Experienced Senior, Environmental Services

Job Summary:

The Experienced Senior, Environmental Scientist supports environmental review and compliance activities for Puerto Rico projects subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing environmental documentation, coordinating technical reviews, and supporting project teams in achieving regulatory compliance. The role primarily supports U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, including Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT), helping ensure timely, accurate, and compliant project delivery.
 

Job Duties:

• Conducts and manages environmental reviews for moderately complex projects in compliance with NEPA, 24 CFR Part 58, and other applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements
• Prepares, reviews, and coordinates environmental documentation, including Environmental Review Records (ERRs), Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs), Requests for Release of Funds (RROFs), and required public notices
• Evaluates environmental impacts and develops appropriate avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures to support project compliance and decision-making
• Assists management in planning, coordinating, and monitoring environmental review activities to support project schedules, priorities, and program objectives
• Serves as a key point of contact with PRDOH, project teams, consultants, and regulatory agencies throughout the environmental review process
• Coordinates technical studies and integrates discipline-specific findings, including cultural resources, biological resources, hazardous materials, noise, floodplain, and wetland analyses, into project documentation
• Performs quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reviews to ensure environmental documentation is accurate, complete, and compliant with HUD requirements
• Provides technical guidance and support to project teams and junior staff on environmental compliance requirements and review procedures
• Supports agency consultations, public involvement activities, and interagency coordination required under applicable environmental laws and regulations
• Tracks project milestones, deliverables, and environmental review schedules to facilitate timely completion of project requirements
• Assists management with process improvements, development of standard templates, and implementation of best practices to promote consistency and efficiency across projects
• Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides mentorship and technical guidance to staff

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Urban and Environmental Planning, or Geography, required
• A graduate degree (Master’s or Juris Doctor) in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Policy, Public Administration (with an environmental focus), Natural Resources Management, Environmental Law, preferred
   

Experience:

• Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience supporting environmental review, compliance, or regulatory processes, required
• Strong knowledge of Puerto Rico’s natural resources, ecological systems, and environmental regulatory framework, with applicability to environmental review processes under federal and local requirements, preferred

Certifications/Licensure:

• N/A
   

Software:

• Demonstrated proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet analysis, and database applications, with the ability to manage and organize technical information effectively, required
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ESRI platforms (ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online) to support environmental analysis and documentation, preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe applications (Word, Excel, and PDF-based review/comment tools), preferred

Other Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, well-supported, and compliant environmental review documentation
• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state environmental laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and HUD environmental requirements under 24 CFR Part 58
• Familiarity with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and its application to environmental compliance, documentation standards, and federal program requirements
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure accuracy, consistency, and regulatory compliance in environmental documentation
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, priorities, and concurrent workflows in a fast-paced, client-focused project delivery environment