Senior Environmental Scientist / Permitting Specialist

ABOUT THE POSITION

Join Our Team as a Senior Environmental Scientist - Permitting Specialist | Flexible location

Are you ready to lead environmental projects that balance development and infrastructure needs with environmental stewardship? Do you thrive on collaboration and innovative problem-solving? If so, VHB wants you! Our rapidly expanding Providence, RI office is on the lookout for a dynamic Senior Environmental Scientist/Permitting Specialist to be part of our journey to enhance communities and contribute to economic vitality.

About the Role:

As a Senior Environment Scientist, you'll will be an integral part of our team, conducting vital surveys, preparing impactful reports, and navigating the complex world of environmental permitting while leading teams. . This position offers the unique opportunity to apply your expertise to help our clients make informed and environmentally sound decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct wetland delineations using a three-parameter approach and document findings.
• Prepare wetland functional assessments and evaluate potential project impacts.
• Design, monitor, and assess wetland mitigation sites.
• Develop soil profile descriptions following USDA NRCS standards.
• Plan erosion and sediment control.
• Coordinate and prepare NEPA documents.
• Consult with environmental regulatory agencies.
• Prepare state and federal environmental permit applications.
• Monitor construction to confirm compliance with permit conditions.
• Manage complex permitting projects, ensuring task completion and project success.
• Skills & Abilities:
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly motivated self-starter with excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Team-oriented with the capability to motivate and mentor others.
• Proficiency in collaborative problem-solving with stakeholders, clients, and teammates.
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Familiarity with southern New England flora and ability to key out plant species using floristic keys
• Familiarity with southern New England fauna and ability to generally assess wildlife habitat quality
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work in field settings under a variety of weather conditions alone or with a colleague
• Must exhibit advanced technical writing skills
• Must possess and maintain working knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations, with demonstrated expertise in RIDEM water resources permitting
• Proficiency in permit application preparation mandatory

Qualifications

• BS degree in environmental science, ecology, plant, soil science, or related environmental field. MS degree in a similar environmental area of study preferred
• 8-11 years required, 11+ years preferred of professional environmental consulting experience with a focus in environmental permitting
• Ability to travel, as needed, to support offices and projects
• Ability to manage projects independently and to serve as a task lead to support other company disciplines
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) preferred
• Professional Member of the Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England expected
• Certified Professional Soil Scientist by the Soil Science Society of America and/or Certified Professional in Soil Erosion Control (CPESC) desirable.
• RI Class IV Soil Evaluator License also desirable

Why Join Us?

• Diverse Projects: Engage in a variety of meaningful projects that make a tangible impact on our environment.
• Collaborative Culture: Be part of a supportive and innovative team that values collaboration and scientific integrity.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for career growth and mentorship within a dynamic and expanding company.

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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