MEPA Analyst – (250002CO)

MEPA Analyst – (250002CO)

Description

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Who We Are as an Employer:

 At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

This position will work as a member of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office. The MEPA Office conducts environmental impact reviews of a broad range of public and private projects. Issues studied include wetlands, coastal resources, ground and surface water quality, water supplies, wastewater treatment and discharge, storm water, solid waste management, traffic, air quality, and archaeological and historical resources.

The MEPA Analyst will be responsible for reviewing the projects submitted to the MEPA Office for review. Reviews include analysis of Environmental Notification Forms (ENFs), Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), Notices of Project Change (NPCs), Waiver requests, and other filings. The analyst will be asked to conduct public consultation meetings and site visits (both remote and in-person) with proponents, local and state officials, and interested members of the public. The analyst will also review and analyze filings supplied by proponents, as well as comments submitted by permitting agencies and other commenters, to determine adequacy of filings in consideration of statutory and regulatory requirements. The analyst will draft recommended decisions (certificates) for review by the MEPA Director and Assistant Director, indicating whether a project requires an EIR, issuing a scope of study for EIRs, and evaluating the adequacy of submitted EIRs in responding to any scopes previously issued. The analyst will assist the MEPA Office in implementing new requirements imposed by Sections 57-60 of Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021: An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy. The EA IV position will review comparatively more ENFs than EIRs relative to the EA V, and will be more available to conduct research projects or other tasks as assigned.

Responsibilities Include:

• Serves as primary reviewer of assigned Environmental Notification Forms and Notices of Project Change, as well as public agency and comments associated with assigned projects. Where further review is required, develop the scope of study and associated information to be included in an EIR.
• Serves as primary reviewer of Environmental Impact Reports as well as agency comments associated with assigned projects.
• Sets up, drives to, and conducts public consultation sessions with project proponents, members of the public, agency staff, and local and state officials.
• Prepares recommended decisions for the Secretary and MEPA Director, including all Certificates and correspondence associated with assigned projects.
• Communicates and, coordinates with agency staff (internal and external), elected officials and the public with regard to all aspects of assigned projects under MEPA review.
• Conducts special projects or other duties as assigned (e.g., research assignments, internal guidance/checklists, team meetings, database management).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Due to the high-paced nature of MEPA work and strict deadlines, the candidate must demonstrate solid professional experience or other training, and foundational knowledge in at least one relevant area of environmental science.
• The candidate must be highly motivated, demonstrate curiosity and flexibility in analyzing issues across a broad range of environmental topics, and demonstrate an ability to adapt his or her training to newly evolving areas particularly in the areas of climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas mitigation, and environmental justice.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms.
• Ability to understand and apply laws, rules and regulations concerning the environment in connection with the alteration and protection of
• the public health and the environment.
• Ability to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of others.
• Ability to accomplish work objectives when few precedents or guidelines are available.
• Ability to determine proper format and procedure for assembling information.
• Graduate training and five years or more of professional experience (additional experience may be considered a substitute for graduate training).
• Solid problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communications skills including writing and public speaking.
• Strong administrative/organizational skills and experience.
• Must be able to drive to site consultations that may take place anywhere within the Commonwealth.
• Specific experience with climate change topics, environmental health, public health, and/or environmental justice work.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate’s degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*  

II. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* 

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. 

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.  No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!