Director Natural Sciences

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Director Natural Sciences | Wethersfield, CT

VHB’s growing Wethersfield, CT office is seeking a Director Natural Sciences to lead our growing environmental team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and expand our established natural science team, supporting renewable energy and state infrastructure needs. 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

• Lead wetland delineations pursuant to state and federal standards, and complete vernal pool surveys. Document delineations 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 function value assessments and evaluation of potential project impacts
• Coordination and preparation of NEPA/CEPA documents
• Lead wetland compensatory mitigation approaches for in lieu fee, creation/restoration/enhancement, and complete site evaluations, designs, and mitigation monitoring
• Lead and attend meetings with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to establish their needs and throubleshoot any issues
• Lead consultations with and procure local, state, and federal environmental permits
• Consultation with and support of Connecticut Siting Council approvals.
• Oversee construction monitoring to confirm adherence to permit conditions
• Manage and mentor team of scientists
• Project management and task management of complex environmental and permitting efforts

Skills and Attributes

• Confident with identifying wetlands and adjacent upland flora specific to Connecticut
• Confident with Connecticut fauna and ability to generally assess wildlife habitat quality
• Demonstrated proficiency in Connecticut state wetland delineations
• Must possess and maintain working knowledge of local, state and federal environmental regulations, with demonstrated proficiency in natural resources permitting and successful compensatory mitigation efforts
• 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 excels as an active team participant
• Exhibits strong leadership and mentorship skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, biology, plant, soil science, or related environmental field
• Master’s degree in a similar environmental area of study preferred (master’s may substitute for 1 year of experience)
• 15+ years of professional environmental experience with a focus in wetlands/environmental permitting preferred
• 10+ years’ experience with CT local, state and federal wetland and natural resource permitting agencies is required
• Demonstrated team management experience required
• Professional Member of the Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England, or Certified Professional Soil Scientist by the Soil Science Society of America required
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) preferred
• Certified Professional in Soil Erosion Control (CPESC) preferred
• Ability to travel, as needed, to support regional offices and projects
• Ability to manage projects independently and to serve as a task lead to support other company disciplines

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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