Ecology and Waterway Permitting Specialist Date Posted: Aug 5, 2025 Requisition ID: 463669 Location: Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204 Work for Indiana Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana. About the Indiana Department of Transportation : The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state’s quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you. Role Overview : This position serves as an Ecology and Waterway Permitting Specialist (EWPS) in the Environmental Services Division of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), assigned to support a District. The EWPS identifies ecological resources at INDOT project sites that are subject to regulation and secures permits from federal, state, and local regulatory agencies for impacts to these resources. The EWPS is the primary contact during design, construction, and post-construction to maintain compliance with federal and state environmental laws. The EWPS is the technical expert regarding ecological resources, permits, project design, construction, and mitigation site development for their district. They have oversight of special projects and complex construction projects. They support the section’s goals of increasing the accuracy of project permit applications and reducing INDOT schedule, budget, and regulatory risk for their assigned district. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Waterway Permit Applications (45%), Waters Reports (35%), Project Development (10%), Ecology (5%), Mitigation (5%) Location : This position is located in INDOT’s Indianapolis Central Office, Environmental Services Division. Salary : This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $53,222.00. Salary for this position may be commensurate with education and job experience. A Day In The Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows: Waterway Permit Applications (45%) + Assists participants (project managers, design engineers, and environmental consultants) in the project development process with impact avoidance and minimization to achieve an approvable permit application. + Reviews waterway permit applications prior to submission to the regulatory agencies for accuracy and adequacy. + As needed, prepares waterway permit applications for INDOT projects for submission to regulatory agencies. + Solicits pertinent information from project designer and provides designer and project manager a preliminary permit determination based on that information. + Primary contact for construction staff regarding changes that may require permit modifications. These may be received from project design, construction contractor designers, internal INDOT construction oversight staff, and project managers. + Primary contact between participants in the project develop process and regulatory agencies for permit modifications and extensions. + Evaluates permit compliance through construction site visits. Advises construction staff on corrective actions. Coordinates responses to regulatory agency non-compliance letters and violations. + Communicates permit requirements to the Project Manager for construction contracts. + Post-construction verification for permit and project commitment compliance. Waters Reports (35%) + Reviews waters of the US determinations related to INDOT projects for accuracy and adequacy. + Conducts investigations of water resources for INDOT project sites and documents findings. Project Development (10%) + Involvement in complex projects including participating in project development by providing timely and accurate guidance and reviewing documentation according to project schedule. + Primary contact for consultants and regulatory agencies throughout the project development process and construction to resolve questions and concerns. + Advise internal INDOT stakeholders throughout the project development process and construction about project risk (compliance and schedule), avoidance, minimization, mitigation strategies, and cost reduction strategies with respect to regulated resources. Ecology (5%) + Reviews investigations of protected species, wildlife use, and other ecological resources for accuracy and adequacy. + Investigates INDOT project sites for presence of protected animal and plant species and wildlife use. + Technical expert for the Division as subject matter expert (SME) in one or more of the following fields: wildlife ecology, aquatic habitat, botany, soils, Section 7 consultation, karst features, surface and groundwater hydrology, and mitigation site development. Mitigation (5%) + Assists Senior EWPS with mitigation site monitoring and management. The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary. What You'll Need for Success: You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment: + Education – Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related environmental sciences discipline such as ecology, biology, natural resources management, forestry, fisheries, geology, geography, or other related field. + Experience – Two years of applicable experience; graduate level education may substitute for up to two years of experience. + Background knowledge of natural resources and environmental management topics such as waterways, wetlands, endangered, threatened, and rare species and habitats, migratory birds, and karst topography. + Exhibit attention to detail, writing, communication, editing, problem solving, organizational and analytical skills. + Ability to form appropriate recommendations with consideration of potential impact on INDOT project budgets and schedules. + Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with stakeholders. + Ability to work independently, anticipate problems and initiate corrective actions. Highly qualified candidates will have: + Experience with the methods used to determine the quality and extent of the regulated resources through wetland delineations, waters of the US determinations, habitat surveys, and water quality and floristic assessment tools. + Knowledge of environmental regulatory agencies and related federal and state laws and regulations. Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs. Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: + Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans + Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards + Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution + Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match + Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options + A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: + 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers + Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave + Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off + 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years + Education Reimbursement Program + Group life insurance + Referral Bonus program + Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits + Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program + Free Parking for most positions + Free LinkedIn Learning access Equal Employment Opportunity: The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov. Current Employee? Click here (https://performancemanager8.successfactors.com/sf/careers/jobsearch?bplte\_company=indianaoff) to apply.