DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING GROUP
205 S. 17th Avenue
Phoenix AZ, 85007

Salary: $80,000.00 - $85,479.00 
Anticipated Salary: $83,599.98

Grade: 25

Closing Date: December 1, 2025

Supports ADOT’s legal NEPA decision making authority and approval responsibility for highway projects under the 326 and 327 MOUs. This position manages a team in the Project Delivery Section of ADOT Environmental Planning.

Ensures compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, policies and formal guidance in conducting environmental document review and approvals, Section 4(f) documents; conducting quality control of environmental documents; presenting at public meetings and ensuring public notification and requirements are met; reporting/tracking of project deliverables; assisting with the updating of guidance; keeping informed of changes in laws, overseeing consultant contracts; coordinating with groups; field reviews, attending project meetings; implementing coaching, mentoring and training of staff.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Direct, manage team of direct reports and ensure the team’s timely delivery of environmental clearances for projects under 326 and 327 MOUs for the delivery of ADOT’s 5-year construction program and other state projects; serve as the environmental expert through the project
development process. Assist hiring staff, conduct on-boarding staff training. Perform supervisory administrative duties. Manage Quality Control reviews of NEPA documents including environmental technical reports, CEs, EAs, EISs and Section 4(f) documents to ensure legally defensible compliance with 326 and 327 MOUs and all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, Executive Orders, policies and formal guidance related to environmental review. Will drive State Vehicle during the scope of business.

Manage environmental studies for ADOT projects including Categorical Exclusions (CE), Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), State projects, and Section 4(f) documents. Manage consultants in overseeing CE, EA and EIS projects. Coordinate concerns and issues with project team members, stakeholders and agencies and negotiate resolutions/ escalations. Manage and assist/direct staff with the management of contracts, budgets, and contract performance. Provide status reports for management use for project delivery meetings for projects on ADOT's 5 year-construction program and other state projects. Assist in providing accurate historical tracking and reporting of project delivery for projects.

Review project engineering scoping documents (scoping letter, project assessments and design concept reports), engineering plans, special provisions and specifications. Review Clean Water Act/404 permits and other state permit requests. Will travel and overnight lodging during the scope of business when needed. Provide expertise and may present as technical subject matter at public hearings, meetings and other involvement practices. Evaluate and review all public involvement documentation and presentations. Provide review and response to public comments. Assist with continuous improvement and project streamlining/accelerated project delivery actions under AMS. Attend in-class, computer-based training and external training classes to remain current and proficient with regard to continuing changing environmental laws and regulations as related to federal environmental review. Review and maintain knowledge of new and updated environmental review formal guidance. Provide mentoring and coaching of staff with AMS.

Knowledge of:
*Knowledge of environmental laws, and regulations associated with the the National Environmental Policy Act; ADOT Project Development Process, highway development, management techniques, consultant contracts, specifications.

Skill in:
*Management,combination of education and experience that suggests the ability to successfully manage multiple projects.
*Skill to identify effective solutions to problems.
*Organizational skill to manage time effectively and perform under pressure.
*Verbal and written communication skills.
*Office automation skills to prepare correspondence, spreadsheets, documents and update multiple databases.
*Interpreting engineering plans, specifications, maps, and aerial photos and identifying potential environmental impacts environmental measures are incorporated into the plans, specifications and estimates.

Ability to:
*Provide leadership, guidance, coaching and mentoring.
*Develop and maintain relationships with subordinates, staff, agency managers, other government officials, and the public to resolve environmental issues.
*Be discrete regarding all personnel issues.
*Think clearly and respond appropriately in cases of emergencies or high-pressure situations, and the ability to stay calm and professional at all times.
*Effectively plan, organize, and perform complex analytical environmental analysis involving multi-professional disciplines and processes.
*Effectively communicate with employees, stakeholders, and the public.
*Able to travel overnight.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental planning, transportation planning or transportation engineering preferred.

Progressive levels of management experience a plus.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Valid Driver's License

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Mandatory participation in the Arizona Retirement System (ASRS) is required.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact ADOT Human Resources Recruitment via email at srecruitment@azdot.gov or phone call at (602) 712-8188 option 2.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 712-8188 option 3. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. ADOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.