PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE (PDP) - Environmental Protection Specialist

Environmental Protection Specialist

Under the DOT Recent Graduates Program, this position, in the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Professional Development Program (PDP), provides up to 24-months of entry-level career development training for participants to learn and apply technical skills to advance the Nation's highway program. Participants matriculate through assignments with seasoned professionals (PDP coaches) as apprentices through mentored on-the-job training in the Environmental field.

The apprentice experience will occur in one of FHWA's offices which has agreed to develop and provide on-the-job training to the participant through a structured set of learning experiences described in the participant's developmental plan.

As a newly-hired recent graduate serving as an Environmental Protection Specialist in the PDP, you will:

• Participate in the program with a focus on environmental policies and programs; air quality and transportation conformity; bicycle, pedestrian, trails and enhancements; noise; sustainable transport and climate change; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); and project development and mitigation.
• Train to serve as a policy and technical advisor on program-and project-related issues associated with the Federal-aid Highway Program.
• Assist with ensuring that State Department of Transportation's (SDOT's) develop and deliver Federal-aid transportation projects and programs appropriately while meeting social, economic, and environmental requirements.
• Be expected to complete three major components including apprentice experience, developmental assignments, and a professional development academy.
• Participate in public involvement programs. Attend public hearings, agency meetings, and technical discussions to obtain information and data that have an impact on highway programs and projects. Prepare and present technical findings and project information.

The ideal candidates have completed a Master's degree in Environmental Science, or a related field that is applicable to this job series, and are seeking challenging assignments that will develop his/her knowledge of, and skill in applying, fundamental transportation laws, principles, systems, policies, methods, and practices pertaining to environmental protection programs.