perform biological surveys and prepare technical reports. Reviews invoices and approves payment based on percentage of work provided. Organizes and leads meetings with KYTC consultants and the resource agencies that regulate KYTC activities.

• Collects and analyzes scientific data to better inform projects on potential impacts to protected species communities and sensitive natural resources.

Holders of this job will obtain the following skills:

• Experience with the identification of federally listed species.

• Experience writing, editing and revising technical reports and documents intended for submittal to regulatory agencies.

• Experience coordinating meetings with resource agencies to discuss federal projects and their impacts to the environment.

Desired candidates possess the following requisite skills or experience applicable to the position:

• Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in a natural, biological or physical science.

• Five years of experience in natural resources, environmental control, or a related area. Graduate study in a natural, biological, or physical science will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Experience using ArcGIS.

• Experience sampling for and handling federally listed plants and animals.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in U.S. KYTC will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that KYTC has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or https://www.e-verify.gov/.

If you are looking for a rewarding career with a culture of employee involvement, where teamwork is the norm and measurement of performance is essential, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is for you!

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in a natural, biological or physical science OR Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree including or supplemented by 20 semester hours in a natural, biological or physical science.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Five years of experience in natural resources, environmental control, or a related area.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: Graduate study in a natural, biological, or physical science will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Experience in natural resources, environmental control, engineering, or a related area will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): NONE

Working Conditions

Work is typically performed in an office setting. Incumbents in this class may perform work in the field with frequent travel on a statewide basis. An incumbent in the position may be subject to adverse weather conditions, exposure to snakes and insects, water-borne pathogens, broken glass, rusty metal in streams, and hazards common to operation of electro-fishing equipment, which requires the following of safety procedures.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Andrew Logsdon at Andrew.Logsdon@ky.gov or 502-782-5021.