Environmental Specialist at CSS Inc. – Charleston, South Carolina

CSS-Inc. may have multiple openings for Environmental Specialists to support NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (OCM). These positions will support OCM in efforts to advance compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) provision, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Work includes environmental planning, policy, budgetary, technical, regulatory, and information management support for the development, execution, and evaluation of environmental programs, projects, and systems.

All positions are contingent upon contract award to CSS.

Locations vary, but typically allow for fully remote work within a defined geographic jurisdiction.

Specific responsibilities and tasks will include:

• Apply knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and guidance that affect the NEPA process, including drafting and supporting the development of associated documentation.
• Review funding applications and associated tasks or projects, contract actions, Memoranda of Understanding to confirm NEPA and environmental compliance requirements.
• Provide technical assistance to OCM staff, as needed, to clarify required documentation and to address questions regarding consultations with NOAA or other agencies.
• Assist staff in adhering to standard procedures established for key environmental statutes.
• Review draft environmental compliance documentation for quality and completeness and provide comments or recommended edits.
• Assemble content for and/or assist development of draft and final Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) or Environmental Assessments (EAs) and/or programmatic consultation documents, in consultation with OCM's federal Environmental Compliance Coordinators (ECCs) and other subject matter experts.
• Support and may lead communication, training, facilitation, and outreach efforts.
• May attend events and present on behalf of NOAA.
• Some travel may be required for meetings, site visits, and workshops, as well as occasional local travel.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental policy/studies, environmental management, socioeconomics, natural resource management, or a related field.
• 2-8+ years of relevant professional experience in environmental policy/studies, environmental management, socioeconomics, or natural resource management.
• Experience in environmental planning, policy, technical, and regulatory support for the Federal Government preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with EISs and EAs, and with consultations related to the ESA, EFH, and NHPA.
• Experience with marine and coastal environmental issues strongly preferred.
• Experience with stakeholder outreach and engagement, especially relating to environmental issues.
• The successful candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, manage time to achieve project objectives to meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to pass a National Agency Check and fingerprinting background check and maintain it through the duration of employment.

At CSS, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and merit-based workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, ensuring that hiring and employment decisions are based on qualifications, skills, and performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.