ABOUT THE POSITION
VHB is actively seeking an early-career Coastal Scientist / Coastal Engineer / Regulatory Specialist to join our dynamic team in Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, or Richmond, VA. This is an exciting opportunity to directly contribute to the planning, design, and permitting of a wide variety of coastal infrastructure projects—from wetland restorations, living shorelines, rock revetments, and dredging to marinas, shipyard facilities, and urban waterfront developments. This position offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both the technical and regulatory aspects of environmental work and to grow within a supportive, multidisciplinary team.
The ideal candidate will possess robust technical understanding of coastal dynamics, design, and permitting. As part of a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, you will deliver engineering and science-based solutions addressing coastal flood risk, resiliency, sea level adaptation, navigation channel dredging, and the management of dredged materials.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Apply coastal models to evaluate waves, currents, and sediment transport
- Prepare clear written reports summarizing coastal hazards, vulnerabilities, and site design conditions
- Perform or assist with both preliminary and detailed design calculations, addressing scour protection, revetment design, wave runup, and wave forces on structures
- Prepare environmental documentation and permit support materials for submission to local, state, and federal agencies
- Assist with regulatory permitting efforts for coastal development projects
- Assist with preparation of detailed project specifications as well as bid and contract documents
- Support public and private sector clients in navigating the regulatory process
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle
- Perform fieldwork as needed
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams—including surveyors, environmental scientists, structural and civil engineers, landscape architects, and planners—in support of coastal management, restoration, and resiliency projects
- Familiarity with federal, state, and local environmental regulations, especially those related to coastal and waterfront development (e.g., USACE Section 10/404, VMRC, DEQ)
- Understanding of hydrodynamics, waves, sediment transport, and/or floating bodies; experience and understanding of numerical simulation with DHI MIKE, Delft3D, OpenFoam, Flow3D, or similar is a plus;
- Exposure to NEPA review and documentation, including understanding of scoping, agency coordination, and public engagement processes
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines
- Enthusiastic, team-oriented, and organized
- Proficient with AutoCAD and/or GIS; programming skills (Matlab, Python, or similar) is a plus
- Proficient with probability and statistics, and has experience analyzing and graphically presenting large datasets
- Hands-on NEPA experience such as drafting or reviewing Environmental Assessments or supporting NEPA compliance for coastal or marine infrastructure a plus.
QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. or M.S. in Coastal Science, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Oceanography, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
- 3–5+ years of experience in coastal environmental permitting/regulatory compliance or coastal/ocean engineering
- Working knowledge of Virginia coastal regulatory frameworks and permitting processes a plus
- Experience in delivering projects for federal, state, and local coastal agencies/clients is highly desirable; familiarity with agencies such as USACE, FEMA, NOAA, DEQ, or VMRC is preferred
- Virginia Civil Engineer-in-Training a plus
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 Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
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