Transportation Specialist 1 - Associate Ecologist

JOB SUMMARY: Under supervision, provides entry level professional support in environmental services

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:  

Under close supervision as an entry level professional, learn the processes employed by the Department for evaluating the ecological effects of proposed transportation projects. Duties include learning to perform habitat analyses, conduct protected species surveys, and delineate streams & wetlands.  Once ecological resources are identified, learn to coordinate with designers to avoid and minimize impacts to ecological resources.  Once an alternative is identified, learn to prepare reports in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and coordinate with state and federal agencies to obtain approval in advance of project construction.  Also learn to review documentation prepared by environmental consultants.   

Obtain a basic knowledge of state and federal laws related to ecological resources, specifically the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Georgia Wildflower Preservation Act, and the Georgia Endangered Wildlife Act.  As an entry level professional with the Georgia Department of Transportation, also gain a basic understanding of transportation planning and engineering principles.

Additional duties include:

• Perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Provide quality customer service.
• Make correct inferences from available information and select the appropriate rule, policy, or procedure to follow.
• Communicate and work effectively with internal and external staff in a professional, cooperative manner
• Communicate ideas and facts to individuals and groups.
• Adapt to change including new policies and procedures.
• Manage own time effectively while dealing effectively with multiple priorities.
• Recollect instructional information; to accurately apply new knowledge and skills learned in work performed.
• Commitment toward work and a high standard of ethical conduct.
• Travel statewide with occasional overnight stay.
• Occasionally work after normal business hours, as needed.
• Problem solve – generate and evaluate alternatives and to recommend a sound solution that relies on new methods and procedures if necessary.
• Work effectively with others to find mutually acceptable solutions.
• Other duties, as assigned.