This position is only open to Colorado state residents.
New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.
About the Position
This position is part of the CDOT Region 1 Environmental Unit Unit. This position ensures compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and the Colorado State Register Act for transportation related projects for Region 1. The position coordinates clearances with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), other federal agencies, and consulting parties following a range of specified standards and established practices. The position provides guidance to local agencies, CDOT personnel and consultants on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance process. The position participates in various meetings and may manage environmental project clearances and/or applied research for environmental streamlining and mitigation for projects.
Major Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Provides guidance regarding the NEPA, specifically regarding Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the US DOT Act of 1966, and Colorado State Register Act at the regional and/or statewide level.
- Responsible for compliance with Section 106 and Historic Section 4(f), which involves coordination with multiple federal, state and local agencies (e.g. the SHPO, ACHP, FTA, and FHWA).
- Prepares full Section 4(f) evaluation reports with input and direction from an EPS III/IV.
- Defines initial Area of Potential Effect (APE), identifies consulting parties, and establishes survey methodology to support transportation project delivery within cost, scope, and schedule.
- Conducts research and evaluates significance and integrity of the resources for National Register (NR) eligibility. This can include historic or historic archaeological sites, structures, objects, buildings or districts.
- Prepares detailed Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) inventory forms for historic resources, including well referenced and written narrative site-specific historical summaries needed to provide a basis for evaluating the historical significance for individual properties or resources.
- Evaluates and determines project-related effects to historic properties.
- Sends formal determinations, along with supporting documentation, to appropriate state, federal and local governments as well as interested non-governmental organizations for comments or concurrence.
- For assigned projects, develops and implements mitigation and/or minimization for adverse effects applying a specified range of acceptable alternatives. Includes development of agreements (e.g. Memorandum of Agreement) for the satisfactory mitigation of adverse effects.
- For assigned projects, drafts and writes environmental documents [i.e. categorical exclusions (CatEx), Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)] and Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) reports for completeness and accuracy, and participates in comment resolution meetings to finalize these studies.
- Advises engineers and project teams on appropriate actions to avoid impacts to historic resources, or to develop acceptable mitigation to offset negative impacts.
- Explains effects and mitigation at public hearings and meetings concerning transportation projects that impact historic resources.
- Participates in coordination meetings between CDOT, SHPO, FHWA, FTA, local agencies, and other stakeholders as needed;
- Provides guidance in the fieldwork and research required for compliance with Section 106 and Section 4(f).
- Conducts fieldwork taking photographs and uses GPS devices, unmanned aerial vehicles and cameras to gather data in the field and uses a variety of GIS software and satellite imagery to develop and analyze project data
- Assists with special research projects that streamline historic properties complains and meet mitigation requirements;
- Assists with larger research projects that focus on specific historic property types an collaborates in presentations of CDOT historic properties research projects and findings at professional conferences;
- Assists with CatEx, EA, EIS and PEL NEPA project management ensuring that legal requirements and regulations, including public outreach and public meetings are met;
- Coordinate with consultants at all stages of the compliance process for assigned projects, including project scope, timeline, APE, level of effort, eligibility and effect determinations, consultation, etc.;
- Attends professional training to maintain up-to date knowledge and expertise in the laws, regulations and best practices for historical work;
- Conducts visual sight assessments;
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Environment
- Primarily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM work hours, Monday – Friday
- Travel-Required to drive to meetings, training, and project site visits. Some overnight travel
- Required to operate CDOT Vehicles
Minimum Qualifications
Experience Only:
Six (6) years of professional experience with a primary focus in cultural resource management, which includes historical resources investigation. Experience in Colorado history is preferred.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of relevant education and/or experience equal to six (6) years
- Bachelors or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in history, architectural history, historic preservation, or a closely related field. A copy of your transcript showing degree conferral MUST be submitted to verify this requirement.
- Experience with a primary focus in cultural resource management, which includes historical resources, research and documentation. Experience in Colorado history is preferred.