About this role
Perform value based acoustical engineering sound barrier designs. Plan and perform noise impact studies. Coordinate and resolve complex acoustical engineering issues and manage consultant work orders. Ensure the transportation construction program complies with federal and state noise abatement policy. To provide leadership, environmental expertise and guidance for assigned area(s) of responsibility. Plan, organize and coordinate program responsibilities to include assisting with assessment, training and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations governing assigned programs. Provide analysis to ensure liabilities potentially incurred by VDOT are minimized through engineering feasibility, cost-benefit, and risk management analyses and decision-making. Communicate policies and procedures related to program areas and coordinate with applicable parties. Provide guidance, training, direction and assistance to internal and external customers.
How you will contribute:
- Acoustical engineering design of sound barriers: Perform noise impact studies for transportation projects using approved noise prediction models, engineering design standards, technologies and acoustical engineering principles to meet established road design schedules. Integrate road design plans, traffic and other critical inputs into the federally approved noise modeling software using MicroStation, CADD, GIS and other engineering design software to perform noise studies and design acoustical engineering plans for sound walls. Review and modify noise barrier walls for compliance with standards and specifications. Obtain final design approval through Noise Abatement Committee and Chief Engineer. Participate in Noise Program QAQC engineering plan review process by checking designs, making own design available for review and checking engineering shop. Review consultant scopes of work, cost estimates and perform technical accuracy reviews.
- Communication: Represent VDOT in interactions with public, federal, state and local agencies to fulfill program commitments. Attend public hearings, citizen informational meetings, field inspections, citizen informational meetings and provide technical guidance to districts, as needed. Clearly communicate regulations related to assigned program area(s), policies, and science. Provide expert testimony and assistance to the attorney general related to litigation of transportation projects. Prepare technical briefings and position papers on complex, sensitive issues and provide expert advice on assigned program area designs that may have significant implications.
- Coordinate with others: Coordinate with section staff, districts and other VDOT stakeholders on the review of consultant contracts, noise studies and abatement designs to facilitate projects meeting on-time, on-budget goals. Scope Noise Type I projects and provide cost estimates and barrier candidate locations to districts through proper use of IMP, CEDAR, email and other electronic technologies to communicate and document project status. Critically review consultant scope of work; disseminate planning data and VDOT noise guidance and coordinate consultant activities to ensure timely deliverables. Review technical reports and acoustical engineering designs for accuracy and compliance to federal and state noise policy and internal QAQC procedures.
- Program Assessment and Guidance: Provide guidance, support, and assistance for assigned program area(s) and communicate with appropriate stakeholders. Determine process improvements and policy changes or impacts, update the appropriate documentation and communicate changes. Monitor compliance to determine areas of improvement needed.
- Programmatic Goals: Assist in development of guidance to support districts across the agency. Partner with local resources to determine best protocols and programs to utilize and interface with additional subject-matter experts as needed.
- Training and Technical Expertise: Serve as technical expert for assigned program area(s). Prepare and conduct periodic training. Communicate information and updates to policies and procedures to all applicable stakeholders in a timely manner.
- Training: Participate in program planning, training and technology transfer activities. Participate, plan and develop training for assigned programs, including providing technical guidance and training. Use engineering knowledge, project management training, Value Engineering and other training to recommend solution-oriented ideas to improve program processes. Participate in program planning related to workload, budget and research opportunities.
What will make you successful:
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to include preparing and delivering presentations conveying technical reports on construction projects and environmental impacts to elected officials, agency heads and executives.
- Ability to coordinate complex projects with federal, state, local agencies and general public.
- Ability to demonstrate proper use of technical, legal and scientific principles and practices.
- Ability to effectively coordinate consultant activities and manage contracts.
- Ability to effectively negotiate solutions to environmental obstacles.
- Ability to interpret and apply state and federal environmental laws, regulations, policies, programs, and procedures related to environmental programs.
- Ability to interpret assessment reports and develop reasonable and effective solutions.
- Ability to interpret highway construction plans and develop sound, cost effective technical approaches for determining potential impacts of environmental impact on construction projects.
- Ability to manage multiple technical projects.
- Ability to plan, organize, and work on multiple tasks concurrently.
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations related to construction projects with environmental impacts to VDOT staff and environmental agencies.
- Ability to review and critically comment on regarding technical competency, appropriate engineering measures and suitability of proposed mitigation.
- Ability to work as a team member or independently under the pressure of deadlines.
- Ability to work with professionals to advise and resolve environmental engineering problems related to issues in a transportation context.
- Ability to work with project managers to avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts from assigned areas on projects.
- Broad knowledge of transportation noise science and regulations.
- Good planning and organizational skills.
- Knowledge of acoustics fundamentals and the ability to apply knowledge of complex acoustical engineering models.
- Knowledge of and ability to interpret environmental laws, regulations, policies, programs, and procedures related to transportation project delivery.
- Knowledge of highway engineering design principles.
- Knowledge of project planning, construction alternative analysis and coordination procedures and practices.
- Knowledge of transportation project development process and engineering design practices.
- Skill in project development and management of transportation projects.
- Skill in the use of computers and software applications to perform tasks which support VDOT operations.
- Skill in the use of computers to include ability to use MicroStation, CADD and other engineering technologies in the design of noise mitigation measures.
- Strong math, spreadsheet or database skills.
- Technical knowledge of environmental auditing principles and environmental management systems.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ability to apply knowledge of and ability to interpret state and federal environmental laws, regulations, policies, programs, and procedures related to noise science and acoustical issues.
- Ability to communicate effectively to include preparing, delivering presentations conveying technical reports to elected officials, agency heads and executives.
- Ability to coordinate complex projects with federal, state, local agencies and general public.
- Able to work as a team member and, or leader of inter-disciplinary teams under the pressure of deadlines.
- Broad knowledge of transportation noise science and regulations.
- Contract management skills.
- Experience reflecting the ability to manage complex noise projects. Ability to develop and manage project schedules and budgets.
- Knowledge of acoustics fundamentals and the ability to apply knowledge of complex acoustical engineering models.
- Knowledge of highway engineering design principles.
- Skilled in computers to include ability to use MicroStation, CADD and other engineering technologies in the design of noise mitigation measures.
Additional Considerations:
- A combination of training, experience or education in Engineering, Physics or related field desired.
- Experience in professional level environmental noise programs with a focus on being a part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Progressively responsible experience in professional level environmental programs involving acoustical related and noise impact studies responsibilities.
- Project management experience in the application of advanced and complex technical and scientific environmental principles and practices.
Click below to learn more about the Competency Model associated with this Position:
Competency Model (https://etgi.fa.us8.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_4005/pages/8012)
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements (https://covgov.sharepoint.com/SITES/VDOT-HR-ER/Physical%20Requirements/EnvironmentalSpecialist.xls)
VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics (https://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp)
Standards of Conduct (https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/hrpolicy/pol1-60--standards-of-conduct-eff-1-1-2025.pdf?sfvrsn=7c0d724e_0)
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements (https://covgov.sharepoint.com/SITES/VDOT-HR-ER/Physical%20Requirements/EnvironmentalSpecialist.xls)