Coastal Scientist Regulatory Specialist

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB is actively looking for a Senior Level Coastal Scientist/Regulatory Specialist to join our team in Williamsburg, Virginia Beach or Richmond offices.  The Coastal Scientist/Regulatory Specialist will assist with the planning and design for waterfront and coastal structures projects, including living shoreline stabilization, revetments, dredging, marinas, marine terminals, urban waterfront developments as well as wetland restoration.  More importantly, the individual will lead the permitting effort on these types of projects to secure local, state, and federal authorizations.

The ideal candidate for this position will have extensive regulatory experience in permitting a variety of coastal projects as well as technical skills that can contribute to the overall coastal design team.  The candidate who fills this position will join a high performing team that provides clients with multi-disciplinary engineering and science-based solutions to coastal management challenges including coastal engineering, coastal flood risk, resiliency and adaptation design, and dredged material management.

Responsibilities

• Successfully support ongoing Coastal / Water Resources practice through contacts and business development efforts working with state and federal agencies, as well as private sector clients.
• Assist in the development of qualifications and proposals for coastal resilience and coastal infrastructure-related RFPs.
• Assist and ultimately manage projects (scope, budget, schedule) and work with sub-consultants and team members and assure quality control of work throughout project execution, including:
• all aspects for permitting waterfront development including shoreline stabilization, piers, wharves, marine terminals, marinas and boardwalks
• contributing to living shoreline erosion solutions designs
• conducting/reviewing technical analyses/calculations
• dredging design and permitting
• preparation of permit support documents and other documents that might be needed for a complete permit package

Skills and Attributes

• Experience working on multidisciplinary teams involving surveyors, environmental scientists, structural engineers, civil engineers, landscape architects and planners in support of coastal management, restoration, resiliency and adaptation efforts
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills, including technical writing and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations that govern coastal/waterfront construction.
• Team oriented with strong capability to work independently.
• Highly organized.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Coastal Science, Oceanography or related field. M.S. preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in Coastal Science and Regulatory Processes required.
• 11+ years of experience in Coastal Science and Regulatory Processes preferred.
• Knowledge of the regulatory processes in Virginia.
• Experience with project delivery for multiple Federal, State and local coastal agencies/clients, specific experience with USACE, FEMA, USGS, NOAA preferred.

We are VHB! We’re an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment. 

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes: 

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace  

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We’re growing, and we hope you’ll join us! 

VHB is a proud Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. All individuals receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination for race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

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