Position Summary:
The Director, Environmental Program Management is responsible for policies, programs, and technical assistance to promote effective transportation and environmental decision making on projects using principles and processes that satisfy FRA responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and other relevant Federal statutes. The incumbent directs a multidisciplinary staff of environmental protection and other technical specialists by providing management and leadership in the development and implementation of national policies, regulations, guidelines, standards, procedures, and techniques to assure that FRA provides its environmental approvals in accordance with the many laws governing FRA’s programs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Directs the development, evaluation, and promotion of enhanced approaches for integrating environmental decision making in transportation planning, programming, and projects. Disseminates information on improved processes for NEPA and transportation decision making to FRA offices and other interested parties.
- Provides assistance in identifying and resolving environmental disputes involving projects in the NEPA process.
- Oversees environmental policy development, which includes: (i) human & natural environmental policy, (ii) NEPA policy and regulations, and (iii) guidance and reporting coordination.
- Establishes and supports environment process pilot projects, in conjunction with state and FRA offices, to test and develop better decision-making in the planning/environmental process.
- Establishes policies and guidelines and promotes successful approaches for engaging citizens in project level involvement activities.
- Develops and promotes programmatic and project level approaches to accelerate, enhance, and integrate environmental decision making in transportation planning, programming, and projects. Establishes national goals, objectives, and priorities for interagency environmental coordination, the use of cooperating agencies, early resolution of conflicts, and “one-stop” environmental processing during project development.
- Oversees environmental project review for compliance with NEPA and other environmental laws and regulations for projects with FRA action, organized into: (i) Amtrak projects, (ii) mega/major projects, and (iii) national projects.
- Oversees coordination of FRA climate, resilience and energy policy.
- Promotes transportation planning, design, and construction practices that show a high level of sensitivity to the natural and community setting in which transportation decisions are made.
- Oversees cultural resources and preservation policy and project reviews, along with tribal and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) partnerships, and compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and related regulations, organized into: (i) Federal Preservation Officer (FPO) and program development, (ii) Amtrak projects, (iii) mega/major project agreements, and (iv) national project support.
Required Education & Experience:
- Demonstrated experience with environmental compliance, together with a thorough understanding of the roles of the various federal, state, and local government agencies charged with similar or related responsibilities, including statutory and regulatory requirements, programs, and statutes.
- The following competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Continual Learning, and Public Service Motivation.
- Demonstrated experience developing, planning and managing a multi-disciplinary effort, engaging government agencies, national transportation industry organizations, and professional and technical transportation associations, to develop a rail transportation system or other related transportation projects.
- This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Leadership Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating
- This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Leadership Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision
- This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Leadership Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management