Director - Environmental Permitting, Ecosystems, and Land Use

Salary range is $145k to $247k, with a midpoint of $196k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of the Deputy Executive Director of Capital Project Development, plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of environmental permitting, land use planning, and ecosystems staff; outlines strategy, manages resources, and establishes methods for supporting all projects during planning, design, pre-construction, construction, and operations and for addressing environmental and land use requirements and considerations; participates in the development of environmental and land use planning goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; maintains a thorough understanding of the environmental and land use permitting regulations, and other requirements and maintains effective relationships with agencies, regulators, and local jurisdictions that administer and enforce environmental programs applicable to Sound Transit.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads one of the core program areas in the Office of Environmental Affairs & Land Use.
• Collaborates with peers to integrate and align Environmental Permitting, Land Use Planning, and Ecosystem program staff with Sound Transit capital project development and delivery teams as appropriate.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the division and all related staff; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.
• Establishes schedules and methods for supporting all projects during all phases of project delivery, from planning through operations; identifies and forecasts resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; and allocate resources accordingly.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of the environmental and land use permitting processes and regulations in order to help ensure that environmental requirements are adequately addressed in a timely manner for Sound Transit's capital projects and facilities.
• Participates in the development of environmental and land use planning goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities and products for compliance with established policies and procedures; oversees compliance with relevant regulatory programs, third party regulations and jurisdictional permits.
• Oversees emergent situations; responds to and investigates reports from community members, affected property owners, agencies, regulators, inspectors, and businesses; recommends and approves corrective action; responds to and resolves difficult environmental issues; and briefs management on sensitive issues and prepares strategies to resolve them.
• Assists in overseeing performance and evaluates work carried out by staff, contractors, and consultants for compliance with Agency, departmental, and project objectives.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff as applicable; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Manages budgets for contract tasks; maintains records concerning projects and programs; and prepares reports on environmental activities.
• Provides support to the office Deputy Executive Director and others on matters as directed; participates on the Environmental and Land Use Office leadership team and helps develop and implement the overall strategic priorities for the Office; serves as staff on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and briefings to internal department leadership and the Sound Transit Board as needed; attends and participates in professional group meetings;
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Business Administration or related field; Eight years of relevant experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Land use and environmental permitting, and environmental compliance preferred.
• Natural resource impact evaluation and mitigation strategy experience preferred.
• Tribal government coordination and consultation protocols preferred.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Strategic policy management principles and practices.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office technology.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Supporting a comprehensive environmental program, including environmental impact assessment, environmental permitting, ecosystem mitigation and land use planning and permitting.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships and working cooperatively with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions.
• Strategic decision-making
• Contract management and administration. Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Effective, clear, and concise verbal and written communication. Presentation development and public speaking.
• Applying project management techniques and principles.
• Developing and monitoring department and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Utilizing software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid field and office environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.