Title: Senior Natural Resource Specialist

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist II

Hiring Range: $70,106 to $113,922

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Hampton Roads District Office

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District is seeking a Senior Natural Resource Specialist to support construction and maintenance programs and to protect the natural environment by providing sound engineering and environmental consultation and services.

Core responsibilities for job & position:
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.

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 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.

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.

Required skills for job & position:
• 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 task 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, and aquatic ecology, fisheries, hydrology, hydraulics and soil sciences.
• Ability to develop strategies to avoid, minimize and compensate for environmental impacts.

VDOT is an emergency response agency, and this position may be designated to support emergency operations during certain situations. As such, you may occasionally be required to work an assignment that includes hours outside the normal work schedule including weekends and holidays. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

We have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics. Your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values, therefore please review them and, if in agreement, we welcome you to apply.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDOT offers 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, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Additional Considerations

• 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.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Fingerprint-based criminal history background check, DMV driving record check, references, Pre-Employment Physical and Drug Screen, and work history will be required prior to employment. Valid Driver's License Required.

Position is designated as essential and, as such, will be required to work outside normal hours, weekends, and holidays during emergency situations which may include but are not limited to inclement weather, disaster response and emergency operations. Travel may be required.

DHRM has also published a companion guidance document for the Alternative Hiring Process for persons with disabilities which can be found here.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Job Board/Recruitment Management System (RMS).

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided in the application and optional resume; therefore, those who fully represent their qualifications and work history will be more successful with obtaining an interview. Submitting an incomplete application and/or resume lacking job history and relevant experience detail may impact interview eligibility. State applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

Contact Information

Name: Taylor Stump

Phone: 757-613-6493

Email: [email protected]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.