Senior Natural Resource Specialist

$70,106 - $113,922/Yr

Va Dept Of Transportation - Suffolk, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Suffolk, VA

Support Activities for Transportation

About the position

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District is seeking a Senior Natural Resource Specialist to support construction and maintenance programs while protecting the natural environment. This role involves providing sound engineering and environmental consultation and services. The Senior Natural Resource Specialist will coordinate or conduct water quality field studies, biological impact studies, and wetland delineations early in the project development process. They will also plan for and develop avoidance and minimization alternatives for environmental resources during the scoping phase of project development. Quality control for both VDOT and consultant water quality design submittals will be a key responsibility, along with overseeing the development of permit packages and preparing permit applications consistent with advertisement dates. In addition, the specialist will provide leadership and environmental and engineering guidance district-wide related to design, water quality, erosion and sediment control, stormwater management (SWM), best management practices (BMPs), and endangered and threatened species. They will support project development and construction processes in accordance with environmental regulations, policies, procedures, and project schedules. The role also includes managing the water quality portion of the district environmental program and overseeing projects with significant or complex water quality issues to meet advertisement schedules. The Senior Natural Resource Specialist will develop wetland mitigation strategies, including the design of wetland compensation sites to facilitate the permitting of transportation projects. They will identify potential mitigation alternatives, perform site selection, and evaluate feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and constructability. The specialist will also represent VDOT in resolving water quality permit issues with local, state, and federal agencies throughout the project development process, ensuring timely issuance of water quality permits. They will act as an Environmental Liaison, providing guidance throughout project development and construction processes regarding environmental, design, and constructability issues, while maintaining knowledge of state and federal water quality laws and regulations to facilitate the development of transportation projects.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate or conduct water quality field studies or surveys, biological impact studies, and wetland delineations early in the project development process.
• Plan for and develop avoidance and minimization alternatives for environmental resources in the scoping phase of project development.
• Provide quality control for both VDOT and consultant water quality design submittals.
• Oversee development of permit packages and prepare permit applications consistent with advertisement dates.
• Present projects at the Interagency Coordination Meeting and acquire permits to meet advertisement schedules.
• Provide leadership and environmental and engineering guidance district-wide related to design, water quality, erosion and sediment control, SWM, BMPs, and endangered and threatened species.
• Support project development and construction processes consistent with environmental regulations, policies, procedures, and project schedules.
• Monitor and update CEDAR software program.
• Manage water quality portion of the district environmental program.
• Manage projects that have significant or complex water quality related issues to meet advertisement schedules.
• Develop wetland mitigation strategies, including the design of wetland compensation sites to facilitate the permitting of transportation projects.
• Identify potential mitigation alternatives and perform site selection in the project development process.
• Study potential mitigation sites to evaluate feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and constructability.
• Develop conceptual and final design, vegetation schedule, typical sections, outlet control structures, construction and vegetation notes, monitoring requirements, and special provisions to facilitate construction of mitigation site.
• Design wetlands, stream, and riparian restoration alternatives to meet permit requirements.
• Represent VDOT in resolving water quality permit issues and conditions with local, state, and federal agencies throughout the project development process.
• Act as Environmental Liaison, providing guidance throughout project development and construction processes regarding environmental, design, and constructability issues.
• Provide expert technical advice to construction and maintenance personnel regarding ongoing projects and activities to remain environmentally compliant on projects.

Requirements

• Ability to read, interpret and apply environmental laws and regulations to transportation projects.
• Ability to work with the public on environmental issues.
• Knowledge of solid waste and hazardous materials, threatened and endangered species, pollution prevention, and cultural resources laws, regulations, and permit processes.
• Knowledge of NEPA, water quality permits, wetlands, stream stabilization, erosion and sediment control, and storm water management laws, regulations, and permit processes.
• Ability to apply civil engineering and environmental sciences in the design of wetlands, stream restoration, erosion and sediment control, and BMPs.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
• Skill in wetland delineation, soil taxonomy and plant identification, aquatic macro benthic identification, and biological sampling protocols.
• Ability to plan, organize and work on multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to prepare conceptual designs and special contract provisions.
• Knowledge of civil engineering, erosion and sediment control, and storm water management.
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of environmental sciences, wetland sciences, aquatic ecology, fisheries, hydrology, hydraulics, and soil sciences.
• Ability to develop strategies to avoid, minimize, and compensate for environmental impacts.

Nice-to-haves

• DEQ: Inspector for Erosion Sediment Control (ESC IN) or able to obtain within a year.
• Knowledge of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 1987 COE Wetland Delineation Manual, wetland ecology, and management.
• Progressively responsible experience managing complex projects in the transportation engineering and construction industry.
• A combination of training, experience, or education in environmental science, natural sciences, forestry, biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology, or related field desired.
• Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) or Professional Wetlands Scientist (PWS) designation.
• Preferred a minimum of two years' experience in wetland delineation and permitting.

Benefits

• Excellent health and life insurance benefits
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• State funded Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Tuition assistance
• Free wellness programs
• State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching