Coastal Scientist Regulatory Specialist

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.; Virginia Beach, Virginia, Main Street (VA, MN, CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Coastal Scientist/Regulatory Specialist to join their dynamic team. This role focuses on planning and designing waterfront structures, leading permitting efforts, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to tackle coastal management challenges. The ideal candidate will have extensive regulatory experience and technical skills to contribute to innovative coastal solutions. Join a company that values diversity, fosters a collaborative culture, and offers opportunities for professional growth while working on impactful projects that enhance communities and protect the environment.

Benefits

Flexible, hybrid workplace

Diverse and inclusive culture

Learning and development opportunities

Best-in-class benefits

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Coastal Science and Regulatory Processes.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes in Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Lead permitting efforts for waterfront development projects.
• Manage projects including scope, budget, and schedule.

Skills

Coastal Science

Regulatory Processes

Technical Writing

Project Management

Interpersonal Communication

Education

B.S. in Coastal Science

M.S. in Coastal Science

Job description

Coastal Scientist Regulatory Specialist

Job Locations

US-VA-Williamsburg | US-VA-Virginia Beach | US-VA-Richmond

ID

2024-4796

Category

Science

Type

Regular Full-Time

Career Stage Type

Experienced

# of Openings

1

Overview

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 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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