Senior Environmental Scientist / Permitting Specialist - VHB

ABOUT THE POSITION

Senior Environmental Scientist/Permitting Specialist | Hybrid | Providence, RI 

VHB’s growing Providence, RI office is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist/Permitting Specialist to join our growing team. This is an exciting opportunity to expand our established natural science team, permitting energy and state infrastructure projects. 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.

Responsibilities 

• Wetland delineations and documentation of a three-parameter approach using field indicators of wetland hydrology, identification of dominant plant species in various strata, and field indicators of hydric soils in southern New England
• Preparation of wetland functional assessments and evaluation of potential project impacts
• Wetland mitigation site evaluation, design, monitoring, and functional assessment
• Preparation of soil profile descriptions following USDA NRCS nomenclature
• Erosion and sediment control planning
• Coordination and preparation of NEPA documents 
• Environmental regulatory agency consultations
• Preparation of state and federal environmental permit applications
• Construction monitoring to confirm adherence to permit conditions
• Project management and task management of complex permitting efforts

Skills & Abilities 

• 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 be highly motivated and an active team participant
• 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
• 11+ years required, 15+ 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), and/or Professional Member of the Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England, or 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

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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