Department of Transportation

Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist - Direct Hire-SME

Lakewood, Colorado Full time

Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist - Direct Hire-SME

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Lakewood, Colorado

Salary Range: $121785 - $158322 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is in the Planning, Program, and Environment Branch, Central Federal Highway Lands Division (CFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in Lakewood, CO. The position is the principal advisor to Division Leadership on environmental, socio-economic, and historical and cultural impacts to Federal Lands projects.

Major Duties:

  • The Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist: Provides leadership in the development and implementation of new policies, work processes, and process improvements. Leads team members in the preparation, review and evaluation of NEPA documents and environmental documentation in accordance with 23 USC 139, and 23 CFR 771 and Section 4(f)documents in accordance with 23 CFR 774. Instructs and advises Division personnel concerning environmental issues and coordination actions required by proposed projects, and monitors the environmental elements during design and construction. Is responsible for the full impact of the applicable regulations, accepted environmental practices and procedures, able to discuss projects with compliance personnel, and obtain the best solution for the project in the existing environment. Advises CFLHD personnel concerning environmental issues and coordination actions required by proposed projects to expedite the projects and coordinates the monitoring of the environmental elements during design and construction. The ideal candidate for this position will have experience with highway transportation projects, coordination of environmental actions in a team environment, establishing successful partnerships with land management, environmental resource and/or regulatory agencies, and have effective communication and relationship-building skills. This position is a senior-level career professional who is experienced in applying National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and related laws and regulations. Experience managing a team of environmental and/or cultural resource professionals is desired.

Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience providing leadership, coordination, and support for environmental and/or cultural resources programs related to projects Experience managing and evaluating the effectiveness of environmental and/or cultural resources policies related to implementing projects. Experience as a subject matter expert representing an organization working with grantees, state and local governments, and/or community groups to effectively implement federal environmental and/or cultural resource regulations. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. Administration and Management - Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. Oral/Written Communication (*) - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Environmental Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to protect and improve the quality of the environment and its resources; and to monitor, control, abate, and prevent pollutants. For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Application Deadline: 2026-05-05