Natural Resource Specialist Senior - Bristol, VA

Job Description

To support VDOT construction and maintenance programs and to protect the natural environment by providing sound engineering and environmental consultation and services.

How you will contribute:

• Compensation Site Monitoring and Design: 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 project development process. Study potential mitigation sites to evaluate feasibility, cost effective 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.
• Environmental Liaison: Represent VDOT in resolving water quality permit issues and conditions with local, state and federal agencies throughout the project development process to ensure timely issuance of water quality permits. 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 on-going projects and activities to remain environmentally compliant on projects. Maintain knowledge of state and federal water quality laws and regulations to facilitate development of transportation projects.
• Project Management: 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.
• Water Quality Permitting: 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. Assemble design and environmental data and prepare permit applications consistent with ad dates. Present projects at the Interagency Coordination Meeting and acquire permits to meet ad schedules.

What will make you successful:

• 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.
• Ability to develop strategies to avoid, minimize and compensate for environmental impacts.
• Ability to plan, organize and work on multiple task concurrently.
• Ability to prepare conceptual designs and special contract provisions.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply environmental laws and regulations to transportation projects.
• Ability to work with the public on environmental issues.
• Knowledge of NEPA, water quality permits, wetlands, stream stabilization, erosion and sediment control and storm water management laws, regulations and permit processes.
• Knowledge of civil engineering, erosion and sediment control and storm water management.
• Knowledge of environmental sciences, wetland sciences, and aquatic ecology, fisheries, hydrology, hydraulics and soil sciences.
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of solid waste and hazardous materials, threatened and endangered species, pollution prevention, and cultural resources laws, regulations and permit processes.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of federal, state, local transportation, environmental rules, regulations, policies and practices.
• Experience in the application of environmental requirements to transportation or similar operations.
• Experience in wetland delineation and permitting.
• Experience reading highway engineering plans.
• Experience working with project proponents to avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
• Training and experience in construction inspection, asbestos safety awareness and hazard communications.

Additional Considerations:

• A combination of training, experience or education in environmental science, natural sciences, forestry, biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology or related field desired.
• DEQ: Inspector for Erosion Sediment Control (ESC IN)
• 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.
• Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) or Professional Wetlands Scientist (PWS) designation.

Click below to learn more about the Competency Model associated with this Position:
Competency Model

Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements

VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics
Standards of Conduct