Environmental Analyst

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State's affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

This position is on HCR's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). HTFC is a public benefit corporation, anda Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

SUMMARY: Under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Environmental Analyst and/or the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the environmental review of projects granted funding under the HOME, CDBG-DR, and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) programs administered by the Office of Community Renewal (OCR), the Office of Finance & Development (OFD), and the Office of Resilient Homes & Communities (RHC). As needed, the incumbent will provide review support to projects granted funding under Housing Finance Agency programs. The incumbent analyzes and responds to information submitted in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the (New York) City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), the Flood Plain Management Criteria, and the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Review. The incumbent researches issues and develops possible resolutions, monitors compliance between HCR and the Department of Housing and Urban Renewal (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Coastal Zone Commission, Local Program Administrators, and other Federal and State agencies as necessary. Under the direction of the supervisor, the incumbent serves as a resource on environmental issues for HCR staff and provides technical assistance.

ACTIVITY: Reviews OFD HTF funded projects (and/or HFA funded projects, as needed), analyzing, evaluating and administering compliance with SEQR/SHPO/NEPA requirements.

TASKS:

• Conducts comprehensive reviews of funded projects and programs including site visit reports, SEQR Short Environmental Assessment Form, SHPO review, Floodplain Management Criteria, and, as needed, NEPA review, CEQR review and Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Review.
• Reviews and evaluates Environmental Assessment and Statutory checklists and/or Environmental Impact Statements for specified categories of projects.
• Identifies and addresses regulatory thresholds, compliance issues and submission requirements, conducting research and proposing alternative solutions to problem issues for supervisory review and approval.
• Prepares appropriate documents for supervisory review and assists in coordinating actions among HCR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Coastal Zone Commission.
• Responds to problem issues interacting with Federal and State agencies, HCR staff and grantees, providing background information and proposed resolutions to supervisor.
• Under supervisory review, drafts statutorily required public notices, reviews responses and provides background information for HCR response.
• Prepares funding commitment letter to grantees outlining conditions to be met and completes related letters and documentation for HCR/HTF, HUD and other Federal and State agencies as needed.
• Provides on-going technical assistance and compliance monitoring of approved projects.
• Performs digital mapping and documentation on available software.

ACTIVITY: Reviews and administers OCR HOME Local Program Administrator's (LPA) or RHC subrecipient (SR) (or AHC LPA, as needed) compliance with SEQR/NEPA requirements.

TASKS:

• Monitors award records and evaluates environmental review documents for those LPAs or SRs which require review and approval.
• Resolves routine technical issues directly with the LPA or SR and appropriate Federal and State agencies and proposes alternative resolutions to supervisor for complex issues.
• Prepares written advice and guidelines regarding project compliance to grantees.
• Completes approval and confirmation letters and other documentation for HCR, HUD, the LPA/SR, and other Federal and State agencies as needed.
• Conducts outreach to the LPA/SR awardees assisting in their preparation of site specific reviews.
• Conducts follow-up compliance monitoring and technical assistance for site specific reviews, bringing problem issues and proposed resolutions to the attention of the supervisor.
• Upon resolution of site-specific issues, reviews the submission of the site specific ERR, prepares site specific clearance memos for the supervisor's signature.
• Updates and maintains program tracking system.

ACTIVITIES: Researches and organizes information on Federal, State and New York City environmental regulations and reporting systems.

• Under the directions of the supervisor, provides interpretation and explanation of environmental restrictions and other background information to HCR staff.
• Under the direction of the supervisor, analyzes enabling legislation of new programs to determine environmental and historic review requirements.
• Assists the supervisor in maintaining and updating a resource library of materials relating to Federal and State environmental regulations, review requirements and background information.

ACTIVITY: Provides technical assistance to Agency staff, LPAs/SRs, grantees and applicants.

• Assists the supervisor in maintaining an environmental procedures manual, drafting revisions to reflect changes in regulation and review requirements.
• Under the supervisor's direction, responds to inquiries from HCR staff, Federal and State agencies, LPAs/SRs, grantees and applicants either verbally or in writing.
• Assists the supervisor in preparing and delivering technical assistance programs for HCR staff, LPAs/SRs, grantees and applicants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a bachelor's or higher-level degree in an environmental field of study, such as environmental engineering, environmental science, geology, and environmental planning, environmental studies, environmental law, natural science or land use planning.
• Must have two years of experience in a position having substantial relationship to environmental analysis, meaning preparing and/or reviewing environmental impact statements or assessments; or providing consultation on environmental impact laws, rules and regulations; or conducting office evaluations and/or field investigations related to environmental regulatory programs such as water quality, wetlands and/or site remediation.
• Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate's degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor's degree; J.D. or master's degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.